I've seen quite a few X150s have this option (well, not mine...) and I'd like to ask to those of you who have it: does it bring a significant plus to the driving experience when it's cold? Does the wheel heat significantly?
I often have cold hands so this could be quite an interesting option to have on my next big cat (I'm looking for a 4.2 R); currently I'm directing the vents on each side of the wheel to blow towards my hands and that gets the job done fine...
But I'm curious to know if the heated wheel brings a significant value added for that purpose.

Thanks!

 

George,

Quick answer, is yes, it’s a plus.

But, had my XK not had that option available, I probably would not have checked that box. Now, I find it to be a very nice feature, especially on cold, northeast winter days.

I equate this feature, to using heated riding gear for my motorcycle. Before I used my heated jacket liner, I just layered my clothing, which limited movements. After acquiring the heated gear, I would never go back.

John

 

In this recent cold snap, I do wish the car had a heated steering wheel. Making do with gloves.
I do consider heated seats a necessity these days.

 

Hi George. Yes. I have cold hands and I use it regularly and it's a must have on all my cars. My wife has arthritis and uses it regularly on her car as well and cals it a God send. The steering wheel heats up fast. I should note, I have the leather/wood steering wheel. I don't know if there's a difference in performance vs. the all leather.

 

Same here. Way back I used to think it was some useless luxury...until I took a car with leather seats on a cold morning.
From that point on it became an absolute must for me.

 

I think on the phase 1 (2006-09) models, the heated wheel was only the wood/leather one, which I think looks great anyway.
If I'm not mistaken the full leather heated wheel only came from the 1st facelift on. I guess the wood/leather one was discontinued from that point on.

 

I have heated steering wheels in both Jags, 2007 XK and 2016 XF; if I had to choose, I would take the heated wheel over the heated seats.

 

my 2009 model year, 4.2 engine, has the all leather wheel. It has the heated steering wheel.

 

OK, so they maybe were introduced before the 1st facelift in 2009, then...

 

Mi wife loves it

 

Lovely 5.0 by the way...looks awesome and super classy in white, the Caravelas adding to the class. I approve.

 

Note that none of the limited edition, top-of-the-line, 4.2L 2008 and 2009 XKR Portfolio models have a heated steering wheel. Yes, I know that doesn't make any sense.

See my ancient thread from 2010:
2009 XKR Portfolio Cvt - Heated Steering Wheel?

 

Really depends where you are. I live about halfway betwee the hot part of Australia and the cold part... so we *only* hit about 45degC on the hot days in summer, and it gets all the way down to a chilly 10degC or so in the coldest part of winter. A heated steering wheel is of zero use to me!

I have heated and cooled seats, never EVER used the heating. Cooling yes but I often forget I have it lol

 

i read through your thread. Did anything get resolved with this?

 

There is nothing to resolve. I never received a definitive answer from Jaguar corporate. Bottom line is that, for an unknown reason, the heated steering wheel wasn't available on those Portfolio models.

It's a moot point for me, as I live in Georgia and don't need a heated steering wheel. I also don't drive my XKR when the temperature drops below 40°F, as my Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires are summer tires. They are unsafe below 40°F. as the rubber compound gets hard and loses traction.

 

One hundred percent depends on where you live. When I was in LA I never fired up the heated steering wheel on my XKR. Not once.
Now I'm in new England with an XF Sportbrake and is it the first thing I turn on. It's amazing.
Soo... if you live someplace where your car feels very cold in the morning, it's amazing. If you live in CA, TX or FL it won't make a difference.
FYI it heats up much quicker than the seats. So, to directly answer your question: yes, it works very well. And yes, it's worth it.

 

I live in SoCal and own both a 2013 XKR and a 2018 XJR 575. Both have heated steering wheels and being an old man with cold hands I use the steering wheel heater on both cars in the morning during the winter. Both cars have fully leather covered steering wheels. I think it is more useful than the heated seats.

 

It's one of a growing list of "features" appearing on vehicles over the years that I neither want nor need. If the car is in the garage, it's warm anyway; if it's outside in sub zero temperatures, I need to defrost the front and rear screens and make sure the wipers are free to move before driving off so the interior is warmed up before touching the steering wheel.

My F-Pace has remote "climate" activated from the Jaguar InControl app on my iPhone. It's been very useful when the vehicle was covered in frost after recent cold, damp nights in England. Jaguar engineers must have a similar mindset to me because "climate" starts the engine, turns on the front and rear screen heaters and the door mirror heaters but NOT the heated steering wheel or climate seats. A shame X150 ended before this feature was developed and introduced.

Graham

 

One last comment, when I do turn on the HSW, it is just for a few minutes, 10 at most. Once underway, the cabin is warm enough, and the wheel is no longer cold.

 

I think the wood trimmed wheel was only offered in the first year of the X150 (2006 UK, 2007 elsewhere). Unless someone retrofitted one, you won’t see it in a later year. I rarely take mine out on cold days, but when I do, the wheel heater gets used!