2005 Jaguar XK-Series New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Jaguar XK-Series?
Jaguar's 2005 XK8 and XKR coupe and convertible receive a mild freshening this year. Graced with more aggressive front and rear styling, additional enhancements include a new-style mesh grille, and new side sills. Updated exhaust outlet finishers (quad exhaust on the XKR) and new black window surrounds update the look, while a driver-controlled automatic speed limiter keeps velocity in check. Optional 19-inch "Atlas" wheels are now available on the Jaguar XK8, while the Jaguar XKR can be equipped with 20-inch BBS "Sepang" rims. The 2005 Jaguar XKR also gets a larger rear spoiler this year.

Advantages of the 2005 Jaguar XK-Series:

• Timeless, sensual body work
• Sweet-singing 4.2-liter V8 with XK8
• Tire-shredding acceleration with XKR
• Available in coupe or convertible format

Objections to the 2005 Jaguar XK-Series:

• Outdated hardware
• Clunky J-gate shifter
• Difficult entry/exit for all occupants
• Frustratingly complicated stereo and climate controls
• Painfully tight rear quarters
• Miniscule trunk

Editor's Advice:
Discerning buyers and driving enthusiasts may want to make sure to test drive the other vehicles in this class, such as the Cadillac XLR, Mercedes-Benz CL500 and SL500, and the Porsche 911; all offer greater thrills in the twisties. Then there's the Lexus SC 430, which is a gran turismo like the Jaguar, but possessed with the stone-cold reliability of a Toyota Camry. Still, none of these more modern competitors can match the Jaguar when it comes to sheer sex appeal.