IN THE 'spoilt for choice' world of luxury cars the Jaguar XJ has a massive advantage over the competition and it's not the endorsement of a former fist-flinging deputy Prime Minister.
The real charm of this car as well as being relatively cheap, is that it's as British as red telephone boxes and fish and chips - well almost, the current owners are Indian and the ones before, American.
But it is one of very few cars in the world that has an unmistakable air of authority.
It may not have some of the standard bells and whistles of the big Japanese competitors like fridges, massaging seats and reversing cameras, but it does have bags of style, grace and superb performance - and it won't put such a huge hole in you wallet or purse.
Throw in the fact that this aluminium-built British beauty is diesel and it you can add the word economy to luxury.
Everyone has been rightly raving about the fine XK and the superb XF, but the XJ is still the worthy flagship for this prestige brand.
Everyone who peeks inside will be impressed with the interior, which matches up to the carefully sculpted exterior.
It is a riot of the hand-stitched leather, top-notch solid wood trim and the thick carpets that we have come to expect from the big cat brand.
Controls are solid, simple, easy to use and lifted up with the 21st century addition of the touch screen audio, sat-nav and TV central console.
The engine is so refined that it's hard to believe it's diesel and it's not just the internal soundproofing keeping it quiet.
Even when you wind down the windows there is barely a sound of diesel clatter.
The power is on tap and whilst it is comfortable cruising there is a 204bhp of muscle for brisk acceleration.
The best bit about the engine is the claimed 35mpg figures, which were more or less accurate on a week of driving.
All of the XJs have air springs and computerised damping to adjust to the ride and the steering, braking aids and the light body weight makes it surprisingly responsive on the twisting roads and tight corners.
I said earlier that it did not quite have an extensive list of spec, but perhaps that is a little unfair because there is still plenty of standard kit.
The test car featured expensive alloys, the navigation kit, rear and front parking sensors, CD-changer, rain-sensing wipers, climate control with air conditioning and all of that leather and wood.
In terms of safety the XJ's front-seat passengers are protected by six airbags, while those in the rear are shielded by curtain air bags.
There is a full set of electronic braking, cornering and traction aids as standard and there are ISOFIX rear seats.
Space and comfort are the whole point of this car and nobody should be disappointed on that front.
It is also considerably cheaper than some of the big competitors, with the entry-level hovering at around £40,000.
On reliability and the sell-on potential there should be absolutely no worries and the only negatives I could find is the small boot and the cheap looking analogue clock.
The XJ is an outstanding limousine with great spec, space, comfort and fuel figures, perhaps that's why John Prescott had two.
FAST FACTS
Jaguar XJ 2.7 TDVi Sovereign
Price: £50,472
Mechanical: 204bhp, 2,720cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 141mph
0-62mph: 8.2 secs
Insurance group: 17
Combined mpg: 35.7
CO2 emissions: 209g/km
BiK rating: 32%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 3yrs paint, 6yrs anti-rust