The Jaguar S-Type sedan was a wonderful car when it was first released and it’s a much more wonderful car now. When it was announced in 1999, we praised its beautiful exterior and rich interior, and were delighted with its sporty driving. Jaguar then redesigned the S-Type for 2003, a major update that overhauled 70 percent of the car. The result was improved response, a smoother ride, and improved comfort and convenience. In short, the automobile has advanced significantly. For 2005, Jaguar updated the styling, revised the interior and readjusted the suspension. And the glorious ZF six-speed automatic transmission is now popular on all models.
We love the innovations made in the Jaguar S-Type 2005. Es a comfortable car, handles well and always works when you stop at a five-star hotel. We’ve found the base 3. 0-liter V6 to offer responsive functionality, thanks in part to the very good six-speed automatic transmission. Opt for the 4. 2 style and enjoy impressive functionality thanks to its rugged V8 engine. If that’s not enough, you can opt for the high-functionality S. -Type R, which features a 400-horsepower supercharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, and large Brembo brakes.
Another more gradual but no less significant change: Jaguar’s quality has been dramatically improved over the past few years and recent buyers report being very happy with their new S-Types.
Three models make up the S-Type range, which stand out basically for their engines. Each comes with rich leather upholstery and all the other features of a high-end luxury car.
The S-Type 3. 0 ($44,230) is powered by a 3. 0-liter V6 with 235 horsepower. The S-Type 4. 2 ($51,330) is supplied with a rugged 4. 2-liter V8 with 294 horsepower. The high-performance S-Type R ($58,330) gets a supercharged edition of the same 4. 2-liter V8. All models are supplied with the six-speed automatic transmission.
Depending on model, features include heated power seats with memory, a split-folding rear seat, automatic dual-zone climate control with air filtration, power adjustable steering column with tilt-away entry and exit action, twin-function trip computer, and cruise control. Options include satellite navigation, power adjustable foot pedals, self-leveling xenon headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Front and rear Park Assist are available. Adaptive Cruise Control is available which, like normal cruise control, allows the driver to set and maintain a cruising speed, but is also able to detect slower-moving vehicles ahead and will slow the car as necessary. When the traffic ahead speeds up, Adaptive Cruise will return to the driver’s chosen speed.
The 4. 2 is available in a stylish new VDP edition with premium leather upholstery with contrast piping, elegant California walnut veneer trim, deep carpeting, heated seats and an electronic rear sunshade.
Jaguar has redesigned the styling of the S-Type for 2005. Although subtle, the tweaks are significant and give it a more athletic look.
A new aluminum hood (in the metal hood position) shaves 22 pounds off the front of the car for greater weight distribution and features a more defined V-shape. The redesigned front bumper is simpler and cleaner. The redesigned chrome bumper inserts are less bulky, and the bumper has a deeper chin. The grille is resized and stands out more, subtly lower, wider and more vertical. It’s easier, more modern and more assertive.
The sides of the car have been redesigned to give it a longer, slimmer appearance and the rear fender line is raised for a harder, forward-leaning stance.
The distinctive round tail lamps look more technical than before, blending smoothly into the new curves of the tail, and have a jewel-like appearance. The wider rear trunk finisher (in chrome on the 3.0 and 4.2) is simplified, running the full width between the new rear lamps.
The wipers feature an advanced flushing system, with water jets built into the wiper arms for added coverage. There are still lever handles on the doors, which are aerodynamic, but I find them harder to grip than the ones you slide your hands into. .
Body panels fit more closely together. Overall, quality has improved dramatically in recent years. In 1989, Jaguar ranked at the bottom of the list in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, one rung above Yugo. Jaguar is now third from the top, according to the 2003 and 2004 surveys, just below Lexus and Cadillac. That’s even more impressive given that the quality bar is moving up: The top of that list represents a much higher standard of quality than what was found at the top of the list a decade ago. Recent S-Type buyers appear to be happy with more than just the quality of their cars. The S-Type placed second in its class in J.D. Power’s APEAL survey, which measures owners’ delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles, placing the Jag above the Mercedes E-Class and below the Lexus GS.
Based on visitor feedback, Jaguar redesigned the interior of the S-Type for 2005, adding or improving features and removing those that were not needed. All models feature rich leather upholstery, with stitching that gives it a high quality. The most popular finish is the warm quilted and bronze-stained maple siding, although a new aluminum finish option is available for a more technical-looking finish.
The quality of the fabrics has been improved and there is an absolutely new color palette and interior trim. Possible trim options now come with Classic Leather, Perforated Leather, and R Leather. There are 4 trim color options: Champagne, Charcoal, Dove, and Ivory. And there are 3 new two-tone color schemes, depending on the style: Granite and Dove on the Aluminum Sport package, Charcoal and Light Sand, and Charcoal and Dove for the R. There are also 3 possible wood veneer options depending on the style or everything. : Bronze Madrona (standard on all R trims), Gray Birds Eye Maple (R only), and vintage Burl Walnut (Highline package on 4. 2-liter engine only). Topping the list is the High-line package, with extensive use of vintage walnut veneers (including a half-walnut, half-leather guide wheel), soft-grain leather, premium floor mats, and heated seats with sophisticated chrome accents. on the headrest trim. Don’t you need wood? An aluminum sports dashboard end is available for Sport and R styles, reminiscent of some of Jaguar’s larger sports cars.
Three seating styles are available. Comfort, Sport and R respectively offer competitive reinforcement for dynamic driving. The driver’s seat is narrower on R models.
Sumptuous leather is used on the surfaces of all seats and door panels. The guide wheel looks and feels good. A well-designed lever on the left side of the guide column quickly, smoothly and accurately controls guide wheel force and telescoping tilt adjustments. The front seats are supportive, with seating that minimizes fatigue on long trips.
There is decent space for rear passengers. Rear legroom is comparable to other cars of similar size.
For 2003, Jaguar added more garage inside the S-Type. Se provide two glove compartments in addition to the garage for the center console. They can be stored in a console box with a comfortable rubber-coated roof. Two cup holders are provided, but they are not available. fixed far enough back to make it a bit tricky to achieve while riding.
The trunk area averages 14. 1 cubic feet due to the curved rear; Gooseneck hinges are used to penetrate the shipping area, but their advantage is that the trunk lid opens smoothly once opened. The rear seats can be folded into a 60/40 split for 28. 6 cubic feet of shipping area.
The weather controls and buttons on the audio system are large, easy to discern and use. The tool module only includes a fuel gauge and a water temperature gauge, in addition to the speedometer and tachometer. All in all, it’s a great design.
The electronically controlled parking brake has been refined for 2005. It is designed to work intuitively and will automatically release in certain circumstances: Switch on the parking brake with the car in Drive at an intersection and it switches off when you accelerate, handy when stopping for traffic lights on steep hills.
Driving the S-type cars is satisfying. It conveys a sense of elegance and sophistication.
The Type S comes with a perfect transmission, perhaps the maximum productivity available. The ZF six-speed automatic transmission is the same as that used in the new BMW 7 Series. This drivetrain is incredibly responsive and silky smooth. With a larger gear selection, it offers perfect handling in the city. It offers greater functionality and improved fuel economy. A sport mode allows the driver to change gears manually. Select this mode and the transmission will not shift above your chosen highest gear, but if necessary, it will shift downshifts and shift below that gear. The transmission has two overdrive ratios. Sport mode remains in the fifth position unless the engine maintains a steady state for 30 seconds. But most of the time we liked to leave it on Drive and let it do its job, because it does it so well. It’s a smart transmission: it lifts the throttle in a corner and senses the steering angle and keeps it going. It also maintains a gear on slopes, eliminating play between gears.
The 3.0-liter V6 engine is smooth and delivers plenty of power for most drivers. We found it offers good power for passing. Floor it at 50 mph in fifth gear and in a heartbeat the six-speed automatic smoothly downshifted to second gear at 5500 rpm, surging without lurching. Jaguar says the S-Type 3.0 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. The V6 was smooth and civilized when cruising, and noise from the engine was isolated. Under hard acceleration, however, the sound it made reminded us that it’s a Ford Duratec V6.
The 2005 S-Type 3.0-liter we drove did not have the Sport package with its firmer suspension, but we still found the cornering to be exceptional. It felt a little squishy when driven hard on a winding road, but cornering was relatively flat (the car didn’t lean a lot), and grip was very good. Add in the Dynamic Stability Control, and it’s hard to get into trouble.
The Type S drives elegantly and is well damped. Jaguar revised the suspension for 2005 to make the ride a little sleeker, but it’s still more fine-tuned for handling than a fancy ride. Driving through the Texas hills just outside of Austin, I found it still moved a bit back and forth on bumpy country roads, a little more than I would have liked. And you can hear the whistling of tires. When asked about this, a spokesperson said Jaguar does not make a Buick.
The 4. 2-liter V8 engine offers truly spirited functionality with strong low-revving torque for faster acceleration. Jaguar claims that the S-Type 4. 2 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6. 2 seconds, which is pretty fast. It feels comfortable and responsive in the city and on the highway, but offers energetic functionality when driving fast on back roads. The 4. 2 V8 generates 86% of its peak torque at just 1,500 rpm for greater flexibility in the city. It’s a very forged vehicle’s automobile in each and every way.
The 4. 2 offers a business trip. There are some vibrations on very undulating roads, but they diminish on smoother roads. The 4. 2 is quiet, with some wind noise at top speed. It’s solid at top speeds thanks to precise linear guidance that makes the driving force feel like they’re part of the car. The trip is company without being too hard. Jaguar’s S-Type is rarely as stiff as the BMW Five Series. It’s the kind of car that inspires confidence in those who like to drive without being a chore, no matter what, for those who don’t. It’s glorious to drive on narrow, winding roads. All in all, it’s a very good car, very nice.
The S-Type R offers fantastic acceleration performance. Jaguar says it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. We could clearly hear the whine from supercharger when hard on the gas. Hot rodders love it, but we wonder whether it would become tiresome. Superchargers deliver better low-end torque and more linear response than turbochargers an.
With its sensual looks, the Jaguar S-Type makes a splash when it enters the scene. He combines it with a sumptuous interior designed in an understated British style. Type S cars are easy to drive and offer a comfortable and subtle demeanor. walk. They will offer cutting-edge, relevant, and gimmick-free technology.
The Type S is an excellent choice for BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars. The Jaguar is less expensive and more advanced in terms of attractiveness, functionality and equipment. We like the 200five S-Type 3. 0 and we love the 4. 2 with its rugged V8. The price of the high-functionality S-Type R has been reduced to $4. 12 to better compete with the BMW five45 Sport, Mercedes Ecinco00, Audi A6 and Lexus GS.
Jaguar S-Type 3. 0 ($44,230); Type S 4. 2 ($51,330); Type S R ($58,330).
Birmingham, England.
Electric sunroof ($1,100).