2010 Jaguar XJ – Flagship feline unveiled

Jaguar has let the cat out of the bag by unveiling the new 2010 XJ flagship sedan, which will go on sale in December for early 2010 delivery. Prices will start at $72,500, with midlevel model priced at $87,500 and the Supersport well into six-figure territory at $112,000. All prices include an $850 destination charge. These figures make the new XJ significantly more expensive than the outgoing model, which ranges $65,700 to $104,225.

The XJ will be available with a choice of three engines: a 5.0-liter, naturally-aspirated V8 producing 385 hp; a 5.0-liter, supercharged V8 producing 470 hp; and the Supersport version producing 510 hp. There is only one transmission, a six-speed automatic with standard paddle shifters. The XJ will be available in standard- and long-wheelbase models.

Jaguar claims the big cat’s extensive use of lightweight aluminum saves 300 lbs. over a steel-body construction. The car is also made with 50-percent recycled material. A keen exterior feature is the standard panoramic glass roof.

Befitting the modern appearance, the XJ boasts the latest infotainment gear with HD radio, satellite radio receiver, Bluetooth, and a media center that has two USB ports to connect to portable music devices.

The current Jaguar XJ8 is long on pedigree but short on true luxury attributes. We liked its smooth, responsive drivetrain, sporty handling, interior detailing, and easy-to-use controls. But it can't match the luxurious ride and quietness of the top-of-the-line offerings from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. We hope the new car is able to better compete with its luxury peers in road refinement, as well as passenger and cargo space.

—Liza Barth

Jaguar XF: The fix is in

As promised, here’s the follow up to our initial dealings with our Jaguar dealer, chronicled in “Saga of the Jaguar XF fix.”

As it turns out, the part came in a couple of days later and the dealer promptly called to schedule an appointment. They even offered to pick up the car and return it when fixed. But since I drive by the dealer every day, I figured I’d simply drop it off and take a loaner.

Thankfully, this time I got a new XF with only 400 miles on it. Maybe they read the earlier blog, where I pointed out that an Isuzu Ascender is a less-than-appropriate loaner car for a Jaguar owner.

The dealer called around lunch time and said that the car was fixed. I picked it up on the way home, and –surprise, surprise–everything’s working fine. (Admittedly, after some back and forth on getting parts to replace the window regulator.) While at the dealership, I noticed that the $120,000 XKR convertible I had jokingly asked for a loaner last time now had a sold sticker on it.

Our XF is purring along fine now. Maybe our cat does have nine lives.

--Rick Small

Car brands: Who owns what?

The auto industry is very complicated these days, with constant change across all corners of the globe. The worldwide economic slowdown dictates widespread cost reductions, inspiring partnerships and changes in ownership. Further confusing the scene are past commitments between companies: For example, the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is based on a Mercedes-Benz platform–even though Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer joined at the hip.

To help clear up some of the confusion, here is a road map to navigate who owns what brands among the major companies that sell in the U.S. car market.

BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce

Fiat owns: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati; Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep–20-percent stake

Ford Motor Company owns: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo (for now), and still owns 13.4 percent of Mazda

General Motors owns: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Also owns a controlling interest in Daewoo, as well as Opel and Vauxhall in Europe and Holden in Australia. (Pontiac to be discontinued)

Honda owns: Honda, Acura

Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia

Tata Motors (India) owns: Jaguar and Land Rover

Mazda (partially owned by Ford)

Mitsubishi

Daimler AG owns: Mercedes-Benz and Smart

Nissan owns: Nissan and Infiniti (Nissan is owned by Renault--France)

Porsche owns: Porsche and a majority share in Volkswagen

Subaru (A controlling interest of Subaru is owned by Toyota)

Suzuki

Toyota Motor Company owns: Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Daihatsu and Hino Motors, with a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru’s parent company) and Isuzu

Volkswagen owns: Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and overseas SEAT and Skoda.

In formal negotiations to be sold:
Hummer: Tengzhong (China)
Saturn: Penske Automotive Group
Saab: Koenigsegg (Sweden)

--Liza Barth

Saga of the Jaguar XF fix

It’s fair to say that Jaguar’s reliability history has been, well, a mixed bag. And while we praised our tested XF for being a sporty sedan with strong acceleration and notably nice interior fit and finish, our Jag hasn’t been without its problems.

Case in point: After only 12,000 miles and less than a year in service, the fuel door wouldn’t open and the power driver’s window malfunctioned – it goes up, then comes down an inch and stays there. Ultimately, the window requires a number of switch operations to close it fully.

We called the dealer who told us to bring it in and they’d fix it while we waited.

So I took the car in. While I was there, I found out that there were a couple of outstanding recalls on the XF and it was also due for a free scheduled maintenance. The dealer even offered a loaner (hmmm, can you say “420 hp XKR?”) and said that everything should be ready the next day. Unfortunately, I was handed the keys to an old Isuzu Ascender--twin to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. When’s the last time you saw an Ascender? Our last tested TrailBlazer had very un-Jaguar-like handling, braking, fuel economy, noise levels, and atrocious fit and finish. Sigh.

But I needed to get to work, so I took the keys and was off.

The next day the dealer called and said the car needed a new window regulator. Unfortunately, these were on back-order. So I waited a week for the part to come in; I was again told that the car should be ready the next day.

The next day the dealer called and told me that the parts that arrived to fix the XF were marked incorrectly and what we really needed was still on back-order. It may be another 1-2 weeks more before they get it.

Thankfully, I have lots of other cars to drive--the Ascender is not exactly a sweet ride--but I imagine that regular Jaguar owners wouldn’t be amused at commuting in this outdated SUV for several weeks while making payments on their cat. At least the Isuzu’s windows go up and stay up.

Meanwhile, we wait and wait until the right part comes in for our Jaguar FiX…stay tuned.

--Rick Small

Tata leaves Jaguar/Land Rover alone

At the New York International Auto Show, we caught up with Jaguar Managing Director Mike O’Driscoll. Now that Ford has sold the companies to Indian conglomerate Tata Sons Ltd., we asked him how it was going and what’s changed.

New product plans are moving forward, he says. What’s changed is that no one is looking to base Jaguars and Land Rovers on platforms designed for other cars. The companies’ products will have to be profitable all on their own.

“We’ve gone from Ford management to Tata ownership,” O’Driscoll says with a smile.

—Eric Evarts

See Consumer Reports' coverage of the 2009 New York auto show.

Upscale sedans—Road test and videos

Our February-issue car test group consists of upscale sedans, including some that blur the lines between upscale and luxury cars. The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos hosted by our automotive experts. These videos highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each model, bringing the road tests to life.

Tested upscale sedans include the redesigned Acura TL and Nissan Maxima plus, new models including the Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, and Pontiac G8. In addition, we tested the new Jaguar XF luxury sedan.

In the March issue, we’ll report on subcompact cars including the redesigned Honda Fit.

--Liza Barth

Car, pickup truck, SUV, and tire recalls

Recently, there have been several recalls worth noting from Audi, Bridgestone Firestone, General Motors, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mazda, and Mercedes-Benz. But first, a major one from Ford:

Ford, Lincoln, Mercury – Nearly five million unrepaired vehicles could pose serious fire hazard

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging owners of certain Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and passenger cars to take their vehicles to a local dealership immediately for a corrective repair. The vehicles contain a defective cruise control switch that could lead to a fire at any time, even while the vehicle is turned-off, parked and unattended. Repair parts are readily available.

NHTSA remains concerned that many owners have yet to respond to multiple safety defect recall notifications from Ford. Of the 12 million vehicles involved in the recall, nearly five million have not yet been brought to Ford for repair.

The involved vehicles are:

1993–2004 Ford F-150
1993–1999 Ford F-250 (gasoline engine)
1993–1996 Ford Bronco
1994–1996 Ford Econoline
1997–2002 Ford Expedition
1998–2002 Lincoln Navigator
1998–2002 Ford Ranger
1992–1998 Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, and Mercury Grand Marquis
1993–1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
1993–1995 Ford Taurus SHO with automatic transmission
1994 Mercury Capri
1998–2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
2001–2002 Ford Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac
1992–1993 and 1997–2003 Ford E-150-350 gasoline or natural-gas vehicles
2002 Ford E-550 gasoline engine vehicles
1996–2003 Ford E-450 gasoline or natural gas vehicles
1994–2002 Ford F-250 through F-550 Super Duty trucks (gasoline engine)
2000–2002 Ford Excursion (gasoline engine)
2003 F-250 – F-550 Super Duty, Ford Excursion
1995–2002 Ford F53 Motor home chassis
2002–2003 Lincoln Blackwood

Consumers with questions should contact their local Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer, or call 1-888-222-2751. Additional information is available at Ford.com.

Audi is recalling nearly 14,000 A8 vehicles equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. The locking cable may slide out of position over time, allowing the shifter to be moved out of the "Park" position even if the ignition key is not in the ignition lock. This could allow the vehicle to roll, risking a crash. Dealers will make the necessary modifications to secure the locking cable in place. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

Bridgestone bias-ply motorcycle and scooter tires

Bridgestone Firestone (BFNT) is recalling over 4,000 Bridgestone bias-ply motorcycle and scooter tires that fail to conform to the labeling requirements of a federal safety standard. BFNT will notify owners and replace the noncompliant tires free of charge. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact BFNT at 1-615-937-3442.

2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS and Hummer H2; 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Saturn Outlook; 2008 Buick Enclave – heated wiper washer fluid system

GM is recalling over 850,000 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer and Saturn vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system that could overheat. Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. GM has yet to announce when owners will be notified. In the meantime, owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608- 8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Saturn at 1-800-972-8876; GMC at 1-866-996-9436; or Hummer at 1-800- 732-5493; or MyGMLink.

2008 Buick Enclave and 2007-2008 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook – windshield wipers

GM is recalling over 88,000 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook vehicles currently or previously registered in the following states: AK, CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI, WY and DC. Snow and ice buildup on the windshield or wipers could cause the wipers to become inoperative. Dealers will install a new wiper mechanisms. The recall is expected to begin during October. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or at MyGMLink.

2008 Hyundai Elantra – fuel pump

Hyundai is recalling 65,000 Elantra vehicles with 2.0-liter “beta” engines. The fuel pump motor may produce less pressure than required to supply the fuel-injection system. Dealers will replace the fuel pump subassembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

2009 Jaguar XF – rear safety belt

Jaguar is recalling nearly 8,000 XF vehicles due to a problem with the rear safety belt. In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will correct the condition. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact Jaguar at 1-800-452-4827.

2007-2008 Mazda6 – fuel tanks

Mazda is recalling 7,200 Mazda6 vehicles with California emission specifications. The metal fuel tanks on the affected vehicles may have been damaged during the assembly process, which could lead to a fuel leakage. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the fuel tank, if necessary. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500, Option 2.

2001-2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (Model 215), 2002-2006 S-Class (Model 220)
2003-2007 SL-Class (Model 230), 2007-2008 CL-Class (Model 216), 2007 S-Class (Model 221) – acceleration sensors

Mercedes-Benz is recalling over 4,500 CL-Class, S-Class and SL-Class vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) acceleration sensors on the front struts. The ABC sensors may have been installed improperly, which can adversely influence the vehicle's directional stability and could lead to a vehicle crash. Dealers will inspect and replace, if necessary, the front ABC sensors in all potentially affected vehicles. The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

—Desiree Calamari

Final thoughts: Jaguar XK

As I sit typing this, snowflakes are swirling around my window. My summer clothes are boxed away. It seems like I’ve been driving mostly SUVs or minivans for weeks, either for their winter traction or to haul stuff to work on my newly-purchased house. Practicality especially rules in the winter.

Summer seems to be a long way away, and it’s been a long time since I’ve driven our Jaguar XK. (CR road tests are available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers.) It sits forlorn in the test garage, waiting for its new owner to pick it up. Summer tires mean that driving it now is a no-no.

The snowy ground here is a far sight from the green grassy fields of the Carlisle, Pennsylvania fairgrounds. There, I entered the big red cat in the Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals, parking it in the show field. Whether it was the long highway haul to Pennsylvania or profiling around town, the Jaguar proved to be a very satisfying surprise. Other than in packaging efficiency--this is a seriously large car for what is essentially a two-seater--the Jag is thoroughly modern, yet bewitching at the same time. It’s comfortable, athletic to drive, and sounds great.

But parking next to the more vintage cars on the Carlisle show field, I heard some older Jag owners comment that it didn’t look like a Jag. As I drove the car on the field, some wag loudly said “The front DOES look like a Taurus,” a comment right from the pages of the enthusiast magazines about the car’s front fascia. (I wasn’t offended, given that it wasn’t my $86,000 that I used to buy our test car.) An owner of the previous generation XK8 liked his car better, finding it shapelier. At least there was a seven-year-old who found the car cool: “Look! It has a starter button!”

The Jag did keep to one Jaguar tradition--our test car had some odd electrical quirks. The electric fuel door didn’t always open, the outside temperature display would flash 0 degrees (gee, maybe I should put the top up…), and the top jammed halfway through its cycle just before we were to sell the car. We don’t know yet if the redesigned XK will be reliable in our annual survey, although other Jags haven’t been too reliable according to our subscribers.

The Jaguar exceeded our expectations in most regards, and it probably does the same for owners. Hopefully all of their days are warm and sunny…

--Tom Mutchler

Personal picks: Luxury sports cars 2

Tom Mutchler: Truthfully, I'd rather have the manual transmission Mercedes-Benz SLK350 we tested last year over any of these cars. It's a great blend of comfort (it has an Airscarf system that blows warm air on your neck for cool-weather top-down driving that the SL lacks), driving enjoyment, great looks, and prestige. Plus, you can buy two of them for the price of one SL -- given Mercedes' recent reliability history, you might need both...

Gabe Shenhar: My choice among the luxury convertibles is the Jaguar XK. By definition, going topless, to me means that you are already compromising some structural rigidity, which detracts from handling. Therefore, the Jag is the perfect blend of a relaxed cruiser yet is a satisfying driving companion. It rides beautifully and is luxurious inside. Turn up the pace, and it goes like hell, emitting a healthy V8 bark, and can tackle twisty turns in a hurry. In Sport mode, the transmission does a perfect imitation of a manual, which adds to the fun. The rear seat is pretty tiny, but for now my boys can manage there for a short drive.

Luckily (or not), though, I think the only luxury I have, is to not be 'burdened' with making such a decision.

While all of us were clearly blown away with most of these high-end sports cars, we almost universally agree that just as much fun can be had with less expensive models. So, do you need to spend $70-100,000 for awesome driving pleasure? Not at all.

Personal picks: Luxury sports cars

Rick Small: For the luxury coupes, my pick is the Jaguar XK8. It's, arguably, the best looking Jag since the XKE. It also has the most interior room for my 6'3" 210-pound frame. The lined convertible top is well insulated and very quiet inside -- it's even quieter than some metal roof cars. The interior looks great, with fine details and high quality materials. The powertrain provides quick and smooth performance and also sounds fabulous. One of the only things I don't like about it is its very high ($86,300, as tested) price.

Eric Evarts: Of all the great cars in the October test group, the Mercedes-Benz SL 550 became my favorite on the test track, of all places. It certainly isn't the fastest, and it doesn't even have the highest handling limits. But it throws you back hard in the seat as it rockets down the straightaway.
Subjectively, it feels almost as fast as the Corvette Z06 and the Viper, but it never threatens to break away from the driver and lose control as those cars sometimes can. Yet it's plenty fast enough that I could keep pushing my own limits without worrying about surpassing the car's. All that, and it's smooth and elegant on the street, snug and cozy in the winter, and lets the sun shine in on a summer day. Do you suppose anybody would notice if the most expensive car Consumer Reports has ever tested went missing for a week or two?

Gene Petersen: The Jaguar XK convertible is the ultimate touring car in my book. Gorgeous looks, powerful and muscular sounding engine, and nimble handling make it a pleasure to drive. Sure, the car is not a pure sports car, but the everyday handling is just fine without sacrificing ride comfort. I like the padded soft top that quells much of the ambient noise and there is virtually no wind buffeting with the top down; just that sweet exhaust note in the background with a tip into the throttle.

OK, now for a reality check. The car cost over $86,000. I can put down $5,000 and finance the rest over six years at 7% interest rate. Let's see...with local property and sales tax that I must pay in my state -- and adding in the monthly insurance fee - I'll have to come up with almost $1,800 a month. Yikes! No, I can't swing it or would I want to. But the car was never intended to be sold to low- to middle-income folks like me. Cars like these are for the well-to-do and most likely used as a week-end driver. So what do I do if I want a sporty convertible car that I can afford? Think Ford Mustang or Mazda MX-5.