Graceful, if familiar, lines hide the high-tech features Jaguar has stuffed inside its latest XJ sedan. It's no styling leap over past generations, but the car uses extensive aluminum construction, electronic gadgetry and all the finest wood and leather trimmings. The XJ enters '06 pretty much untouched from last year. It's still available in regular and long wheelbase trims, with some models sporting a 400-hp supercharged version of the AJ-V8. While it lacks that cutting-edge air of the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, the Jag is easily one of the most polished automobiles out there. It has a certain no-fuss, Old World, British sophistication that the Germans lack.

Elegant, no bothersome electronics

A bit too familiar in the styling department