1997-2006 Jaguar XK8 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Jaguar XK Series. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Jaguar XK Series.

1997-2006 Jaguar XK8/XK Series Review

Styling of the new XK8 luxury coupe and convertible was clearly inspired by Jaguar's famous old XK-E (E-Type) sports car of the 1960s. Unveiled for 1997, the rear-drive sport Jaguars replaced the XJS design that had been around for 21 years. In fact, the new models also bore some kinship to the XJS, using part of its rear-drive platform and the same basic suspension, and riding a nearly identical wheelbase. Jaguar claimed a 25 percent increase in body stiffness over the XJS. Jaguar's first V8 engine went under the hood, a 4.0-liter aluminum unit with twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Also new was the 5-speed automatic transmission, from the German ZF company. In its novel console-mounted "J-gate," a 2-plane shift quadrant permitted manual gear selection when the lever was moved to the left-side slot. Dual front airbags and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes were standard, along with speed-sensitive power steering. The 17-inch wheels held Z-rated tires.The convertible has a fully lined power soft top with glass window and electric defroster. Both models had Automatic Stability Control, which throttled back engine power to maintain traction during low-grip conditions. Full traction control, which also applied brakes as needed, was part of an optional All-Weather Package that included heated seats and headlamp washers. The only other options were a trunk-mounted 6-disc CD player, premium 240-watt Harman-Kardon audio system, custom paint, and chrome wheels. Rivals included the Cadillac Eldorado, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, and Lexus SC 300/400.

Year to Year Changes

1998 Jaguar XK Series: Jaguar's sport-luxury duo added a few features this season, including automatic on/off headlamps and a security system with engine immobilizer to prevent "hot wiring." Steering-wheel controls operated the cruise, audio, and optional telephone functions, and a more ergonomic audio unit had an integrated phone keypad.

1999 Jaguar XK Series: No changes were evident for 1999.

2000 Jaguar XK Series: Jaguar added something new for 2000: a supercharged XKR model with a 370-horsepower engine, plus functional hood louvers and a rear spoiler. An XK8 could now be equipped with optional 18-inch wheels, and a satellite navigation system became available. This year, traction control used the previously optional design that modulated throttle and brakes, not the former throttle-only system.

2001 Jaguar XK Series: New for 2001 were a Silverstone coupe and convertible with larger wheels and brakes and unique cosmetic touches. All models got revised styling and seats, plus Jaguar's Reverse Park Control that warned of obstacles when backing up. XK8s now included heated front seats and premium audio with CD changer like the XKRs. XKRs also made an in-dash navigation system standard.

2002 Jaguar XK Series: The XK Series gained a limited-edition anniversary model for 2002. Commemorating the 1902 birth of Jaguar founder William Lyons, the new XKR 100 came with 20-inch wheels, Brembro-brand brakes, Recaro-brand seats, and exclusive interior and exterior trim.

2003 Jaguar XK Series: The 4.0-liter V8 was replaced with a 4.2-liter V8 with slightly more power: 294 horsepower for the XK8, 390 for the supercharged XKR. Both mate to a new 6-speed automatic transmission. Late in the model year Jaguar added adaptive cruise control to the options list.

2004 Jaguar XK Series: Jaguar produced 200 XKR convertibles in Portfolio trim with 20-inch wheels, Recaro-brand seats, and unique wood interior trim for 2004.

2005 Jaguar XK Series: Appearance changes to the grille, wheels, and tailpipes mark the 2005 alterations to Jaguar's XK Series.

2006 Jaguar XK Series: New for '06 is a pair of Victory Limited Edition packages for coupes. The XK8's Victory package includes upgraded leather upholstery, carbon-fiber cabin accents, a wireless connection to cell phones, special exterior trim, and 19-inch chrome wheels. The XKR Victory package adds 20-inch wheels and uprated brakes.

1997-2006 Jaguar XK8/XK Series Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Passenger and cargo room

Ride	Entry/exit

Quietness	Rear visibility

Build quality

Exterior finish

Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

To a large degree, the XK8 feels and behaves like a modernized XJS--not exactly a surprise. The cabin, for instance, is a similarly low-slung cocoon whose bulky center console, narrow front footwells, and shallow side glass can make even medium-size adults feel closed-in. These Jaguars are too heavy and too softly suspended to be real sports cars. Body roll is a little too abundant in tight corners. Even so, they deliver an entertaining experience on twisty roads and an easy ride just about anywhere--firm yet absorbent, with little impact harshness. The silken V8 engine is an absolute gem--nearly silent at idle and never louder than a muted, classy growl. As for performance, a test coupe with the 4.0-liter V8 vaulted to 70 mph in less than 7 seconds. New 4.2-liter models are quicker yet. Jaguar claimed the supercharged XKR could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Fuel economy suffers. Expect about 16 mpg in the XKR and just under 20 mpg in the XK8. Beware if you're tall or claustrophobic, as interior room is tight even up front. The back seat in either model is strictly toddler-size or for cargo. As for actual trunk space, there's just enough for two people on a weekend jaunt, provided they pack light and use soft luggage. In a word, skimpy. Entry/exit is no picnic, thanks to the low body, wide door sills, and on the driver's side, an outboard handbrake lever. Once inside, you'll find comfortable seats plus an attractive dashboard that present logical switches and large, legible gauges. Seats hug one's body just enough to inhibit sliding around during exuberant driving. Ford has owned Jaguar for quite a few years now, and it shows in the XK8's solid, all-of-a-piece feel--including the convertible. Both models feel solid over rough roads, and the convertible is one of the tightest, most flex-free around these days.

Value for the Money
As their fans know full well, these two offer refined performance in an elegant, luxurious package that should stand the test of time for visual appeal. All things considered, the XK8 is an attractively priced automobile, despite the high numbers shown in the chart.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Jaguar XK8 convertible	Rating

Performance	7

Fuel Economy	4

Ride Quality	6

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	1

Cargo Capacity	2

Value within Class	2

Total:	42

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1997-2006 Jaguar XK8/XK Series Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: The company is replacing the 5-speed automatic transmissions whenever they are in the shop for other service due to an unspecified problem that could lead to a failure. (1999)

Automatic transmission: The 5-speed transmission may make noise when accelerating in low range or lose reverse or drive. Jaguar is replacing them during other routine maintenance. (1998)

Brakes: Nylon grease deflector on front-rotor hubs collects dirt, which damages the seal. (1997-98)

Seat: Chafing of the wiring harness near the seatback may cause failed power seat fuses. A harness repair kit is available. (1997-99)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$1,005

Alternator	$475

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,060

Brakes	$240

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$1,110

Exhaust System	$925

Radiator	$730

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,000

Timing Chain or Belt	$705

Universal Joints	$215

NHTSA Recall History

1997: Differential output-shaft retaining ring on rear suspension can become displaced, allowing shaft to become detached; rear suspension would then collapse on the affected side.

1997-03: Operating instructions for the vehicle's headlamps may be missing or unclear. Dealers will distribute an owner's manual addendum.

1998: Cable adjuster bracket on outer sleeve of throttle cable can become displaced from cable abutment bracket on engine.

1998-99: On small number of cars, fine cracks in gear teeth of geartrain inside transmission can result in breakage of teeth, causing transmission to "lock up" below 15 mph.

2006 XK: Acceleration pedal arms were assembled incorrectly, causing a higher possibility that the acceleration pedal might be pushed when the driver intends to push the stop pedal. Dealer will inspect and replace if necessary.

1997-2006 Jaguar XK8/XK Series Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1997
XK8 convertible	$12,300-13,500	$11,100-12,200	$7,000-7,700
XK8 coupe	$10,500-11,500	$9,500-10,400	$5,600-6,100

1998
XK8 convertible	$13,800-15,300	$12,600-13,900	$8,300-9,200
XK8 coupe	$11,800-13,000	$10,600-11,700	$6,600-7,300

1999
XK8 convertible	$14,800-16,300	$13,500-14,800	$9,300-10,300
XK8 coupe	$13,000-14,300	$11,800-13,000	$7,500-8,300

2000
XK8 convertible	$16,300-17,800	$14,800-16,200	$10,400-11,400
XK8 coupe	$14,500-16,000	$13,200-14,600	$9,000-9,900
XKR convertible	$19,500-21,000	$17,900-19,300	$12,700-13,700
XKR coupe	$17,500-19,000	$16,100-17,500	$11,200-12,200

2001
XK8 convertible	$19,000-20,500	$17,500-18,900	$12,400-13,300
XK8 coupe	$17,000-19,500	$15,600-17,900	$10,900-12,500
XKR convertible	$23,500-25,000	$21,600-23,000	$15,300-16,300
XKR coupe	$21,500-23,000	$19,800-21,200	$14,000-15,000

2002
XK8 convertible	$22,200-23,700	$20,400-21,800	$14,400-15,400
XK8 coupe	$20,500-22,000	$18,900-20,200	$13,300-14,300
XKR convertible	$27,500-29,500	$25,600-27,400	$18,400-19,800
XKR coupe	$25,500-27,000	$23,700-25,100	$16,800-17,800

2003
XK8 convertible	$26,800-28,500	$24,900-26,500	$18,000-19,100
XK8 coupe	$25,000-27,000	$23,300-25,100	$16,500-17,800
XKR convertible	$33,500-35,500	$31,200-33,000	$23,800-25,200
XKR coupe	$31,500-33,500	$29,300-31,200	$22,100-23,500

2004
XK8 convertible	$33,000-35,000	$30,700-32,600	$23,400-24,900
XK8 coupe	$31,000-33,000	$28,800-30,700	$21,700-23,100
XKR convertible	$42,000-44,000	$39,500-41,400	$30,700-32,100
XKR coupe	$40,000-42,000	$37,200-39,100	$28,800-30,200

2005
XK8 convertible	$39,000-41,500	$36,300-38,600	$28,100-29,900
XK8 coupe	$37,000-39,500	$34,400-36,700	$26,300-28,000
XKR convertible	$47,500-50,000	$44,700-47,000	$35,200-37,000
XKR coupe	$45,500-47,500	$42,800-44,700	$33,700-35,200

2006
XK8 convertible	$45,500-48,000	$42,800-45,100	$33,700-35,500
XK8 coupe	$43,500-46,500	$40,900-43,700	$31,800-33,900
XKR convertible	$55,500-58,000	$52,700-55,100	$41,600-43,500
XKR coupe	$53,000-55,000	$49,800-51,700	$39,800-41,300

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1997-2006 Jaguar XK8/XK Series Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door convertible	2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	101.9	101.9

Overall Length, in.	187.4	187.4

Overall Width, in.	72.0	72.0

Overall Height, in.	51.4	51.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	3867	3673

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	9.5	11.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.9	19.9

Seating Capacity	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	37.0	37.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.0	43.0

Rear Head Room, in.	33.1	33.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	23.1	23.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Only one powertrain has been used in the XK8: a dual-overhead-cam aluminum V8, producing 290 horsepower, coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission operated by a shift gate at the console. A supercharged engine went into the limited-production XKR for 2000, delivering 370 horsepower. In '03 Jagur enlarged the V8s to 4.2-liters. Horsepower increased to 294 on the XK8 and 390 on the XJR. Jag also took the opportunity to replace the 5-speed automatic with a more fuel-efficient 6-speed unit.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc V810	4.0 / 244	290	290	5-speed automatic: 17/25	5-speed automatic: 16.8

Supercharged dohc V820	4.0 / 244	370	387	5-speed automatic: 16/23	5-speed automatic: 16.3

dohc V830	4.2 / 256	294	303	6-speed automatic: 18/26	6-speed automatic: 19.9

Supercharged dohc V840	4.2 / 256	390	399	6-speed automatic: 16/23	6-speed automatic: 15.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 XK8

Front Impact, Driver	45

Front Impact, Passenger	--

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: England

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

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1997-2006 Jaguar XK Series Local Listings >

Also in the 1997-2006 Jaguar XK8/XK Series Review:

Jaguar XK8

Jaguar XK8 Road Test

Jaguar XK8 Reliability

Jaguar XK8 Prices

Jaguar XK8 Specs & Safety

Jaguar XK8 Photos

Jaguar XK8 Full Review