We approached the 2001 Jaguar S-Type with a healthy dose of skepticism, because a lot of other reviewers have used words like “sublime,” “refined” and “sophisticated” to describe it.  This set off our Rhetoric Alarms; a lot of car folk pay too much lip service to Jaguar, Mercedes, and Porsche thanks to the heritage of these makes, and not necessarily because of the quality of the current product.  Personally, we’d never met a Jaguar before, so we had no reason to be moved by its Jaguarness.

We drove it, and can confidently, objectively report that that the new S-Type is sublime, refined, and sophisticated.  It’s not rhetoric.

A lot of people weren’t convinced that Jaguar had truly been revived by Ford Motor Company until the S-Type hit showrooms in mid-1999.  With styling heavily inspired by classic Jaguars, the all-new midsize Jag was an instant hit.  The fact that they didn’t fall apart (as Jaguars throughout the 1980s were known to do) was a big bonus, too.  For 2001 the S-Type gains a reverse-sensing parking aid, and Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) status.

The S-Type’s styling sets it apart from the luxury crowd instantly, and that’s not an easy thing to do.  It’s unabashedly inspired by the famed Jaguar 3.8 S-type of the early ’60s, with quad round headlamps and a narrow oval grille.  The hood is contoured to match the headlights, and Jaguar’s trademark “leaper” cat hood ornament is prominent.  The 16″ wheels that are standard on the 3.0 S-Type fill the wells nicely.  A character line running from front to rear mimics the shape of the classic S-type as it slopes to a gently tapered rear end.  It’s a pleasing car to look at.

The elegance carries through to the interior.  The dash and steering wheel are accented with birds-eye maple wood.  There’s plenty of elbow room, but the S-Type feels very snug and confidential inside–interestingly, without a cockpit-style dashboard.  A U-shaped center panel keeps the S-Type’s ancillary controls within easy reach, although the small forest of buttons takes some getting used to.  An optional navigation system is housed in the dash; its screen was replaced by a handy storage drawer in our test car.  A voice-activated control system operates the climate control, stereo, and cell phones, and learns to recognize the owner’s voice.  The shifter gate is also U-shaped, another Jaguar trademark.  Visibility to the rear can be a bit tight, thanks to the narrow window back there, but the view out the front, with the charming hood ornament just in sight, is captivating enough that you’ll rarely notice.

We were truly won over after getting the S-Type on the road, though.  It’s a heavy car (almost two tons), but with 240 horsepower on tap from a 3.0 liter V6, our S-Type 3.0 L test car moved with authority.  True to the car’s mission in life, though, it didn’t mind just cruising, either.  Few cars can handle such power without a constant sense of urgency, but the morning drive in an S-Type feels more like a restful break at a quiet coffee shop than a commute.  Electronic throttle control and variable valve timing give allow the S-Type to respond smoothly or forcefully, depending on what’s needed.  A five-speed automatic transmission handles shifting details seamlessly.  For the shamelessly aggressive, the more powerful S-Type 4.0 offers a 281 horsepower 32-valve V8, and a sportier suspension.

Should the need for speed arise, the S-Type is up to the challenge.  An all-aluminum, fully independent double-wishbone suspension at all four corners is used instead of the more common MacPherson strut setup.  The S-Type is taut and controlled when the road gets twisty, and the handling is confidence-inspiring.  It’s just as smooth while attacking curves as it is on a glass-flat freeway, too.  All-speed traction control and antilock brakes are standard equipment.  Jaguar’s optional Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system is also included; it detects when the car’s path of travel has deviated from the intended direction, as in a skid, and uses the brakes to help straighten the car.

Befitting its luxury status, the S-Type’s list of standard equipment is generous.  Dual-zone air conditioning, leather interior, a full-size, parking assist, matched spare tire, and front and side airbags are included in the $43,655 base price.  The 4.0 L adds a premium sound system and a moonroof to the basic equipment list.  To make the S-Type the envy of any gadget-hound, the navigation system, voice activated controls, rain-sensing wipers, DSC, heated seats, and a computer-aided active suspension can be added to the list.

We rarely approach a car with a chip on our shoulder,–but it’s a refreshing surprise to have it knocked off with authority when we do.  The Jaguar S-Type is such a car, capable of winning over even the most hardened cynics with a short drive.  Be careful–it’ll spoil you.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2001 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 L, which we tested.
Length:     191.3 in.
Width:        71.6 in.
Height:        55.7 in.
Wheelbase:    114.5 in.
Curb weight:    3816 lb.
Cargo space:    13.1 cu.ft.
Base price:    $43,655
Price as tested: $44,250
Engine:     3.0 liter 24 valve DOHC V6
Drivetrain:     five-speed automatic, rear wheel drive
Horsepower:     240 @ 6800
Torque:     221 @ 4500
Fuel capacity:    18.4 gal.
Est. mileage:    18/25