2014 Jaguar XK Review

For 2014, the Jaguar XK line sees the addition of the track-ready, very limited-edition XKR-S GT coupe. Only 25 are slated to be sold in the U.S.

The 2014 Jaguar XK provides the luxury and performance expected from the legendary marque. It does have a few practicality issues, but they rarely detract from a very pleasurable motoring experience.

The 2014 Jaguar XK will easily charm you with its sensuous styling, magnificent engines, athletic performance and handsome cabin fitted with all the latest electronic features. Yet despite all this, this cat has been something of a dark horse choice for a luxury sport coupe and convertible. We can speculate as to why the XK has been overlooked. Perhaps it's the questionable reliability reputation of Jaguars past. Or maybe the XK simply got off on the wrong foot, as its performance and cabin design weren't nearly as impressive when this car first appeared in 2007. In any event, the 2014 Jaguar XK deserves a shot from those shopping this segment.

One of the XK's many desirable attributes is what you'll find under the hood. Even the base XK sports nearly 400 horsepower, while moving up to the XKR gets you a boost to 510 hp. Go all out with the XKR-S or new XKR-S GT and there's pavement-wrinkling 550 hp at your command. The latter two models will overwhelm the rear tires (and an inattentive, overly enthusiastic driver) with exuberance. All engines are splendidly smooth and produce a glorious V8 soundtrack as you surge forward.

Complementing the XK's muscular engines is a finely tuned suspension that delivers impressive handling while still proving a compliant and poised ride. The steering is similarly praiseworthy, and the car's relatively lightweight aluminum architecture makes the XK feel like a featherweight compared with the hefty BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. Bear in mind, though, that the all-new Jaguar F-Type convertible is also available for 2014, and it offers even sharper reflexes that are more on par with Porsche's convertible offerings.

Although value isn't necessarily your first consideration when shopping for a luxury coupe or convertible, there's no denying that the 2014 Jaguar XK's pricing is attractive for this class. When new, the XK starts out at about five grand less than a base Porsche 911 and is right in the mix with BMW's 6 Series. Those competitors also typically require multiple extra-cost options to match the Jag's generous list of standard equipment. The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class costs significantly more than the base XK convertible (although its performance, price and equipment line up more closely with the XKR). Finally, given that the XKR-S surpasses the performance of much costlier Aston Martins, the Jag's value proposition becomes even more compelling. Whether it's this relative affordability or the straight-line performance that grabs your attention, this oft-overlooked Jaguar belongs on your test-drive list.

The 2014 Jaguar XK is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 385 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque. As with every XK, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic are standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city/24 mpg highway). The convertible achieves 18 mpg combined (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway).

More power is available from the XKR, which gets a supercharged version of the same engine to bring output up to 510 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds performance testing, an XKR convertible went from zero to 60 in a very rapid 4.5 seconds (the lighter coupe should be a smidge quicker). EPA-estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg combined (15 mpg city/22 mpg highway) for the coupe and 17 mpg combined (15 mpg city/22 mpg highway) for the convertible.

The 2014 Jaguar XKR-S and XKR-S GT get a more powerful version of the supercharged 5.0-liter good for 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds testing, the standard XKR-S coupe went from zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds. The difference in acceleration numbers between the XKR-S and XKR may appear insignificant, but the former is limited by traction at the drag strip. Believe us, power is prodigious on the XKR-S and it feels much quicker. Fuel economy ratings are identical to those of the standard XKR.

Standard safety equipment on the 2014 XK lineup includes traction and stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags and active front head restraints. Side curtain airbags are not offered. The convertible adds pop-up rollover bars.

In Edmunds brake testing, an XKR with 19-inch wheels and tires (a no-cost option on this trim) came to a stop from 60 mph in 111 feet, which is a typical distance for this class of car. The XKR-S was about the same.

The current lineup of V8 engines has created an entirely new definition of Jaguar performance. Even the base XK is impressively potent, with near-instant response and a wide, muscular power band. The supercharged XKR, meanwhile, is a monster, and it can accelerate as rapidly as some of the world's best sports cars.

If the XKR is a monster, then we're not sure what that makes the XKR-S and XKR-S GT -- some sort of Union Jack-waving Mothra, perhaps. You'll need to go easy on the throttle while moving out from a stop; otherwise, you'll likely set the tires spinning futilely as the traction control struggles to rein in all that torque. These cars demand to be driven with respect, and they'll reward your efforts, as their increased abilities yield truly impressive overall performance.

It's no surprise that the 2014 Jaguar XK is an impressive straight-line cruiser. The XK might not be as responsive as a Porsche 911 or Jaguar's new F-Type on a curvy road, but it's more nimble than the latest BMW 6 Series. Ride quality on the XKR-S and XKR-S GT is expectedly firmer than that of the regular XKR, but it's still surprisingly comfortable and suitable for road trips.

The 2014 Jaguar XK's cockpit is well tailored and inviting, with special touches like a rotary gear selector that rises out of the center console upon start-up. There are some ergonomic glitches, however. The multipurpose touchscreen that operates audio, climate, navigation and phone systems works fairly well, but still isn't as user-friendly as some competing systems. Another downside involves the rear seats, which are cramped even for small children. The cabin can also be a little claustrophobic, with a rakish greenhouse and slim windows making the Jag feel more akin to an Aston Martin than a BMW 6 Series.

The XK's power soft top takes a scant 18 seconds to lower and is well insulated for a quiet ride when deployed. The XK coupe's trunk can hold 11.7 cubic feet of cargo -- much larger than the trunks of the 911 and Mercedes SL-Class and just slightly smaller than that of the 6 Series. With the top down, the XK convertible can still hold a respectable 7.1 cubic feet.