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- Exterior styling
- Luxurious interior
- Power and handling
- Quick-operating convertible top
- Responsive automatic transmission
- Base model's acceleration
- Tiny rear seats
- Some minor quality issues in test vehicles
All reviewers are enthusiastic about the 2008 Jaguar XK's beautiful styling, with only a quibble or two about its gaping oval grille. Writers compliment the Jaguar XK's agile handling and supple, comfortable ride. Steering, suspension, brakes and even the automatic transmission are well-engineered, most reviewers agree.
While the 420-horsepower supercharged variant, the Jaguar XKR, has plenty of power and quick acceleration, critics point out that the base model's 300-horsepower V-8 is not competitive with other cars in its price range. Many suggest that a better performance car for the money is the BMW 650i (*est. $76,600 to $83,700) or the Porsche 911 Carrera (*est. $73,500 to $100,000). The Jaguar's cabin is nicely finished and attractive, writers say, but the tiny rear seats are virtually unusable. Several reviewers report minor quality problems or malfunctions on their test vehicles.
The best article is Car and Driver magazine's detailed roundup of a long-term test of a 2007 Jaguar XK convertible. Car and Driver also features a dated but well-done comparison test of five upscale convertibles, including the 2007 XK, which is essentially identical to the 2008 model. Consumer Reports magazine has some worthwhile comments but no reliability data for the Jaguar XK.
Our Sources
1. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
Gillies reports on driving more than 40,000 miles in a 2007 Jaguar XK convertible, which is virtually the same as a 2008 model. Test drivers praise the car's overall performance, although some say it should be more powerful. Numerous electronic glitches are among the problems revealed.
Review: 2007 Jaguar XK Convertible – Long-Term Road Test, Mark Gillies, June 2008
2. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
The 2007 Jaguar XK places third in a five-way comparison, earning kudos for ride, handling and transmission. The test vehicle's convertible top produced wind noise and allowed a small water leak during a car wash test.
Review: 2006 BMW 650i vs. 2006 Cadillac XLR-V, 2007 Jaguar XK, 2007 M-B SL550, 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera, Barry Winfield, Aug. 2006
3. Edmunds.com
Editors are pleased with the Jaguar XK's styling, handling and smooth ride, but they note that the base model's acceleration is no match for that of such rivals as the BMW 6 Series or the Mercedes CLK-Class.
Review: 2008 Jaguar XK-Series Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
4. Cars.com
Wiesenfelder praises the Jaguar XK's responsive powertrain and claims the automatic transmission has "the absolute best Sport mode I've ever driven." The review also mentions several minor quality problems with the test vehicle.
Review: 2008 Jaguar XK Review, Joe Wiesenfelder, Oct. 9, 2007
Padgett calls the 2008 Jaguar XK "the brand's best mainstream car ever, with performance equal to its German competitors, and looks to beat them all." Among the few criticisms are the rear seats that are "nothing more than upholstered package shelves."
Review: 2008 Jaguar XK Review, Marty Padgett
ConsumerGuide.com recommends the 2008 Jaguar XK but criticizes its headroom and legroom for tall occupants, and it calls the rear seat "a token gesture." Overall, the review says that the XK is a good balance of sport and luxury.
Review: 2008 Jaguar XK Series Full Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, July 31, 2008
7. Edmunds.com
After track testing and subjective evaluations, the BMW 650i soundly beats the Jaguar XK. Although the Jaguar's styling is superior, the BMW performs better, costs less and is quieter, more comfortable, more refined and better engineered, Oldham says.
Review: Comparison Test: 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe vs. 2006 BMW 650i Coupe, Scott Oldham, June 28, 2006
8. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors base their review of the Jaguar XK on a 2007 XK8 convertible that is not significantly different from this year's model. There is insufficient data for Consumer Reports' usual historical reliability chart for the Jaguar.
Review: 2008 Jaguar XK Review, Editors of Consumer Reports
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