PROS
Luxury-car substance and style, Solid structure, Top-notch interior
CONS High price tag, Wash-out map display, Meager cargo room
Perfecting the cat within the XK
Starting back in 1948 with the Jaguar XK120, this famous British marque has produced some of the world's greatest luxury sports cars. The XK120 was not only the fastest sports car of its day; it also started a golden era for personal luxury coupes. Adding a tough of luxury to the sports-car equation was the timeless Jaguar E-Type in 1961. Then in 1996 the Jaguar XK8 arrived, completing the evolution of Jaguar's coupe from sports into grand touring car.
In 2007, Jaguar redesigned the XK, reaching back to add a bit of sports car heritage while trying to maintain its graceful grand-touring stature. Again available in coupe or convertible form, the new car retains its traditional front-engine, rear-drive layout. What's new is a chassis that has a seven-inch longer wheelbase and four inches more width. Despite the longer wheelbase the car is barely an inch longer overall and, thanks to aluminum-intensive construction, 300 pounds lighter.
Vehicle Tested |
2007 Jaguar XK convertible
Base Price: $80,835
As-Tested Price: $64,000
Built in Great Britain.
OptionsAdvanced Technology Package
Engine: DOHC 4.2-liter V4
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive Wheels: rear-wheel drive |
Two models are offered. The XK sports a 4.2-liter V8 engine that has 300 horsepower, six more than last year. The XKR adds a sport suspension and supercharger. The supercharged engine makes 420 horsepower, a gain of 30 over the previous year. Both engines come only with a 6-speed automatic transmission that for '07 adds steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual operation.Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, and front side airbags that provide chest and head protection. Convertibles add auto-deploying rollover bars designed to protect occupants in the event the vehicle tips on its roof and a power-operated top with glass rear window. Other standard equipment includes navigation system, Bluetooth cell-phone link, push-button starting, automatic-adjusting suspension, steed-sensitive steering, rain-sensing wipers, and high-intensity-discharge headlamps.
Get up and Go
Thanks to a weight reduction, more-powerful engine, and new transmission, Jaguar claims that the XK convertible will sprint from 0-60 mph in just 6.0 seconds. That's a full second better than the previous model. It's also a number that's not hard to believe after a quick turn behind the wheel. The V8 engine provides satisfying thrust at all speeds, but proves itself best in highway passing situations.
The engine also makes the right sounds. There's a slight V8 gurgle at idle that grows to a muted growl in hard acceleration. The sound is entirely appropriate for a car of this stature and is welcome at a time when many competitors "engineer" too much engine noise to compensate for inadequate performance.
The new transmission shifts seamlessly between gears and reacts quickly to subtle throttle inputs to call for one- and two-gear downshifts. The addition of steering-wheel-mounted paddles provide for even quicker gear changes or allow drivers to hold gears while arching through sweeping turns.
Fuel economy has never been a XK strong point, but Jaguar has taken pains to make the new XJ more economical than the previous model. EPA ratings of 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway are nothing to scoff at, given the XK's size and performance potential. In an even mix of city and highway driving, the XK will likely return about 20 mpg, perhaps 25 mpg on highway trips. Stifling the economy gain for '07 is Jaguar's requirement for premium-grade fuel. This effectively increases annual fuel costs by about 10-15%.On the Road
A comfortable ride has long been a trademark of Jaguar and the new XK is no exception. The XK's 18-inch wheels and automatically adjusting suspension deliver a delicate ride that's at once comfortable and controlled. The ride's never hard but sometimes quick bumps like expansions joints echo through the suspension without proper filtering.
Adding to the comfortable ride is a convertible body structure that's impressively rigid. Top up there's nary a shake or shimmy from the cowl area. Top down, a few creaks or groans can be heard on bumpy road from the rear suspension as it tries to keep pace with the front. Overall, the XK ragtop is one of the most solid convertibles available--at any price.
Jaguars are also known for nimble handling, and this big cat really responds when pushed. The car exudes confidence with its overall balance and impressive grip. No it's not as nimble as a true sports car, but certainly holds the road better than any driver ever needs.
The speed-sensitive steering has excellent feel and provides an appropriate amount of road feedback at highway speeds. It's also nicely weighted at parking speeds and, combined with an impressive turning circle, makes the XK easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Strong and sure brakes provide more than adequate stopping power.
Behind the Wheel Nicely padded front seats are welcoming and supportive and combine with a standard power tilt/telescope steering wheel to help drivers get comfortable behind the wheel. There's good leg room and better than average head room--for a convertible. The swept-back design, long doors, and low roofline make it a challenge to get in and out in parking lots, and the convertible top's large fabric C-pillars block the driver's view to the rear quarters.Don't expect to use the rear seats for more than parcel storage. There's scant leg room, even with the front seats pushed well forward, and headroom is tight for anyone over about 5-foot-6.
Wind buffeting with the top down at highway speeds is surprisingly minimal. Noise levels are low enough to carry on a "normal-tone" conversation, and women need not worry about getting their hair mussed. Jaguar also includes a wind blocker that further reduces buffeting and comes in handy on longer trips. Top up, there's a slight whistle around the rear-quarter windows, but otherwise the convertible is nearly as quiet as a conventional coupe.
The cockpit features well-positioned and easy-to-read gauges for vehicle and engine speed. Standard navigation system is well-intergraded into a seven-inch touch-screen display that also includes some functions for the audio and climate systems. While the system is thoughtful and easy to use, the video screen washes out in direct sunlight and also isn't as easy to operate at speed as traditional buttons and knobs.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results, 2007 Jaguar XK |
| Front Impact, Driver | NA |
| Front Impact, Passenger | NA |
| Side Impact, Driver | NA |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | NA |
| Rollover Resistance | NA |
Interior materials are top notch and wood and aluminum trim pieces add a touch of retro flair to the ambiance. In all, the interior befits a car that costs more than $80,000 and the materials wouldn't be out of place in a million-dollar home.Top down, trunk space is limited to just a few small overnight bags and perhaps a briefcase or two. There's certainly not room for a full-size golf bag. However, if you put the top up, you can slide back a fabric cover and increase trunk space to an acceptable 10.0 cubic feet. That is enough for a golf bag and perhaps a large duffle. Interior storage is aided by a large glovebox and door map pockets.
Bottom Line Jaguar has always offered a fantastic blend of luxury, performance, and elegance. The XK is no different. It's confident, good looking, and a performer. Jaguar needs to improve the visibility of the touch screen and perhaps simplify the control interface a bit, but otherwise, it's the best XK by far.
In convertible form, the XK lists for more than $80,000. That's in line with similar models at Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Some rivals offer retractable hard-tops that add a sense of security and perhaps status. Still, the XK is hard to beat--top up or down--for its blend of personal luxury, performance, and personality.
| Specifications, 2007 Jaguar XK |
| Dimensions | 2-door convertible | Engine | DOHC V8 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.3 | Size, liters/cu. in. | 4.2/256 |
| Length, in. | 188.6 | Horsepower @ rpm | 300 @ 6000 |
| Width, in. | 81.5 | Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm | 310 @ 4100 |
| Height, in. | 52.3 | Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Weight, lbs. | 3759 | EPA Estimates, mpg | 18 city/27 highway |
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft. | 10.0 | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.8 | Manufacturer's Warranty |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | Bumper-to-Bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.0 | Powertrain | None |
| Front Leg Room, in. | 43.0 | Corrosion | 6 years/unlimited miles |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 33.2 | Free Roadside Assistance | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Rear Leg Room, in. | 23.3 | Free Scheduled Maintenance | 1 years/12,000 miles |