  Jaguar XKR. Click image to enlarge |
3rd Place: 2013 Jaguar XKR
The Jaguar ended up being the odd man out in this comparison test. We had hoped for, and requested, a Jaguar XKR Convertible, but received the coupe instead. In the end, this may have been a blessing in disguise. By having the coupe, the starting price is $7,000 lower and the Jaguar retains its amazing shape. Sure the XK Convertible looks good, but the XK Coupe looks great, and its assets are only further enhanced by the R body kit.
Speaking of greatness, there is also that glorious (you’re going to see that word a lot in this review) engine powering this British rocket. Measuring an even 5.0L of displacement, the supercharged V8 unleashes a massive 510 hp, the most in this comparison. Even though its 461 lb-ft of torque ranked second to the Mercedes-Benz SL 550 and it gives up one gear to both of its competitors, the Jaguar always felt faster. Instrument testing done by other publications reveals all three cars are in a virtual dead heat when it comes to acceleration, but the XKR still fools the driver into thinking it is eating up the miles at a much faster rate.
The V8 bellow coming out of the exhaust would make any muscle car jealous, and under wide open throttle the rear end of the XKR dances around more than everyone in the Gangnam Style video combined. Basically, the XKR is the old-school hot rod of the bunch.
   Jaguar XKR. Click image to enlarge |
But the XKR also handles well. Well, handling may not be the right word as it would be more apt to describe it as gripping pummelling the road. With the upgraded dynamic package, our XKR came equipped with a set of steamroller tires: 255/35R20 up front and 295/35R20 in the rear. These high performance tires defy physics and keep the 1,790 kg Jaguar glued to the road. The downside to this tenacious grip comes at the expense of ride comfort. The Jaguar wasn’t quite as rough riding as the Porsche 911, but it was also nowhere near as supple as the Mercedes-Benz SL 550.
Where the Jaguar really lost points though was inside the cabin. The fit and finish, although fine in their own rights, could not match the other two vehicles in this test and seemed out of place in a $120,000 vehicle. The steering wheel in particular drew criticism as it feels like a model year 2000 leftover. Front seat comfort was split down the middle as some found it good while others found it lacking. What we could all agree on, though, was that they did not support us like the 911 seats and they were nowhere near the level of comfort found in the Mercedes-Benz front buckets. We did like the faux suede roof liner and the pop-up gear selector found in the centre dash though. We weren’t impressed by the tacked-on Bluetooth mick on the A pillar.
But in the end, the hatchback XKR just couldn’t match the other two in this test. It wasn’t as sporty as the 911 or nearly as refined as the SL 550. In the world of near $150K Grand Tourer Coupes, the XKR remains the brash, bad boy of the segment, full of personality and rebellious soul, which alone can have enough appeal for some. As one tester commented “I would buy the XKR out of the three, simply because it is not German.”
Pricing: 2013 Jaguar XKR Coupe
Base price: $109,125
Options: $10,000 (Dynamic Pack), $300 (Heated Windscreen), $200 (Stainless Steel Pedals)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,350
Price as tested: $121,075
