2007 Jaguar XK-Series Review

PROS Undeniably sexy shape, Graceful on-road poise, User-friendly interior

CONS Useless back seat, Some cut-rate interior bits, Lagging transmission

Not just a pretty face Long known for sexy styling and a supple ride, Jaguar's personal luxury car is completely redesigned for 2007. Compared to the outgoing model the new XK is one inch longer, four inches wider, and sports a seven-inch longer. Though exterior dimensions grow, weight is down by almost 300 pounds, thanks to an extensive use of aluminum for most major body panels.

XK again comes in coupe or convertible form and competes with luxury coupes like the BMW 6-Series, Cadillac XLR, Lexus SC, and Mercedes-Benz SL. Coupes eschew the previous generation's trunk for a hatchback design, while convertibles carry on with a power-operated fabric soft top with glass rear window.

Two models are offered XK and XKR. Both have a 4.2-liter V8. XK's is naturally aspirated and produces 300 horsepower; the XKR's is supercharged to the tune of 420 horsepower. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Standard steering-wheel-mounted paddles allow for manual shifting between gears.

XK standard features include dual-zone climate controls, navigation system, power tilt-telescope steering wheel, leather upholstery, wood trim, heated seats, keyless entry with pushbutton starting, high-intensity-discharge headlamps, electronic-adjusting suspension, and alloy wheels. XKR models eschew the wood interior trim for aluminum and add steering-linked headlamps, a sport suspension, and larger wheels and tires.

Key options include 16-way power front seats, adaptive cruise control, and Alpine sound system with satellite radio.

Coupes list for $74,835 (XK) and $85,835 (XKR) and convertibles have an MSRP of $80,835 (XK) and $91,835 (XKR). All models have a destination charge of $665.

Get up and Go
Jaguar quotes a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds for the XK coupe. That number is likely accurate as the silky V8 provides plenty of acceleration off the line and exceptional passing punch.

The automatic transmission upshifts as smoothly as any in the industry. In automatic mode, the transmission is slow to downshift for additional power. Tall fifth and sixth gears dictate a painfully slow double downshift in highway passing situations. When operating in the manual mode, the transmission responds to driver input almost instantaneously, which translates into much more controllable bursts of speed.

The XK is EPA rated at 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway--impressive numbers for a fast and large luxury coupe. In routine driving expect to average about 20 mpg, perhaps as much as 22 mpg if your commute includes plenty of highway miles. According to Jaguar, the XK's V8 requires more-expensive premium-grade fuel.

On the Road
It would be easy to call the ride of the XK supple and be done with it, but that wouldn't tell half of the story. The XK is perhaps the first car to successfully incorporate high-performance, low-profile tires into a suspension that rides nearly as smoothly as a luxury sedan.

Sure, the long wheelbase helps deliver a composed highway ride, but it is the well-designed suspension that handles subtle bumps and large bumps with aplomb. R models, with their 19-inch tires, ride more firmly, but, in base form, it's hard to imagine a smoother riding luxury coupe, regardless of price.

It would be enough if the XK just rode well, but it also holds the road like a sports coupe. When driven quickly on twisting roads or highway entrance ramps, it presents a confident and well-balanced attitude. Though you never get away from that big-car feel, steering impresses with a natural feel and firm weight and brakes are arrestingly strong.

XK rides with impressive quietness. There's little wind or engine noise on coupe models, and road noise only distracts when the pavement is particularly coarse. Top up, convertible models are as quiet as most coupes. Top down, there's little wind turbulence at speeds under 60 mph.

Functionally, the XK may be the most livable Jaguar in history. Major controls fall close to hand and are clearly marked. Secondary controls are well lit at night and easily visible. Even the navigation system is easy to program and works flawlessly. Unlike some competitors, Jaguar was smart to include redundant controls for commonly used audio and climate functions. This greatly reduces the amount of time spent scrolling through display screens that's so common in luxury competitors.

Front seats are comfortable and supportive, but are also somewhat confining. This is not unusual in coupes, but obviously worth noting. Head room is good and leg room excellent. The driving position is somewhat laidback, but the tilt-telescope steering wheel helps just about anyone get comfortable.

Hatchback design of coupe more useful than trunk ever was. Opening is narrow and trunk not very deep, but there's still more useful cargo space in the XK than in most competitors. Sadly, the rear seats don't fold to increase cargo space. Interior storage is tight--as expected--but at least the cupholders are useful.

Bottom Line It is quite possible that the Jaguar XK coupe is the sexiest car on the planet. The lines, the bulges, the scoops, it is the modern incarnation of the Venus de Milo. The fact that the car performs as well as it looks is just as impressive.

Through the use of modern technology and metallurgy, Jaguar was able to retain the subtle and refined ride and add a fair amount of handling prowess. And, there's no denying that XK's V8 is as powerful and refined as any in the class.

Further setting XK apart is the tasteful blend of old-world charm and new technology in the interior. If Jaguar could just upgrade a few of the interior materials and perhaps make it a little easier to get in and out of, the XK might be the perfect luxury coupe.