Jaguar XK

Which Jaguar XK Version Should You Buy?

The Jaguar XK choice comes down to three naturally aspirated Gasoline engines and two main generations of Cabrio: the first generation, produced from March 1996 through March 2006 including its restyling, and the second generation, produced from October 2005 through August 2014 including two restylings. Every listed version is RWD with an Automatic gearbox.

The Jaguar XK choice comes down to three naturally aspirated Gasoline engines and two main generations of Cabrio: the first generation, produced from March 1996 through March 2006 including its restyling, and the second generation, produced from October 2005 through August 2014 including two restylings. Every listed version is RWD with an Automatic gearbox. The 5.0 AT is the performance choice, producing 385 hp and reaching 100 km/h in 5.5–5.6 seconds. The 4.2 AT offers the middle ground at 298 hp and 6.2–6.6 seconds, while the second-generation 3.6 AT has 258 hp and takes 7.6 seconds. The first-generation 4.0 AT produces 284 hp, but its fuel consumption is no better than that of several quicker alternatives.

Jaguar XK generations and versions

The first-generation Jaguar XK Cabrio ran from March 1996 to March 2004, with four listed database entries covering the 4.0 AT and 4.2 AT. The 4.0 AT uses a 3,996 cc engine with 284 hp and 375 Nm, paired with a 5-speed Automatic gearbox. The 4.2 AT uses a 4,196 cc engine with 298 hp and 411 Nm and a 6-speed Automatic gearbox. Depending on the listed entry, the 4.0 AT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 or 7 seconds, while the 4.2 AT requires 6.4 or 6.6 seconds.

The first-generation restyling covered April 2004 through March 2006 and contains two listed 4.2 AT entries. Both produce 298 hp and 411 Nm through a 6-speed Automatic gearbox. Their 0–100 km/h figures are 6.4 and 6.6 seconds, so the restyling does not add power over the listed earlier 4.2 AT entries. Its clearer numerical distinction is 145 mm of measured ground clearance; ground clearance for the earlier first-generation versions is not measured.

The second-generation Jaguar XK Cabrio ran from October 2005 through January 2009 and has four listed entries: two 3.6 AT entries and two 4.2 AT entries. The 3.6 AT produces 258 hp and 335 Nm from 3,555 cc, whereas the 4.2 AT delivers 298 hp and 411 Nm from 4,196 cc. Both use a 6-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The 4.2 AT reaches 100 km/h in 6.2–6.3 seconds, giving it a 1.3–1.4-second advantage over the 3.6 AT at 7.6 seconds.

The first second-generation restyling ran from February 2009 through February 2011. Its two listed 5.0 AT entries share a 5,000 cc engine, 385 hp, 515 Nm, a 6-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. They differ in 0–100 km/h acceleration and weight: one records 5.5 seconds and a 1,660 kg kerb weight, while the other records 5.6 seconds and 1,696 kg.

The second second-generation restyling ran from March 2011 through August 2014. It again has two 5.0 AT entries with 385 hp, 515 Nm, a 6-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The same 5.5- and 5.6-second acceleration figures and 1,660- and 1,696-kg kerb weights appear here. Compared with the preceding restyling, the listed fuel requirement changes from 98 to 95, the injection label changes from Distributed injection (multi-point) to Direct injection (direct), and Euro 5 with 264 g/km of CO2 is measured.

Jaguar XK engine specs

The 3.6 AT develops about 72.6 hp per litre, the 4.0 AT about 71.1 hp per litre, and the 4.2 AT about 71.0 hp per litre. The 5.0 AT raises that figure to 77 hp per litre. Moving from the 3.6 AT to the 4.2 AT adds 40 hp and 76 Nm for another 641 cc. Moving from the 4.2 AT to the 5.0 AT adds 87 hp and 104 Nm for another 804 cc.

Jaguar XK performance and mpg

The 3.6 AT does not produce a fuel-economy advantage over the second-generation 4.2 AT: both are listed at 11.3 L/100 km combined, while the 4.2 AT is 1.3–1.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h. The 5.0 AT is quicker again and records 11.2 L/100 km combined, 0.1 L/100 km below both of those versions. Among the listed first-generation figures, the 4.0 AT can consume as much as 11.8 L/100 km combined despite having 14 hp less than the 4.2 AT.

CO2 output for one second-generation 3.6 AT entry is 269 g/km and not measured for its other entry. CO2 is not measured for the second-generation 4.2 AT, the first-generation 4.0 AT or the first-generation 4.2 AT. Both 2011–2014 5.0 AT entries record 264 g/km; for the 2009–2011 5.0 AT, CO2 is not measured.

Jaguar XK dimensions, weight and wheels

The first-generation 4.0 AT has a kerb weight of 1,780 kg and a gross weight of 2,100 kg. That equals about 6.27 kg per horsepower. Its listed wheels are 245/50 R17, 245/45 R18, 255/45 R18, 285/30 R20 and 255/35 R20 in one entry, while wheels are not measured in the other. Ground clearance is not measured, and the fuel tank holds 75 litres.

First-generation and restyled 4.2 AT entries range from 1,685 to 1,775 kg kerb weight and from 2,065 to 2,160 kg gross weight. At 1,685 kg, the 4.2 AT carries about 5.65 kg per horsepower; at 1,775 kg, it carries about 5.96 kg per horsepower. The first-generation restyling has 145 mm of ground clearance and a 75-litre tank. Wheel sizes for these 4.2 AT entries are not measured.

The second-generation 3.6 AT weighs 1,720–1,735 kg, with gross weights of 2,035–2,075 kg. That produces about 6.67–6.72 kg per horsepower. The second-generation 4.2 AT weighs 1,595–1,635 kg, with gross weights of 2,035–2,075 kg, giving about 5.35–5.49 kg per horsepower. Both have 120 mm of ground clearance, a 71-litre tank and listed 245/45 R18 and 275/40 R18 wheels.

The 5.0 AT weighs 1,660–1,696 kg and has gross weights of 2,075–2,120 kg. Its power-to-weight comparison is the strongest here at about 4.31–4.41 kg per horsepower. Ground clearance is 100 mm, the tank holds 71 litres, and the listed wheels are 245/45 R18 and 275/40 R18. Relative to the second-generation 4.2 AT, the 5.0 AT adds 65–101 kg when the lightest listed examples are compared, while adding 87 hp.

Overall exterior length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data.

Which Jaguar XK version to choose

Choose the 5.0 AT if acceleration and power-to-weight ratio matter most. Its 385 hp and 515 Nm exceed the 4.2 AT by 87 hp and 104 Nm, and its 5.5–5.6-second 0–100 km/h time is 0.6–0.8 seconds quicker than the second-generation 4.2 AT. Its listed combined consumption of 11.2 L/100 km is also no higher than any other version here. Between the two 5.0 AT restylings, the 2011–2014 specification is the better-documented choice: it lists Direct injection (direct), 95 fuel, Euro 5 and 264 g/km, whereas Euro class and CO2 are not measured for the 2009–2011 version.

Choose the second-generation 4.2 AT for the clearest balance of performance and mass. It delivers the same 298 hp and 411 Nm as the earlier 4.2 AT, but the lightest entry is 1,595 kg and reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. That is 90 kg lighter and 0.2 seconds quicker than the lightest listed first-generation 4.2 AT. It also matches the 3.6 AT at 11.3 L/100 km combined while offering 40 hp and 76 Nm more.

The 3.6 AT is difficult to justify from the supplied performance and economy numbers alone. It has the lowest output at 258 hp, the slowest acceleration at 7.6 seconds, and the same 11.3 L/100 km combined consumption as the second-generation 4.2 AT. Its practical numerical advantage over that 4.2 AT is not established by these data.

For a first-generation car, the 4.2 AT is the stronger numerical choice over the 4.0 AT. It adds 14 hp and 36 Nm, uses a 6-speed rather than 5-speed Automatic gearbox, and reaches 100 km/h as much as 0.6 seconds sooner. Its combined consumption is 11.3–11.4 L/100 km, compared with 11.2–11.8 L/100 km for the 4.0 AT, so the smaller engine does not show a consistent economy benefit. The restyled first-generation 4.2 AT is preferable when measured clearance matters because its 145 mm figure is available; for the earlier first-generation versions, that parameter is not measured.