Jaguar always updates S-Type, and in '07 makes standard for its entry model heated front seats and, for its mid-range, a navigation system and obstacle detection.
What's a Jaguar without a posh wood-and-leather interior? Fast acceleration? Superb roadability? Distinctive slinky styling?
The smooth, refined Jaguar S-Type sedan has all that. This rear-wheel-drive sedan sits in the middle of Jaguar's sedan line in size and price, between the X-Type and XJ.
Introduced for 2000, the S-Type was designed partly as a retro throwback to Jaguar's classy 1960s Mark II and 3.4/3.8S models. It was the first "small" Jaguar in nearly 30 years, as the British automaker had made only two cars for decades -- a sports coupe/convertible and sedan.
Jaguar was bought by Ford Motor in 1989, and the S-Type was the first Jaguar with a platform shared with its parent company. However, Jaguar went to great lengths to differentiate the S-Type from Ford Motor's European-style Lincoln LS sedan.
The LS is long gone, but Jaguar has continually updated the S-Type. For instance, it gave the 2005 model subtle styling changes for a leaner, more muscular look without altering its basic styling much. Last year saw the car getting a better brake system.
Jaguar has made popular options standard for the 2007 S-Type, such as heated front seats for the entry 3.0 model and a navigation system and front obstacle detection for the mid-range 4.2. All models now have driver-seat memory and power adjustable pedals.
No S-Type is cheap. The 3.0 costs $48,335 with its 3-liter, 235-horsepower V-6, while the 4.2 is $55,335 with a 4.2-liter, 300 horsepower V-8. The fastest S-Type is the $63,335 R, which has a mighty supercharged 4.2-liter V-8 with 400 horsepower and enough neck-snapping torque to seemingly climb a wall.
The 3.0 does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the 4.2 hits 60 in 6.2 seconds. The R rockets to that speed in 5.3 seconds. Top speeds are electronically limited to 121 mph.
The engines work with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission controlled by Jaguar's venerable J-gate-shaped shifter. It can cause imprecise gear selection if a driver shifts too quickly, but there's virtually no need to manually change gears.
The 3.0 provides the best estimated fuel economy -- 19 mpg in the city and 28 on highways. The 4.2 provides 18 city and 26 highway, while the ferocious R's figures are 17 and 23.
I recently tested the 4.2. It has quick, nicely weighted steering and sharp handling, although it's no lightweight at 3,868 pounds. (The 3.0 weighs 3,760 pounds, while the R is 4,075 pounds.) The ride of this 193.1-inch-long car is typically Jaguar-smooth with its advanced suspension and rather long 114.5-inch wheelbase. Brakes provide short, sure stops.
The 4.2 is arguably the best S-Type for most folks, although the 3.0 provides decent performance and is loaded with luxury car comfort, convenience and safety features.
Such features include soft-grain leather-trimmed seating with piping, dual zone automatic climate controls, power sunroof, power front seats, rain-sensing wipers, split/folding rear seat, wood-leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic wheel with radio controls, AM/FM/CD player, cruise control and rear-obstacle detection system -- plus power windows and locks with remote keyless entry.
Safety items include front-side and curtain-side air bags, anti-skid system, traction control and anti-lock all-disc brakes with brake assist.
The 4.2 adds a front-obstacle detection system, navigation system with voice control, upgraded sound system with a CD changer, power rear sunshade and xenon headlights.
The thundering R adds uprated brakes, sport suspension, sport seats, computer-controlled shock absorbers and wider tires on 18-inch (vs. 17-inch) wheels. It deletes the wood/leather wheel, leather-trimmed seating with piping, split/folding rear seat and sunshade, although you can get those items, (except for the folding rear seat) along with adaptive cruise control, for the R in a $3,000 Luxury Package.
Other options include a $250 front obstacle detection system for the 3.0 and $450 satellite radio for all S-Type models.
Jaguar fans will immediately feel at home in the S-Type because of such things as a large front console that steals space but leaves comfortable room for two tall adults -- and a cozy feel with a high dashboard and small footwells.
Two tall passengers fit comfortably in the rear, although there isn't lots of room to spare for them back there, and the center of the rear seat is too hard for comfort. However, a fold-down center armrest with dual cupholders handily occupies that seat area.
The upscale, quiet interior has easily read gauges that aren't nearly buried in tunnels as is the case in some cars. Front seats provide good support during spirited driving. The ignition switch is on the dashboard -- not buried on the steering column -- but is too close to the steering wheel for easy access.
The navigation system provides partial touch screen operation of some radio and climate controls. Some might find that to be a handy feature, others might want more conventional controls. All doors have shallow storage pockets, and rear windows lower all the way.
The long, rather shallow trunk is usefully shaped. Its wide opening is rather high but has a protective plastic lip to prevent scratching cargo. The split rear seatbacks can be flipped forward to enlarge the cargo area and sit relatively flat, although the pass-through opening from the trunk is only moderately large.
The trunk lid sits above two chromed, sexy looking dual exhaust outlets but has manual hinges instead of more compact, smoother acting hydraulic struts. However, it has two interior pull-down areas to prevent hands from getting dirty on outside sheet metal.
A new S-Type is scheduled for 2009, but Jaguar has been urged to go to different styling, so it probably won't have the classic charm of the current model. And what's a Jaguar without classic charm?
2007 JAGUAR S-TYPE
PRICE: $48,335-$63,335.
LIKES: More equipment. Fast V-8 models. Good roadability. Posh. Generally roomy.
DISLIKES: Somewhat shallow trunk. Awkward transmission shifter. Old-style trunk hinges. |