Ironically, or perhaps appropriately, the current S-Type has evolved almost as thoroughly in its nine years on the market. Jaguar substantially re-styled the S-Type for 2005, giving it a sharper, cleaner, more assertive face, with a more sharply defined V-shaped bulge in its hood.
At the same time, the S-type acquired a longer, leaner look down the side with better integrated door sills. Around back, its distinctive round tail lamps provided a more technical, jewel-like appearance and blended smoothly into the new curves of the tail. The wider rear trunk finisher was simplified, running the full width between the new rear lamps. Jaguar claims the subtly re-shaped trunk reduced both lift and drag.
The changes continued for 2006 when the chrome mesh grille previously seen only on the high-performance R-model became standard across the lineup.
The wipers feature an interesting washing system, with the washer jets incorporated into the wiper arms for better coverage. Lever-style door handles remain, which are aerodynamic but we find them harder to grab than the kind you slide your fingers through.
Body panels fit closely together. 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. By 2003 Jaguar had risen to third from the top, just below Lexus and Cadillac. For 2007, Jaguar still scores in the top eight in an increasingly competitive race, where that rating represents a much higher standard of quality than it did a decade ago.
