Jaguar XK coupe: 'a drop-dead gorgeous sports car'

Price: £54,950

Pros: Stunning looks, impressive performance, comfortable ride...

Cons: High running costs, poor resale values, cramped rear seats...

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

3.2/5, Carbuyer: "The Jaguar XK is not only one of the most beautiful cars on the road, it's also fantastic to drive and surprisingly comfortable. It may be getting on a bit now, but it's still one of the best looking coupes money can buy – and it was voted Most Stylish New Car in the 2011 CarBuyer awards. It has a ferocious 5.0-litre V8 that offers stunning straight-line pace, and handles beautifully thanks to a suspension set-up that strikes a perfect balance between comfort and sporty performance.

Faster Jaguar XK Dynamic R and Jaguar XKR-S versions are available for those with big budgets, and there's also a convertible model if you like to feel the wind in your hair. Whichever version of the XK you’re interested in, be prepared for exorbitant fuel bills, as it is not a fuel efficient car. The rear seats are also minuscule, but those complaints aside, the Jaguar really is a fantastic machine."

4/5, Evo: "The new Jaguar XKR coupe is a marvellous machine. I’ve tried it on road and track, and for me it's a pretty good supercar substitute. Its fitness for purpose is unimpeachable."

4/5, Auto Express: "The Jaguar XK Coupe is one of the best-looking cars on the road. It's not as sporty as a Porsche 911, but it is much more fun to drive than a Mercedes SL and has a cushioned ride. Minuscule rear seats and exorbitant running costs are big negatives though."

4/5, Top Gear: "The Jaguar XK is the car that began the turnaround of Jaguar's fortunes. Fabulous to drive, has great street presence and the quality to match more expensive rivals. A Jaguar XKR in the same breath as an Aston Martin Vantage V8? Actually yes."