Jaguar's XK model, whether in coupe or Convertible form, is a beautiful car. It also runs an excellent direct injection engine that makes it drivable on the track or around town. But it suffers from inferior cabin tech and some bad design decisions.
The current XK model heralded major design changes at Jaguar, borne out in the XF and XJ. Although this new model lineup was developed while Jaguar was owned by Ford, it is not being carried out under the auspices of new owner Tata.
The long torpedo nose of the XK is reminiscent of the legendary Jaguar E-type. This sleek design carries back to the rear fenders, which rise up as powerful haunches.
The XK Convertible uses a soft top, as opposed to the retractable hard tops being used by many competitors. This top offers good insulation from road noise.
The cabin of the XK Convertible lives up to Jaguar's luxury mission with its fine materials. We are particularly impressed that Jaguar uses very few plastic surfaces or buttons.
The navigation system and cabin tech interface need a lot of work. The DVD-based navigation system lacks advanced features such as traffic and 3D maps.
Instead of immediately showing a list of phone contacts, this interface first requires a letter input, followed by hitting the search button, a process that is too strained for car use.
