While the glorious new F-type sports car might have stolen
some of the limelight, the 2015 Jaguar XK lineup remains one of the most
gorgeous and desirable grand-touring cars on the market.
Quick Specs
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Gas Mileage : 16 mpg City/24 mpg Hwy
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Engine : Premium Unleaded V-8, 5.0 L
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EPA Class : Minicompact Cars
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Style Name : 2dr Cpe
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Drivetrain : Rear Wheel Drive
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Passenger Capacity : 4
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Passenger Doors : 2
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Body Style : 2dr Car
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Transmission : Transmission: 6-Speed ZF 6HP28
Automatic -inc: Jaguar sequential shift
Review
The 2015 Jaguar XK lineup is here for one more model year;
but with the more rambunctious F-Type here in many versions and variants, it's
taken a step back from center stage. While the XK models (and the
higher-performance XKR and XKR-S variants) remain exciting grand-touring cars,
the F-Type is what truly has eager enthusiasts queuing up.
In the meantime, with an all-new XK more than a year away,
the 2015 Jaguar XK continues to show its strengths for those who want more of a
luxury tack, skipping the F-Type's rorty, more direct demeanor in favor of
something a little more elegant. It's all wrapped in a sleek and sexy shell,
offering a uniquely British experience. The cabin of the XK got minor updates
last year, but mostly carries forward unchanged since its 2007 debut. Simple
shapes, relatively few buttons, and straightforward organization are hallmarks
that every brand should aspire to. Wood or metallic trim elements, sumptuous
leathers, and knurled knobs make the controls and touch surfaces as tactile as
they are beautiful.
As a coupe or convertible, the 2015 XK is all-aluminum, so
it performs better than its plush presentation might suggest; and there's a
sporty quality to its handling that's often lost in the translation from sports
car to larger grand tourer. With a complement of V-8 engines, the XK's
performance sounds authoritative but not too flamboyant, and its
385-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 moves it confidently and quickly. Rear-wheel
drive delivers optimum handling dynamics, and a six-speed paddle-shifted
automatic handles the gear changes. The supercharged XKR sports 510 horsepower,
cutting zero to 60 mph times from 5.2 to 4.6 seconds. Stepping up even further,
you'll find the XKR-S, with 550 horsepower and a sharper suspension, along with
4.2-second 0-60 mph times and a top speed of 186 mph. All XK models use a
six-speed ZF automatic transmission with paddle-shift controls, and all drive
the rear wheels.
The XK certainly isn't all about power and speed. An
adjustable suspension can take the edge off the sportier side of life when
desired, and the cockpit is comfortable, elegant, and warm. Wood and metallic
trim, natural leather hides, plush carpeting, and well-formed seats give the
luxury look and feel you expect from Jaguar. Billed as a two-plus-two, but
effectively a two-seater with seat-shaped parcel shelves behind the front row,
the Jaguar XK is nevertheless comfortable and relatively spacious for those two
passengers. The trunk is rather small, though coupes fare better than
convertibles, with 11 cubic feet of space to the drop-tops' 9 cu. ft. In
Convertibles especially, the style-focused rear end looks great, but leaves
little room for hard-sided suitcases--weekend getaways will be best achieved
with soft, and smallish, duffels.
Neither one of the U.S. agencies that do crash-testing has
rated the Jaguar XK, which is common with low-volume, premium vehicles. But its
bonded-aluminum, aerospace-style construction is touted as a superior layout
for occupant protection; it also includes a full set of standard airbags, the
rearview camera, and electronic stability and traction control. A rearview
camera was added as a standard item last year, joining front and rear parking
sensors as compulsory equipment. Coupes also have curtain airbags, while
optional safety equipment on the lineup includes adaptive headlights and active
cruise control.
The XK's infotainment system--particularly the
touchscreen-driven interface--is where you'll find the XK to lag its rivals.
But otherwise its feature set is top-notch, and if you're willing to spend some
extra money on things like the excellent Bowers & Wilkins sound system,
you'll be rewarded.
The 2015 Jaguar XK Touring is essentially the base model of
the lineup, available as a coupe or a convertible and including a premium sound
system with satellite radio, rearview camera, heated 10-way power adjustable
front seats, parking sensors, steering-wheel audio and phone controls, keyless
entry and push-button start, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, navigation,
leather upholster, and power accessories. The performance-oriented XKR gets the
standard XK equipment, and gains additions that are largely focused on traction
and handling, though it also gets Adaptive Front Lighting dynamic headlights,
HD Radio, and unique Jaguar R styling elements inside and out. And for the
hardcore XK driver, the XKR-S takes the XKR's features and adds numerous
performance features, plus 16-way power adjustable leather performance seats, a Poltrona Frau leather headliner, and
bright stainless steel pedals.