return to reviews2012 Jaguar XKR convertible
June 2012
| Reviewed By | Chad Tyson |
| Price as Tested | $116,125 |
| Likes | Tremendous poise and power (520 hp and 461 lbs/ft). The XKR is a remarkable meld of sports car and grand tourer with impressive response and precise control. A dream on a coastal highway. Absolutely gorgeous Italian Racing Red paint. Quick operation of convertible roof (18 seconds). Dynamic mode's exhaust note sounds fantastic. 525 watt Bowers and Wilkins audio system can easily be heard with top down at 55 mph. The cabin's fit and finish is top notch. |
| Dislikes | Seating — the front seats are uncomfortable for three-hour-plus drives and the back seats are impractical. The space would be better served if the car was strictly a two-seater and the difference was used as trunk space. $450 option for red-painted brake calipers! The touchscreen is a bit slow to respond, and distracting while driving. |
| Verdict | "Proof that pavement-peeling performance can also be luxurious" is the tagline Jaguar uses on the XKR. Effortless to drive when you want to cruise, and engaging when you want it. It isn't a big deal to jump in the car during a Northwest downpour or an 85 degree day. But then for a $116k car that isn't a race car, that should be a given.The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is truly a beast; credit Jaguar's engineers they managed to get decent fuel economy from it. Jaguar put together a package that is competitive in two out three areas — pricing, performance and styling — with each of their rivals. Impressive considering the rivals are Porsche's 911, BMW 6 series, Aston Martin's DB9 and the Mercedes-Benz SL-class. |
| Fun to Drive |  |
| Fun to Look at |  |
| Overall Experience | |
| Stats | |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 510 horsepower |
| Torque | 463 lbs/ft |
| Zero to Sixty Time | 4.6 seconds |
| Max Speed | 155 mph (electronically limited) |
| EPA Mileage | 15 city/22 highway |