2010 Jaguar XK

Maybe I’m repeating myself, but you just can’t go wrong with a convertible Jag. This week marks the third time I’ve had the Jaguar XK convertible for a week’s test-drive, and it’s the third time I’ll tell you what a fun car this is.

Now, fun is not without its price – and you’ll pay about $90,000 for the Jaguar XK convertible. But if you’re shopping that price range and looking for a mighty road machine for a top-down tour of Route 66 or the Trans-Canadian highway, you simply must test-drive the XK before you make your decision.

British cars still suffer from a perception of unreliability. Honestly, that was never truly the case, but the notion persists. Yet Jaguar gained a lot from its time as a member of the Ford family, and it has not lost any of that benefit since its transition back to an independent automaker owned by the Tata company of India. The Jaguars you get today have a lot of Ford DNA, and that shows up in the form of proven high-power engine and drivetrain combinations and manufacturing know-how.

The 2010 XK uses a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 385 horsepower. That’s mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. For a manual, you need to go to the 510 horsepower XKR coupe. But really, this is a fast cruising comfortable convertible, not a fire-breathing track monster. Fuel economy is actually a respectable 16/24 MPG, which isn’t bad considering the size, weight, and engine power of the big Jag.

The interior and convertible top are all very nice – classic Jaguar stuff with just enough Ford influence showing through that you already know how to work the controls. But the real joy of the XK is in the driving. The long wheelbase and low-slung chassis are stable, fast, and comfortable. Handling is fine and sporty – once again, this isn’t a hot rod supercar, but rather an excellent gentleman’s road car.

One thing I have to single out for praise is the exhaust note – with the top down, you get this fantastic burble from the engine that brings to mind the great Jaguar racing history and just begs you to get on the throttle and zoom away to points distant over lonely country roads.

The price tag will keep the Jaguar XK from being a car you see everywhere you go, but the bottom line is this: if you’re shopping Corvettes, Vipers, and other high-end convertibles, you really owe it to yourself to check out the big cat.

Written by Jeff Zurschmeide of northwestautoreview.com