Overview & Reviews

The Jaguar S-Type was always a bit of a throwback. Stately and posh, the S-Type's exterior design showed shades of the '60s Jaguar saloons, from which its designers cribbed generously. The distinct styling also distinguished the S-Type from other luxury sedans on the market, which more typically feature sharp edges and angled surfaces.

At its debut for 2000, the Jaguar S-Type signified the first real fruit of the Ford-Jaguar partnership. Born as the classier-looking twin of the Lincoln LS, the S-Type was the brand's first true competing model in the modern midsize luxury segment. However, any sort of dynamic excellence exhibited by that platform faded quickly and the S-Type lived long past its expiration date. Its once-novel retro styling eventually became synonymous with a brand perilously stuck in the past. As such, one of the car's more up-to-date competitors might be a better choice. Also, you'll want to pay close attention to the model's history, as Jaguar made continual improvements to rectify early mistakes.

Most Recent Jaguar S-Type

The Jaguar S-Type was a four-door sedan produced from 2000-'08. It survived for one generation and there were some incremental changes over the years, mainly on the inside. It was replaced by the Jaguar XF

Originally, Jaguar rated the S-Type's 3.0-liter V6 at 240 horsepower (this number lowered slightly for 2002 and '04) and the 4.0-liter V8 at 281 hp (reduced to 277 hp 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. It was never popular with consumers, however, and Jaguar dropped it two years later. For 2004, the optional V8 was upped to 4.2 liters and 293 hp. Two years later, it was raised to 300 hp.

Regardless of year, we found the V6 to be underpowered given the S-Type's considerable weight, and recommended sticking with the beefier V8. Despite the light steering and a soft suspension -- two deliberate traits of the brand -- all S-Types nevertheless felt stable through the turns.

The most important addition to the Jaguar S-Type came in 2003, when the 390-hp supercharged R trim was released. From 2004 to its final year, the S-Type R produced 400 hp. While it was capable of doing the 0-60 drill 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 (19s for 2008). Still, the S-Type R could never stand toe-to-toe with the best high-performance sedans from Germany.

At first, the S-Type's cabin was widely considered unbecoming of the Jaguar name. 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 pricier XJ in terms of design and luxury trappings. The interior was upgraded again in 2005 (along with the exterior), but changes were minor. Nevertheless, controls maintained a certain "ye-olde" quality to them and switchgear (as on the XJ) seemed cheaper than the rest of the car.

Equipment levels were also increased as the many years went by, from the optional CD changer when introduced to Bluetooth phone connectivity in its waning hours. And because it was a Jaguar, 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 those of other midsize luxury sedans from Japanese automakers.

User Reviews:

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  Didnt see this one coming - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Dawn - April 23 - 4:10 pm

  What can I say; buy the car on a Monday and have over $3,000 in repairs before the weekend. The bleeding doesnt stop there. Make the monthly payment and triple that for repairs. Has been that way for over a year now. Been paying $9 per lug nut, $1000 for a starter w/o installation, just lose the key, or have the hood ornament taken. The leather fades in color, the sun roof sticks, and the car only starts when it feels like it. Doesnt drive well at all in any amount of snow. It stays at home, it wont move! My dream is my worst nightmare. Anyone can afford to buy a Jag, but not many can afford to keep one. The parts are dealer only, no aftermarket, and are about 400% more. Sad!

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  Terrible Car - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Hulloimadam - April 23 - 2:26 am

  We bought this car a while ago for around 56K... We sold it for 12k. The worst car every owned by far. Dont get me wrong its beautiful but other than that it stinks. We now have a mercedes s class thats 837264517635 times better than this car. Lets face it... THE BRITISH CANNOT MAKE CARS!!! Oh! and we had a whopping five trannys in it and it spews blue smoke!!!

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  Looks amazing, quality is the worst of all-time - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By jaketthomas - September 19 - 12:36 am

  I always loved the looks of Jaguars. I always wanted one. I bought a 2000 S-Type with 48k miles on it. Thought, I cant go wrong! From day 1, every, oh, Id say 30-45 days, the check engine light comes on. Yes, needs a repair, whether it be minor or major about once a month, on average. Ignition Coils, 4 catalytic converters, oxygen sensor, the Heat completely stopped working twice, Gearbox went, had a bizarre problem with my rear brakes, CD changer shorted out, cigarette lighter blows fuses once a month, rear windows dont go down, one back door doesnt shut all the way... I could literally go on and on. This car is the biggest piece of crap imaginable.

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  Dont believe the hype - 2002 Jaguar S-Type
  By petersouth - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased for girlfriend. Test drove the Audi A6, Lexus GS300, Acura RL, and Q45. She had to have the Jag for the status I guess. I was very disgusted in her decision. You get very little vehicle for the price you pay. Paid for the "Premium" stereo, sound quality is marginal at best. Single cupholder? Completely unacceptable for a 50,000 vehicle. Seats are not that comfortable. Sloppy transmission. Very poor resale and , I dont care what other reviewers have said, there are too many cheap looking interior bits. When comparing this car side by side with the above mentioned, it is VERY difficult to understand the logic in the purchase. Must be the cat on the hood.

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  These cars are junk and Ford knows it! - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Larry Chick - April 13 - 9:46 am

  The car falls apart a little more every day. Service actions overseas were prompt but not in USA. Motor problems at 50K, J-gate shifter with plasic piece that fails when stuck in Park, windows that will fail and fall inside the doors, over priced dealer repairs, service reps that deny what is all over the net and reported to NHTSA and Jag international that does not care at all!

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  Lemon - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By Brad - April 15 - 6:46 pm

  This car is the worst luxury car that I have ever had. It has been in repair 8 times in two years. four for transmission problems and four for electronic/computer issues. Air conditioner continues to go on the blink as well as the entire dashboard. The only thing good is the car has a big engine and handles well.

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  Terrible Reliability - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Robert Danaian - June 26 - 10:26 am

  This is the worst luxury (?) car I have ever had. Never know what is going to fail next. How can Jaguar get away with such an awful car? I have spent thousands repairing this car. Do yourself a favor and buy something else. Anything else.

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  Cheap broken plastic bits everywhere - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Aardvark - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Pretty car, atrocious build quality, not so much assembly, but the cheapest garbage plastic everywhere. Inside trim pieces break, but worse, crappy plastic in critical components, including transmission shift gate and window lifts necessitating unreasonably expensive repairs to replace cheap broken parts. Brakes mushy with expensive pads and rotors, front suspension is a disaster. Tie rod ends, hubs, ball joints all made out of crap and need replacement. So if youre lucky, you wont need to do what everybody else has had to: replace the transmission, front end, a/c and heat components, engine coils, window regulators, etc. AND DONT SLAM THE DOORS. Your window regulators will break.