The Jaguar S-Type sedan was a great car when it was introduced and it's a much better car now. When it was launched in 1999, we praised its beautiful exterior and rich interior, and enthused over the sporty handling. Jaguar then re-engineered the S-Type for 2003, a major change that revised 70 percent of the car. The result was improved response, a smoother ride, and enhanced comfort and convenience. In short, the car had improved dramatically. For 2005, Jaguar has updated the styling, revised the interior, and retuned the suspension. And the wonderful ZF six-speed automatic is now standard on all models.
We like the improvements to the 2005 Jaguar S-Type. It's a comfortable car, it handles well, and it still makes a statement when it pulls up to a five-star hotel. We found the base 3.0-liter V6 delivers responsive performance, thanks partly to the superb six-speed automatic transmission. Opt for the 4.2 model and you get thrilling performance from its powerful V8 engine. If that isn't enough, you can spring for the high-performance S-Type R, which boasts a 400-horsepower supercharged engine, sports suspension, and big 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.