I haven't really driven the Rapide enough for big statement, but I can say the steering feel is the same, the engine and cabin is more quiet. The V12 is not as vicious sounding and wheel base difference is noticeable when steering. Suspension is softer. Rapide is fine as "regular car" yet when tossing it the chassis stiffness is evident.

This weekend a friend is coming by with an MB CLS65S. I know for sure his car will be faster (I think my Jag XE is faster than Rapide), but from a previous ride in his MB the Rapide has a nicer road feel to it.

It's clear the Vantage is a full sports car next to the Rapide, but both are driving like an Aston Martin. I plan to get some miles in this weekend. I work from home, so I don't drive much as daily routine.

 

Love the Rapide, the lines and the length. I have to ask, even knowing it's been asked before, but does an adult really fit in the back seats? I've ridden in a S but the back seats were the last thing on my mind at the time. Just would like your opinion.

Regards,

 

Funny you ask. A friend just came by to check the car out. He is 6'2" and he sat in back and thought it was fine. Getting in is difficult, but once seated is very comfy. We did not even have the front seat moved forward for him. It's no 7 series in the back seat, but for anything under 2 hours is not a problem at all.. All critics who say against it are just pumping their own tires IMO.

 

Thanks, I appreciate your insight. My need for a four door sedan, which the Rapide is not, is less than ten times a year at best. I would love to have a Rapide sitting in the garage rather than a A7 or CLS. I hope my days of a big saloon are past.

Regards,

 

The Rapide is in a different league than A7 or CLS. I just took the Rapide out on my favorite back roads just now. The handling is pretty amazing and steering rack is really quick. I believe it is the same as the Vanquish & DB9. No sedan is going to handle like that. I wish the V12 had more roar. You really need to rely on the paddles to keep it in gear to hear the valves open. I may go for decats or something later this year. I plan to live with longer before going for more sound. I put the decats on the Vantage right after I bought it. Trying to show restraint this time around. The V12 is super smooth, like you don't even know there's moving parts in there! Paddles aren't the fastest, but their placement and engagement is better than my Jag.

 

I am amazed how the Sport and Adaptive Dampening modes transform the car. Sport mode makes the car almost leap. Almost as dramatic as it was in the Evora. Sport mode in the Jaguar is kind of a yawn, as is Dynamic Mode. When the Adaptive Mode is enabled in the Rapide, driver and passenger alike call feel it immediately.