Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Jaguar XKR Coupe (2006-2014) review

Sensational supercharged V8-powered Jaguar XKR mixes sports car handling with true GT abilities

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
  • Incredible performance
  • Sports car handling
  • Comfortable ride
  • Enormous running costs
  • Some rivals better to drive
  • Tiny rear seats
Find your Jaguar XKR
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The Jaguar XKR Coupe is an incredibly fast and fun car to drive thanks to its charismatic supercharged V8 and sporty handling. It's more involving than a Mercedes SL63 AMG and a BMW M6 – and has more class than both. Yet it is civilised too with a comfortable ride and sumptuous interior. It's very expensive to run, though.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Our choice: Jaguar XKR-S

Engines, performance and drive

It's difficult to describe just how fast the Jaguar XKR is – suffice to say it does 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds, 155mph all-out and for £78,500 could keep up with the £146,960 Ferrari California. After all, it has more power with a 503bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8, which also happens to make a sensational sound. Thanks to active dampers, the XKR is a sports car in the corners, but a proper GT car on the motorway, munching miles with ease. The six-speed auto makes it easy to access all this performance.
The run-out Dynamic R model come with the Black Dynamic Pack as standard, which includes stiffer and 10mm lower suspension from the XKR-S, while a standard Speed Pack raises the top speed from 155mph to 174mph. A performance exhaust is also fitted and sounds incredible – a real throaty roar – when you select Dynamic mode.

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

The pay-off for all that performance is some big bills. The Jaguar XKR returns 23mpg combined according to official figures, but you will be lucky to see even this. With a CO2 output of 292g/km it's very expensive to tax too, sitting in the top VED band. Servicing will be pricey – although no more than rivals such as the Mercedes SL63 AMG and BMW M6 – while that power will mean frequent tyre changes too. Depreciation will be steep.

Interior, design and technology

Jaguar has added a subtle bodykit to the XKR with bonnet vents, sporty 19-inch alloy wheels and some XKR badging. It looks aggressive but still elegant and has more style than the Mercedes SL63AMG and BMW M6, rivalling the more expensive Maserati GranTurismo. The standard Jaguar XK has a great cabin, and the XKR adds a few choice extras in the shape of figure-hugging sports seat, some sportier trim and XKR badging. Equipment includes leather trim, sat-nav, a six-CD in-dash changer, electric seats, Bluetooth and active dampers. There's lots of room up front and the driving position is easy to adjust. The range-topping XK Dynamic R comes with 10mm lower suspension and an aero pack as standard, including a larger front splitter, rear spoiler and side skirts. Inside there’s new diamond quilted performance seats a suede headliner and piano black veneers. A reversing camera is fitted as standard and pops up automatically on the central touch screen when you select reverse.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

With a hatchback boot and 330-litres of space, the Jaguar XKR has quite a lot of room for luggage – you will certainly be able to get two sets of golf clubs in there, for example. However, the rear seats are only suitable for very, very small children and are best thought of as extra stowage space.

Reliability and Safety

The Jaguar XKR has a whole host of airbags onboard, along with traction and stability control plus a pop-up pedestrian-protecting bonnet. Optional extras such as adaptive cruise control, which automatically brakes, then accelerates the car again if another vehicle ahead is detected, add to its safety count. Reliability is likely to be average, judging by the rest of the Jaguar range.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £21,210Avg. savings £1,862 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,600 off RRP*Compare Offers
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £31,535Avg. savings £3,985 off RRP*Compare Offers
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £36,645Avg. savings £2,892 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on XKR

Best summer cars 2024: our top choices and where to drive them
Best summer buys - header image

Best summer cars 2024: our top choices and where to drive them

The Auto Express team list their dream wheels for the warmer months
Best cars & vans
24 Jun 2024
Jaguar XK Dynamic R review

Jaguar XK Dynamic R review

Final version of Jag's coupe, the Jaguar XK Dynamic R, is arguably the best yet
Road tests
8 Aug 2014
Jaguar XKR-S GT review
Jaguar XKR-S GT coupe tracking

Jaguar XKR-S GT review

The Jaguar XKR-S GT is a track-focused monster with a roaring V8 and outlandish looks
Road tests
11 Mar 2014
The Jaguar XKR-S GT has been confirmed for UK

The Jaguar XKR-S GT has been confirmed for UK

Jaguar XKR-S GT is most extreme road-ready Jag ever and 10 will go on sale in Britain
Articles
30 Jul 2013
Jaguar XKR-S GT revealed
Jaguar XKR-S GT revealed

Jaguar XKR-S GT revealed

The £130k Jaguar XKR-S GT has been unveiled, and it promises to be the 'ultimate road-going XK'
News
27 Mar 2013
Jaguar XKR Convertible review
Jaguar XKR Convertible front tracking

Jaguar XKR Convertible review

Luxurious, fast and comfortable, the supercharged Jaguar XKR Convertible has it all
In-depth reviews
5 May 2012
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible front tracking

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

We hit British roads to see if the sensational new supercharged soft-top is worth the £103k price
Road tests
8 Feb 2012
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible video review
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible video review

Watch our video review of the Jaguar XKR-S Convertible, featuring Jaguar's chief engineer Mike Cross
Videos
8 Feb 2012
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible front tracking

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

We get behind the wheel of the fastest-ever Jaguar convertible, and it’s also its most expensive model
Road tests
16 Nov 2011
Jaguar XKR-S
Jaguar XKR-S front track

Jaguar XKR-S

XKR-S supercoupé takes the big cat into Aston Martin territory, and we put it through its paces
Road tests
31 May 2011
Jaguar XKR Convertible
Jaguar XKR Convertible cornering

Jaguar XKR Convertible

Revised soft-top is sleeker and cooler – and more exciting to drive than ever
Road tests
31 May 2011
Skip advert
Advertisement
Jaguar XKR Convertible review

Jaguar XKR Convertible review

Flagship big cat sports car impresses in all departments
In-depth reviews
11 Jun 2009
Jaguar XKR driven
Jaguar XKR

Jaguar XKR driven

Road tests
20 Feb 2009
Jaguar XKR-S
Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar XKR-S

Special-edition coupe is quickest Jaguar to go on sale since XJ220.
Road tests
23 Jun 2008
Putting on the Style
Merc v Jag fr

Putting on the Style

Mercedes has given its SL a facelift. As well as a new nose, there’s a raft of technical updates under the skin. But is that enough for it to wrestle …
Car group tests
21 May 2008
Jaguar XKR

Jaguar XKR

In recent months, Jaguar has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong rea­sons
Road tests
6 Sep 2006
Jaguar XKR

Jaguar XKR

An exclusive first ride of Jaguar's XKR reveals a superb engine and handling
Road tests
12 Jul 2006