2012 Jaguar XK vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Jaguar has some very talented competition, hailing from all around the world.

On the touring side of things is the Mercedes-Benz SL, which remains boulevard-smooth even when shod with full AMG battle gear.

It's heavy, though, and COMAND's knob controller takes a long time to learn.

BMW has a new 6-Series coupe and cabriolet duo, each with a more refined, less Supra-ish shape and at least a token effort at weight loss.

A Chevrolet Corvette channels the brasher side of Jaguar's appeal, but its interior is nowhere near the British standard set by the XK.

A new Porsche 911 is due this year, and it promises to be bigger and more technically complex than ever--take that as you will.

Of all the semi-exotics we've driven, the Maserati GranTurismo may be the XK's truest, if more expensive, competitive.

It has a lusty V-8 engine, a gorgeous silhouette and pitch-perfect interior, and sport models and modes that stack up well against the Jag.

Heck, its name even means "grand tourer."