Jaguar XK

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Jaguar XK overall verdict

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‘For years I’ve been trying to like Jaguar for reasons other than sentiment. And now I can. Think of the XK as a cheap Aston.’
Our buying tip

Before you buy an Aston V8 Vantage, just try an XKR and think hard about what you could do with the saving.

The Jaguar XK is the car that began the turnaround of Jaguar’s fortunes. Fabulous to drive, has great street presence and the quality to match more expensive rivals. A Jaguar XKR in the same breath as an Aston Martin Vantage V8? Actually yes.

Comfort

The XK instantly feels more forgiving than its rivals no matter what arena you pick for it. Strangely, even the 20-inch wheels don't destroy the ride, so we'd always advise going big. The convertible was created alongside the coupe, so it suffers from virtually no scuttle shake.
Performance

The XK is relatively light at under 1600kg (coupe), so motivation from either the normally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 or the supercharged XKR 4.2 is more than adequate. You lose tenths for the convertible, but with the stock 4.2 hitting 62mph in just 5.9 seconds and on to 155mph and the ‘R' sprinting to 62mph in 5.0 dead, you won't lose any face at the traffic lights.
Cool

Overwhelms the previous XK decisively. All of a sudden an XK isn't a golf-course staple - this is a cool car again.
Quality

Jaguar has tried hard with the XK, and the quality is way, way up even though it's treading a fine line with the wood and tech interior. Early cars had an awful electric post aerial, but that's a distant memory...
Handling

Slightly more comfort-orientated than a Porsche 911, the XK is still one of the most exciting cars to drive that Jaguar has ever made. Poised, comfortable, alive - it has the big GT game pretty much wrapped up, especially in XKR form. It can't stay with the Germans at the absolute limit, but the compromises for daily life are infinitely better judged. The convertible is equally at home.
Practicality

Technically this is a 2+2, but you'd have to be really sadistic to want to put anyone in the back - leave the hitchhikers on the hard shoulder. Given that the old XK was a lesson in ‘big car, small interior' packaging, the new version is a joy - great room for tallies in the front and a hatchback in the rear, making for a really quite practical sports GT.
Running costs

Tax is 35percent, fuel consumption is mid to low-20s and insurance either Group 19 or 20 depending on your supercharger or lack of roof. Not cheap, but residuals are good.