CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
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Excellent
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 04/04/2006
The 2006 Jaguar Super V8 offers a real alternative to German and Japanese premium luxury sedans, such as the BMW 750Li. Jaguar maintains a unique exterior look that hearkens back to its earliest models. Its oh-so-British leather and wood interior stands in welcome opposition to the austere, postmodern high-tech look of some competitors. All outboard seating positions are heated and adjustable, as is the steering wheel.
But it's not all old English tradition. The 2006 Jaguar Super V8's standard equipment includes such modern amenities as an easy-to-use navigation system; Bluetooth cell phone integration; a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with screens in each front-seat headrest; and a high-quality, 320-watt seven-CD Alpine audio system, which unfortunately is not MP3 compatible for either CDs or external devices. And of course, all modern safety hardware and software are standard.
The 2006 Jaguar Super V8 doesn't come cheap, but nearly everything is included. The base price for our test car was $91,330. Chrome wheels, at $1,400, were the only option. Add the $665 destination charge for a $93,395 bottom line.
Jaguars have always been noted for their unique interior design and use of fine leather and wood veneer. Befitting its premium status in the company lineup, the 2006 Jaguar Super V8 has ambiance. It is opulent nearly to the point of decadence, with superbly comfortable, heated power-adjustable seats for all four passengers. The driver gets a heated, wood-and-leather-rimmed steering wheel.All of the extra length from the long-wheelbase chassis goes into the rear-seat area. First class barely describes it--it's a toss-up whether driving or being driven is better, and the 2006 Jaguar Super V8 is a fine car to drive. Jaguar literature suggests that the rear seat can be used as meeting space and that laptop computers can be put on the burled walnut-faced fold-down tray tables set in the backs of the front seats. Chalk that up to hyperbole, as even a PDA with a keyboard is too large to fit on the tabletops. But legroom and headroom, along with lamb's-wool carpets and a DVD system with controls in the center console and screens in the rear of each front seat headrest, still make it an excellent place to spend the day.
The 2006 Jaguar Super V8's DVD system does have a few peculiarities, or perhaps British conservatism was overwhelming in its specification. Jaguar's press materials say that "Jaguar has embraced and developed many new technologies but is careful to adopt them only when they are relevant and easy to use." Someone in Coventry is not keeping up with the times. The system lacks wireless headphones or a remote control; passengers use minijacks for the headphones and fiddly controls for the system. The player itself is in the trunk, above the CD changer, making a stop necessary for movie changes.
Also not present is any easy way to listen to MP3 files or similar media, as neither the single-CD player in the dash nor the seven-disc changer in the trunk are MP3 CD-capable, and there is no auxiliary audio connection. Hooking up an adapter through the optional cassette player is currently the best bet for iPod or MP3 fans. Interestingly, a MiniDisc player is available as an option.
The 2006 Jaguar Super V8's instruments are set into a classic burled-walnut dash, with the Jaguar-standard, leather-bound horseshoe-shaped center stack. Parameters for audio, navigation, the information system, and climate are controlled through a touch-screen LCD in the stack. We found this interface to be very usable. Marked hard buttons control the system to be displayed--audio, nav, car info, and climate--with details entered by means of the touch screen itself. Zone control for the four-zone climate system is handled through the screen; temperature and fan speeds are independently controlled by standard switches in the center stack and the rear console.
The 2006 Jaguar Super V8's navigation system gets positive marks for ease of use. Control is simple, with logical and well-marked choices from both buttons and the touch screen, as well as a prominent Back button. Alphanumeric entry via the touch screen is far easier than with any joystick or knob, and destinations may also be set with the map cursor. The usual choices for routing are available--yea or nay on highways, toll roads, bridges, and so forth--and route calculation is moderately fast. Directions are good, and the screen is large enough and positioned to be easily visible in most lighting, although bright light and polarized sunglasses can make it unreadable. Resolution could be better, as it is only medium by today's standards.
The standard Bluetooth mobile phone system works well and can transfer a phone's address book to the car. Pairing up a phone to it requires the manual, as users will need to enter a particular sequence of numbers and symbols. Voice activation is a dealer-installed option, interestingly, and was not installed in our test car.
Convenience is one of the hallmarks of luxury, and the 2006 Jaguar Super V8's navigation system highlights nearby gas stations when the 22.3-gallon fuel tank gets low. Other standard operational conveniences include an electronically controlled parking brake that is automatically set when the key is removed from the ignition and turned off when the car is put into gear. It also has manual override. Radar-based adaptive cruise control makes for more automated travel on today's crowded freeways. Both outside mirrors can fold, controlled by a switch inside or by the remote fob.
As with all XJ models, the 2006 Jaguar Super V8's most impressive technology is in its chassis. In construction, it is as close as possible to having a true monocoque structure, with large areas of the skin used as stressed chassis members. That, and extensive use of lightweight aluminum and magnesium alloys in its construction, makes for a svelte automobile. Its 4,000-pound curb weight is remarkably light for a car of its size and up to 500 pounds less than some competitors. The Super V8 is only 58 pounds heavier than its shorter wheelbase XJ brethren. Continue readingMost helpful user reviews
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