Jaguar XK 2011 Review

Price guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $224,200
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Test car was special 75th Anniversary edition – ten units reduced to $193,500. Sold out.
Crash rating: Five-stars (NCAP)
Fuel: 95 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 11.2
CO2 emissions (g/km): 264
Also consider: Audi S5; BMW 650i

About our ratings

It's pedantic to complain about a Jaguar with a left-handed indicator stalk. So call me pedantic, but I think it's too blatant a tilt at left-hand drive markets for this oh-so right-hand drive of marques to pass without comment. That out of the way, the XK is the most pedant-proof Jag in a long time. That's partly why it's played such a crucial role in getting the marque's brand equity up after years of neglect and, more recently, a few wrong turns.

The last three decades or so has seen Jaguar struggle to find the right mix of historical reference in its design language and high technology under the skin. Indeed, the XK is arguably the first model since the original XJ where the brand really got it right. It pays homage to the legendary E-Type, but with arm's length respect, appropriate to the 40-year gap between the two cars.

This is a fabulously beautiful car. It's also, in the manner of the finest gentleman's grand tourers, utterly impractical. Its footprint is enormous for what is realistically a two-seater. Yes, it has a rear seats but they are useless for anything but coats and handbags. Adding insult to injury, they don't even fold to extend this very big car's already limited (330 litre) boot space.

But in the execution of its intended function, the XK comes out very well indeed. It's quick, agile and luxurious – in short, a feast for the senses.

Most of them, anyway... I found the steering a tad light and short on feel, particularly at straight ahead. In that respect it's outperformed by XF models coming in around half its price. But it's nice and sharp on turn-in, especially in Dynamic (sport) mode, dialled in with via a chequered flag button on the console.

Indeed, the XK's low centre of gravity and broad stance give it great assurance with manageable understeer, very little body roll and loads of grip. The best proof of its chassis prowess is that it feels smaller than it is. That's thanks in part to an electronically controlled active diff, which varies torque distribution between the (rear) drive wheels with changes in conditions and input.

While the XK takes up too much real estate for serious sporting intent, power-to-weight is impressive. The upgraded 5.0-litre V8's 283kW and 515Nm carry a relatively modest 1660kg thanks to Jaguar's extensive use of aluminium. Even in Dynamic mode, it's no XK-R, but it's fast enough.

In the parlance of that other brand, joy is paddling the ZF six-speeder autobox down to second and hammering it out of a 25-kay corner.

Jaguar claims 5.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h, and the soundtrack is glorious enough that you'll do it whenever you can. With the windows down! The sensation is helped by a laudable absence of wind and road noise, even at speed.

Enjoy yourself and you'll never get acquainted with the claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 11.2L/100km. We didn't. Several hundred kilometres of city driving with an overnighter to the Blue Mountains yielded figures in the high 14s.

Entry and exit to the front seats are easy and graceful – no Fosbury flopping into a seat 50mm above ground. Cabin ambience is a 21st century Jag mix of leather, timber, brushed aluminium and chrome, all under a canopy of suede-like fabric. The chairs are comfy, well bolstered and adjustable through all the planes you'd expect of a $200K luxe tourer, though recline room is limited by the lip of the rear seat.

The gimmicky door-mounted adjustment switching is an invitation for possible trouble, however... Just one more set of synapses to go wrong somewhere down the track. That said, the equally gimmicky cardio-pulse start button and the pop-up rotor switch for the transmission can stay, because they're... kinda nice.

The XK's multifunction touchscreen controlling audio (a premium B&W package), satnav, phone, HVAC and computing functions is starting to show its age. It's a bit hesitant at times and not as intuitive as some competing product. It's mitigated by other thoughtful touches like Jaguar's approach to active cruise control which adds a separate speed limiter button on the console to properly cap the velocity when you need.

Rear vision isn't a high point, thanks to the rake of the rear windscreen and some of the broadest C-pillars in the business. Few cars on the road would benefit more from a reversing camera. Given its standard on the XF and XJ, it's hard to see what makes it so difficult to fit here.

All that's left to carp about is the boot-mounted CD stacker whose lid proved infuriatingly difficult to close – the only flaw in its otherwise up-to-the-price craftsmanship. There's no spare – just the Instant Mobility System tyre repair kit. But experience has shown these systems to be trustworthy, especially in a car like this, that's unlikely to leave tar.

The second-generation XK is now six years old, but to traditionalists it'll reman fresh for some time yet. Especially since its faults are minor and overshadowed by its soulful engine, accomplished chassis dynamics and beautiful interior. But I suspect the finest moment of ownership will come not behind the wheel, but each time you get out and look over your shoulder as you walk away from it.

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