Porsche 911 vs. Jaguar XKR-S
Here at CNET, we like to bring you a prizefight now and again that pits two products that millions of people are seriously crushed up and against each other.
This is not once of those occasions.
I'm Brian Cooley with this prizefight.
The all new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S against the 2012 Jaguar XKR-S.
About all they have in common is the S and that's what makes this so much fun.
Let me give you my take on how they compare head to head.
My first category is power.
It's the first thing people talk about with cars like these and patently unfair on its face.
I mean we're comparing a naturally S rated 911 to a super charged Jaguar but a funny thing happens when you box the numbers.
The Jag has 550 horsepower.
The Porsche 400.
Torque on the Jag is a monstrous 502 foot pounds, 325 on the 911.
But look at 0 to 60 times, 4.2 seconds on the Jag, 4.3 on the 911.
That's because of this, the weight.
The Jag weights 3968 (torque?) pounds.
The Porsche 3250.
That comes to a power of weight ratio of 7.2 pounds per horse on the Jag, 8.13 on the Porsche.
So, I'd like to give it to the Porsche for more elegant engineering but the Jag comes on like freight train and takes it on the numbers.
Next category is Cabin Tech, neither of these cars are the paragon of Cabin Tech or interface thereof but the Jag system is a certified mess.
It's a cluttered laggy interface, pointless and annoying screen animation and has no (aux?) jack or Bluetooth streaming.
So, if you don't have an iPhone, you're stuck with CD's the radio or that dummy in the passenger seat.
Give this one to Porsche.
On to styling, the Jag is as the English might say, all target up.
Being a specialty model,l it's been de-chromed.
It's got a (voyeur?) racer body kit on it and a big old wing for Christ's sake.
It doesn't read well but in person.
It's a damn good looking car.
The 2012 911 is no slouch though.
It's got a new longer wheel base, short or front rear overhang and it's just a little wider.
The Jag makes a stronger statement but after the wow factor wears off, I'd rather be seen on the Porsche.
Give it to the 911.
Next category, (Cred?), Porsche.
Next, now on the practicality, you can get a 911 with all 4 wheels driven.
The Jag rear wheel drive only.
That makes a big difference if you live where you get wetter and this is gonna be your only car.
On the other hand, the 911 has just vestigial back seats and a deep but kinda oddly shaped front truck.
The Jag also has cruel little rear seats but thanks to its lift back design, it can swallow some golf clubs and more normal size luggage.
It's probably your better to live it weekend ride.
So, give it to Jag on this one.
On to the price and this is a real unfair comparison.
The Jag XKR-S is basically 132 grand with very few options to move that number.
The Carrera S is a little under 100 but the options can put it up at the Jag's price but by then you're juggling apples and oranges anyway.
I think the most telling factor is that none of us here on the CNET Car Tech Team could really get used to spending $132,000 on a Jaguar.
See cred above and residuals in a couple of years.
So, save a grip and give the nod to the 911.
Unto our winner, the score obviously is pretty lopsided 4 to 2 in categories in favor of the 911 but it's actually a lot closer than that.
Sort of like picking bourbon or ice cream.
You just wanna say yes.
We thought the Jag was going to be a poser and it's not.
It's a hot looking road taming barn burner and you're much more likely to put it to a stop light in a 911 and see one right next to you but maybe there's a reason for that.
I'm Brian Cooley.
Thanks for watching.
You need a kick from me.
I'm a Ford.
God, there goes my prostate.
Jesus.
Up Next
Prizefight: Apple HomePod vs. Google Home Max
Up Next
Prizefight: Apple HomePod vs. Google Home Max
Google Home vs. Amazon Echo -- 6 months later
Google Home vs. Amazon Echo -- 6 months later
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs. Apple iPhone 7
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs. Apple iPhone 7
Apple's AirPods vs. Bragi's The Headphone
Apple's AirPods vs. Bragi's The Headphone
AirPods vs. BeatsX
AirPods vs. BeatsX
PS4 Pro vs. Xbox One S
PS4 Pro vs. Xbox One S
Google Pixel XL vs. iPhone 7 Plus
Google Pixel XL vs. iPhone 7 Plus
Sling TV vs. PlayStation Vue: 1 year later
Sling TV vs. PlayStation Vue: 1 year later
Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive
Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive
Camera comparison: The Galaxy S7 Edge vs. the iPhone 6S Plus
Camera comparison: The Galaxy S7 Edge vs. the iPhone 6S Plus
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Watch a Waymo Driverless Car Speed Down a Freeway
Watch a Waymo Driverless Car Speed Down a Freeway
What to Expect at Apple's iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's iPad Event
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
How to Access AI on Your Apple Watch
How to Access AI on Your Apple Watch
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Trying an AI Exoskeleton in the Real World
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Latest How To All how to videos
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra