Jaguar S-Type: which version to buy

Buy a Jaguar S-Type by matching engine, gearbox, and year band to how you will use it — not by the nameplate alone. The catalogue lists one generation in two production windows: 1 generation (1999-03-01 to 2003-01-31, Sedan, 7 versions) and 1 generation, restyling (2003-02-01 to 2008-01-31, Sedan, 8 versions). Every version is RWD.

Buy a Jaguar S-Type by matching engine, gearbox, and year band to how you will use it — not by the nameplate alone. The catalogue lists one generation in two production windows: 1 generation (1999-03-01 to 2003-01-31, Sedan, 7 versions) and 1 generation, restyling (2003-02-01 to 2008-01-31, Sedan, 8 versions). Every version is RWD. The restyle is the only window with Diesel; the first window is the only one with 4.0 AT. Two 4.2 AT cars share a name in both windows and must be split by power: 298 hp (boost No) versus 395 hp (boost Compressor).

Best year: 1 generation versus restyling

1 generation (1999–2003) is the buy if you want 4.0 AT (276 hp, 378 Nm, 3996 cm³, Gasoline, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, boost No, Automatic 5, RWD) or the lighter 4.2 AT 395 hp (kerb 1750 kg versus 1830 kg after restyle). Tank is 70 L on every first-window car. Fuel for 4.2 AT 298 hp is measured here (city 17.6 / highway 8.2 / mixed 11.5 L/100 km); after restyle those three figures are not measured.

1 generation, restyling (2003–2008) is the buy if you want Diesel 2.7 MT or 2.7 AT, a 6-speed Automatic on the petrol cars that already had Automatic, or a smaller 68 L tank. Same-name petrol engines keep the same power and torque; the restyle’s extra value is in the Diesel pair and in 3.0 AT going from 8.5 s to 100 km/h (226 km/h top) in the first window to 7.9 s and 233 km/h after restyle.

A 2000 S-Type is first-window only. A 2003 car can be either window (first ends 2003-01-31; restyle starts 2003-02-01). 2005, 2007, and 2008 cars are restyle only (restyle ends 2008-01-31).

Specs table: engines to compare

Version (window)hp / Nmcm³FuelCyl. / layoutBoostGearboxDrive
2.5 MT (both)200 / 2452497Gasoline6 / V-shapedNoManual 5RWD
2.5 AT (both)200 / 2452497Gasoline6 / V-shapedNoAutomatic 6RWD
3.0 MT (both)238 / 2932967Gasoline6 / V-shapedNoManual 5RWD
3.0 AT (both)238 / 2932967Gasoline6 / V-shapedNoAutomatic 6RWD
2.7 MT (restyle only)207 / 4352720Diesel6 / V-shapedTurboManual 6RWD
2.7 AT (restyle only)207 / 4352720Diesel6 / V-shapedTurboAutomatic 6RWD
4.0 AT (1 generation only)276 / 3783996Gasoline8 / V-shapedNoAutomatic 5RWD
4.2 AT 298 hp (both)298 / 4114196Gasoline8 / V-shapedNoAutomatic 6RWD
4.2 AT 395 hp (both)395 / 5414196Gasoline8 / V-shapedCompressorAutomatic 6RWD

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.5 80.1; 3.0 80.2; 2.7 Diesel 76.1; 4.0 AT 69.1; 4.2 AT 298 hp 71.0; 4.2 AT 395 hp 94.1. The Compressor 4.2 AT is the only engine that clearly beats the 6-cylinder petrols on specific output. The naturally aspirated 8-cylinder pair is below the 6-cylinder Gasoline engines on that measure.

Performance and mpg: what the extra displacement buys

0–100 km/h (fastest to slowest, restyle where both exist): 4.2 AT 395 hp 5.6 s; 4.2 AT 298 hp 6.5 s; 3.0 MT 7.6 s; 3.0 AT 7.9 s restyle / 8.5 s first window; 2.7 MT 8.5 s; 2.5 MT 8.6 s; 2.7 AT 8.6 s; 2.5 AT 9.9 s. 4.0 AT sits at 7.1 s — 0.6 s slower than 4.2 AT 298 hp and 1.5 s slower than 4.2 AT 395 hp.

Top speed: both 4.2 AT cars 250 km/h; 4.0 AT 242; 3.0 MT 235; restyle 3.0 AT 233; 2.7 MT 230; 2.5 MT 228; restyle 2.7 AT 227; first-window 3.0 AT 226; 2.5 AT 225.

Mixed consumption (L/100 km), where measured: restyle 2.7 MT 6.8; restyle 2.7 AT 8.0; 2.5 MT 9.5 (both windows); restyle 3.0 AT 10.8 and first-window 3.0 AT 10.8 (same mixed, different city/highway); first-window 4.2 AT 298 hp 11.5; 4.0 AT 12.3; restyle 4.2 AT 395 hp 12.4; first-window 4.2 AT 395 hp 12.5. Not measured mixed: 2.5 AT (both windows), 3.0 MT (both), restyle 4.2 AT 298 hp. CO2 and eco class: not measured on every version.

2.7 MT versus 2.5 MT (restyle): +7 hp, +190 Nm, 0–100 8.5 vs 8.6 s, mixed 6.8 vs 9.5 (−2.7 L/100 km), kerb 1722 vs 1620 kg. 2.7 AT versus restyle 3.0 AT: −31 hp, +142 Nm, 0–100 8.6 vs 7.9 s, mixed 8.0 vs 10.8 (−2.8 L/100 km), kerb 1790 vs 1710 kg.

Manual versus Automatic on the same petrol engine (restyle): 2.5 MT is 1.3 s quicker to 100 km/h than 2.5 AT (8.6 vs 9.9) and 3 km/h faster (228 vs 225); 3.0 MT is 0.3 s quicker than restyle 3.0 AT (7.6 vs 7.9) and 2 km/h faster (235 vs 233). 2.7 MT versus 2.7 AT: 0.1 s and 3 km/h (8.5 / 230 vs 8.6 / 227); mixed 6.8 vs 8.0; city 9.3 vs 10.9; highway 5.5 vs 6.1.

3.0 AT restyle versus 1 generation: 0–100 improves 0.6 s (7.9 vs 8.5); top speed +7 km/h (233 vs 226); city 16.3 vs 16.6; highway 7.8 vs 9.1 (−1.3); mixed unchanged at 10.8; kerb 1710 vs 1705 kg.

4.2 AT 395 hp restyle versus 1 generation: 0–100 and top speed unchanged (5.6 s, 250 km/h); city 18.6 vs 18.5; highway 9.3 vs 9.2; mixed 12.4 vs 12.5; kerb +80 kg (1830 vs 1750).

Dimensions and weight: kg per horsepower

Kerb ÷ hp (lower is less mass per unit of power):

Ground clearance is 140 mm where measured. Not measured clearance: restyle 3.0 MT, restyle 4.2 AT 298 hp. Tank: 70 L (1 generation) or 68 L (restyle) — 2 L less after restyle on every comparable version. Wheels measured on 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT: 205/60 R16 and 225/55 R16. Restyle 4.2 AT 395 hp: 245/40 R18 and 275/35 R18. First-window 3.0 MT: 235/50 R17, 225/55 R16, 245/40 R18. First-window 3.0 AT: 225/55 R16, 235/50 R17, 245/40 R18. First-window 4.2 AT 298 hp: 235/50 R17, 245/40 R18. First-window 4.0 AT: 235/50 R17, 245/40 R18, 225/55 R16. Not measured wheels: restyle 3.0 MT, 2.7 MT, 2.7 AT, 3.0 AT, 4.2 AT 298 hp.

Gross weight span: 2119 kg (4.0 AT) to 2275 kg (restyle 4.2 AT 395 hp). Diesel 2.7 cars share 2255 kg gross.

Which version to choose

Daily miles, restyle only — 2.7 MT. Lowest mixed figure in the data (6.8 L/100 km), 435 Nm at 1900 rpm, 8.5 s to 100 km/h, Manual 6. 2.7 AT if you want Automatic: mixed 8.0, still 2.8 L/100 km under restyle 3.0 AT, at the cost of 1790 kg kerb and 8.65 kg/hp.

Same petrol engine, fewer gears to row — 2.5 MT or 3.0 MT. 2.5 MT is the lightest petrol path (1620 kg, mixed 9.5). 3.0 MT is the quickest 6-cylinder (7.6 s, 235 km/h). Restyle 3.0 MT is 53 kg lighter than first-window 3.0 MT (1620 vs 1673); first-window 3.0 MT has measured wheels and 140 mm clearance, restyle 3.0 MT has both not measured plus fuel not measured.

Automatic petrol without an 8-cylinder — 3.0 AT after restyle. Same 238 hp as 3.0 MT, 0.6 s and 7 km/h better than first-window 3.0 AT, mixed still 10.8. Skip restyle 2.5 AT if 0–100 matters: 9.9 s is the slowest S-Type, and its fuel is not measured.

8-cylinder without Compressor — 4.2 AT 298 hp, preferably 1 generation. You gain 22 hp and 33 Nm over 4.0 AT (298/411 vs 276/378), 0.6 s and 8 km/h (6.5 s / 250 vs 7.1 s / 242), and a 6-speed Automatic versus 5. First-window 4.2 AT 298 hp is the only one of that pair with measured mpg (17.6 / 8.2 / 11.5). Restyle 4.2 AT 298 hp is 10 kg lighter (1740 vs 1750) but fuel, clearance, and wheels are not measured. Buy 4.0 AT only if you specifically want the 3996 cm³ engine and accept 5 gears, 7.1 s, 242 km/h, mixed 12.3, and compression ratio / bore × stroke not measured.

Fastest S-Type — 4.2 AT 395 hp. 395 hp, 541 Nm, 5.6 s, 250 km/h, 94.1 hp/L. First window: 1750 kg, 4.43 kg/hp, mixed 12.5. Restyle: 1830 kg, mixed 12.4, 245/40 R18 and 275/35 R18. Same 0–100 and top speed in both windows; the first window is the lighter car.

Do not treat two 4.2 AT listings as one car. 298 hp, boost No, 411 Nm, 6.5 s versus 395 hp, boost Compressor, 541 Nm, 5.6 s. Name collision is in the data; the split is power and boost.

Problems and reliability are not measured in this dataset; this comparison is only the published figures above.