2011 Jaguar XK

The 2011 Jaguar XK provides the luxury and comfort expected from the legendary marque as well as lofty levels of performance. It has a few quirks, but they rarely detract from the XK's very pleasurable motoring experience.The current-generation Jaguar XK heads into its fifth year of production with little substantial change. There's nothing to worry about, though, as the improvements made to last year's XK really sharpened up this car's performance, and the entire lineup continues to be an attractive choice among luxury sports cars.The direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 introduced last year is powerful yet smooth. Rated at 385 horsepower. Beyond the raw numbers, the V8's broad torque range allows the XK to be useful as either a long-distance cruiser or a back-road burner.Certainly the XK isn't wanting for power, and Jaguar backs it up with exceptional road manners. Jaguar Drive Control gives the driver a choice of three modes to alter such performance attributes as throttle response, shift speed and suspension settings. The adjustable suspension and adaptive dampers allow the XK to prowl quietly or cut corners like a cat on a shag rug.In general we're quite fond of the 2011 Jaguar XK and find it fully competitive (and a strong value) against already impressive players on the market. The XK isn't flawless -- its rear seats aren't particularly useful -- but its generous content, muscular performance and the panache that comes with an illustrious history certainly helps it stand out in a very illustrious crowd. -Edmund's Expert Review