The 2014 Jaguar XK Lowdown.
The 2014 Jaguar XK is a car with an impeccable pedigree, fantastic looks and an engine that looks and sounds sublime. It just so happens that the Jaguar XK is a real pleasure to drive as well. This is achieved with the help of a clever automatic gearbox and Jaguar’s all-singing, all-dancing Active Dynamics system. You get what you pay for of course: the Jaguar XK is one of those cars where motorists are likely to look closely at the possibility of removing the unpleasant sting of heavy outright purchase options by checking out car lease deals.
The Look and Feel
Matt Saunders has written this Jaguar XK review for Autocar. He says “The Jaguar XK remains one of the most desirable all-rounders in its class”
Jaguar fans should by now be pretty familiar with the distinct character of the 2014 Jaguar XK. It’s now undergone some tweaking on the drawing board – although fortunately nothing has been added to mess with a winning formula. On the outside, the headlights have been slimmed down slightly and now incorporate LEDs running alongside slightly more intricately designed reflectors. A large oval grille dominates the front – either side of which features a pair of small air scoops for feeding air to the brakes. Horizontal vents are also mounted on each wing. The effect is to give the 2014 Jaguar XK a lower and longer appearance. The back meanwhile has also been enhanced with new LEDs and a ‘leaping’ Jaguar badge.
The classic finish that you’d expect from a Jaguar cabin is all present and correct with the XK. It’s undergone a minor spruce-up and buyers can now get sculpted leather sports seats as an optional extra. There’s a choice of wood or aluminium trim inserts – depending on whether you want an old-world or somewhat more contemporary finish. One complaint with earlier incarnations was a somewhat limited boot when compared with other cars in the same class. The current build now offers 330 litres of boot space (313 litres for the convertible). Take note that if you’re looking for car leasing deals on a vehicle for multi-passenger car pooling, the 2014 Jaguar XK probably isn’t for you: even kids are likely to feel cramped in what are effectively ‘occasional’ rear seats.
Performance and Drive
The figures speak for themselves: the supremely capable 5-litre V8 380 bhp engine on the 2014 Jaguar XK coupe will get you from 0-60 mph in a matter of just 60 mph. The car is capable of a limited top speed of 155 mph. You’re guaranteed never to tire of the sound of the engine either: it gets impressively angrier as you move up the rev range. Jaguar has been careful to make it easy for you to get the most out of the engine too. The Active Dynamics system features a computer that effectively examines your steering and the road conditions 150 times a second to determine whether you need a luxurious ride or lots of grip. What’s more, instead of using the gear stick to switch, why not move up and down the 6-speed gearbox using the paddles mounted on the steering wheel?
Options and Cost of Ownership
If you’re looking to see where the 2014 Jaguar XK is positioned in terms of car lease deals, expect to pay less than with the Mercedes SL500 – but a similar amount (at the bottom of the XK range at least) as the BMW 650i.
The main choice is between Coupe and Convertible in either the XK or XKR. So far as outright purchase price is concerned, you can expect to pay a premium of around £6000 if you opt for a convertible. At entry level, the 380 bhp V8 XK costs in the region of £65,000. At the higher end of the scale, you won’t see much change out of £80,000 for the supercharged 510 bhp V8 XKR.
There is however a pretty impressive list of bits and pieces that come as standard (which is something you need to take into account when comparing the prices in the XK range to those of its rivals). This impressive standard spec includes traction control and TRAC stability control, six airbags, adaptive cruise control, highly sophisticated ABS and a ‘keyless’ smart key system.
Motorists won’t be flocking for car leasing deals on the 2014 Jaguar XK for reasons of efficiency: you can optimistically expect to average between 23 and 25 mpg depending on the model you opt for.
The final word
The Jaguar XK is always going to be a prime contender within an exclusive class – thanks in no small part to the fact that it’s such a sheer pleasure to drive. What’s more; low depreciation makes it an excellent option for car leasing deals.
The 2014 Jaguar XK- what do you think?
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
