Hooniverse Parting Shot: The Jaguar S-Type; Ford's English Patient.

A 2005 Jaguar S-Type R Supercharged Sedan. Could this image be any more British?

Under Ford’s 19-year stewardship, Jaguar made great progress improving build quality and reliability, but in the end it became known as the English Patient.

The Lovely Rear Flanks of a 2008 Jaguar S-Type R Sedan. Dragon Tempting!

Under the ownership of the Ford Motor Company, Jaguar again created cars that people aspired to own. They were at least mostly reliable, retained their English good looks, and were truly becoming a threat to the German uber sedans. However, Ford seemed to lose the recipe to success, first with the S-Type which shared its global DEW platform with the Lincoln LS and retro Thunderbird, and then really jumped the shark with the introduction of the X-Type, which was really nothing more than a Ford Mondeo in drag. Now that they departed the automotive scene, we can take one last look at these two Fords in Jaguar clothing, the S-Type, outlined here, and the X-Type that will be covered tomorrow.

This Colour does nothing to enhance the looks of the Jaguar S-Type.

The Jaguar S-Type was always a bit of a throwback. The S-Type’s exterior design echoed the classic Jaguar saloons of the sixties, posh and comfortable. Its distinct styling differentiated it from its competitors which typically feature sharp edges and flame surfacing. Utilizing a common platform that underpinned both the Lincoln LS and the retro-future two-seat Thunderbird, the S-Type was the brand’s first true competing model in the modern midsize luxury segment populated by the Audi A6, the BMW 5-Series, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. However, any sort of dynamic excellence that platform may have exhibited faded rather quickly as the S-Type lived long past its expiration date. Its retro styling eventually became synonymous with a brand that was perceived as stuck in the past.

The Side Profile of a 2005 Jaguar S-Type. No Distinguishing Characteristics in this view.

The S-Type was a four-door sedan produced from 2000-2008. It was only produced for one generation, and most of the incremental changes were made under the skin. Originally, Jaguar rated the S-Type’s 3.0-liter V6 at 240 horsepower, though there were two revisions that lowered the power rating over the years. The 4.0-liter V8 was initially rated at 281 horsepower but was de-rated to 277 horsepower for 2002. A five-speed automatic was at first standard, but for 2003, Jaguar replaced it with a six-speed and made a new five-speed manual transmission standard on the 3.0 trim. The manual was never popular with consumers in the US; it was quietly dropped two years later. For 2004, the optional V8 was up-rated to 4.2 liters with 293 horsepower and for 2006 it was raised to 300 horsepower.

The Jaguar S-Type Supercharged V-8.

Regardless of year, the V6 was found to be underpowered given the S-Type’s considerable weight. Publications at that time recommended opting for the beefier V8. Despite the light steering and a soft suspension–two deliberate traits of Jaguars in general–the handling generally drew praise from reviewers.

An important addition to the Jaguar S-Type came in 2003, when a 390 horsepower supercharged R version was released. From 2004 to its final year, the S-Type R produced 400 horsepower. While it was capable of doing 0-60 in just 5.3 seconds, there was more to the R than mere muscle. It was an all-around performer, equipped with larger disc brakes, an adjustable sport-tuned suspension system, and 18-inch wheels which were upgraded to 19-inch for 2008. Still, the S-Type R could never stand toe-to-toe with the best high-performance sedans from Germany or even those from Japan.

Ahhh, There is no mistaking a British Interior, and the S-Type is no exception.

At first, the S-Type’s cabin was widely panned. Both the design and materials seemed down-market and indicative of the car’s Ford roots. For 2003, the interior received a thorough overhaul, bringing it more in line with the Jaguar name in terms of design and luxury trappings. The interior was upgraded again in 2005, but changes were minor. Controls exuded a certain “Old English Pub” quality but the switchgear gave away the secret that they were inherited from the corporate Ford parts bin. Equipment levels were also increased as the years went by, from the optional CD changer when the S-Type was introduced to Bluetooth phone connectivity when it was slated to be discontinued. This being a British saloon, leather and wood trim were never in short supply.

In reviews of the Jaguar S-Type, consumers typically praise the car’s styling and features. They’ve commented unfavorably about its small trunk and the poor shift quality in earlier cars. The Jaguar’s overall reputation for reliability is also not as good as that of other midsize luxury sedans from either the German or Japanese automakers. So, was the Jaguar S-Type a bad automobile? Not necessarily. It was developed in tandem with the Lincoln LS, which itself was highly regarded at its introduction, winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year Award. It was a stately sedan that could never be mistaken for anything other than a Jaguar.

Unfortunately, the design did not age all that well, and being a Jaguar, reliability couldn’t measure up to the standards set by Lexus, or Infiniti. It couldn’t compete with the reliability of Audi, BMW, or Mercedes Benz either, but that’s missing the point about this car. The latest S-Type, in the R configuration, provided its owner with a 400-HP V-8, touring-car tuned suspension, and world-class British-styled interior furnishings all wrapped in a body that is distinctive and that will never be confused with a German or a Japanese luxury saloon. The residuals on an S-Type Jaguar can’t compete with the Germans or the Japanese either, so this luxurious, fast, and capable cat can be had for quite a bargain. Read more of my Retrospective and Recently Deceased Features at Automotive Traveler.

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