2012 & 2013 Jaguar Coupe Reviews & Ratings

No other make of car can be better associated with the top end of the luxury coupe market than Jaguar. Coming out of the United Kingdom, Jaguar has been producers of luxury cars for close to a century, with some of their coupe gems being the iconic D- type of the nineteen fifties and the fabulous E-type in the sixties.

Jaguar have long been synonymous in combining beauty and power into a single package, just like that magnificent beast that they have been named after. After many yea... (full review continues below)

No other make of car can be better associated with the top end of the luxury coupe market than Jaguar. Coming out of the United Kingdom, Jaguar has been producers of luxury cars for close to a century, with some of their coupe gems being the iconic D- type of the nineteen fifties and the fabulous E-type in the sixties.

Jaguar have long been synonymous in combining beauty and power into a single package, just like that magnificent beast that they have been named after. After many years as an independent, Jaguar went through a period of transition, during which their reputation became sadly tarnished. However in recent years they have recovered their status, after becoming part of the Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover subsidiary.

As is often the case Jaguar have re-established their position in the luxury coupe sector by re-instating a model, at least in name only, that was the backbone of their success in the halcyon days of the nineteen fifties. Their current coupes are now released under the XK lineup, with two variations on offer.

Although slightly dated in true terms, because Jaguar went for a modern interpretation of the Fifties XK shape, their design is a true classic that, according to some reviews, is not due to be updated for at least another five years. And why should they, after having designed and produced as good a looking coupe that you will find on the roads today, and stands strong comparison to the best of its famous predecessors.

In keeping with its image, the more powerful XKR has been handed some detail finishes that step it up half a league from the XK. Integral fog lamps are one of them as well as small hood vents that give an impression of added power, completed by twin exhaust tips. Sadly the world famous Jaguar emblem, that adorned all their coupes for decades, has become a thing of the past. Like so many other icons items, they had become a major collector's item, with some of the "collectors" not really caring how they manage to "collect "the item, causing too much damage.

The Jaguar XK series can either come as an XK or XKR fixed head coupe with convertible versions also available. Irrespective of the model, all the coupes and convertibles in the range come with a five liter V8 engine paired with a six speed automatic transmission as standard. The significant difference between the two is that XK is (only) capable of creating 385 horsepower, while the XKR's supercharged engine will churn out a mouth- watering 510 horsepower that will go from 0-60 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds.

Inside the XKs, there is more than enough room for the driver and front seat passenger, although those who are dispatched to the back seat might find the thrill of the ride swiftly fading as leg cramps will soon begin to start in.

When it comes to the interior of either of the Jaguar XK coupes, the sky is really the limit with levels of technology and luxury that give a very strong indication of the market that Tata are looking for with these vehicles. Even the standard finish on the most basic XK is mind boggling high, and those who really want to indulge themselves can add extras that defy the imagination and will test the bank balance of just about anyone who will need to ask the price.

Main rivals at this, the ultimate end of the motoring scale, takes in Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes, and Audi.