The Jaguar F-Type is one of the best-sounding sports cars on the market. But the cabin has room for improvement, and you might want to think twice about the value of this $90,000 car.
With the he 2017 Jaguar F-Type, you slip into the driver’s seat rather than step or climb in. As far as the cabin feelings go, this one is like a cozy blanket.
The interior feels posh, insulated and comfortable. Most surfaces feel well-made and suitable for the type of car that costs almost a hundred grand.
Granted, the dashboard layout is horrible. The infotainment system is slow and dated. The shifter blocks access to key infotainment controls (but you can use the steering wheel-mounted buttons instead).
Meanwhile, the centre stack swoops around your right leg and continues on past your right elbow, through your shoulder and to the back of the coupe.
The way the cockpit surrounds you is a testament to how this is a car for people who like to drive. But does it deliver a “driver’s” car?
The specific car I reviewed was a 3.0-litre V6-powered S model, which produces 380 horses from the supercharged engine.
Before you even hit the gas pedal, just from turning this engine on with the starter button, your ears are feasted to a glorious soundtrack.
Honestly, if you enjoy listening to music while you drive, great. But this car doesn’t need any more music. The exhaust note sounds good enough.
In fact it’s so good, kids on my street turn their heads to take a look before it even passes their view. My wife can even hear me coming home from a few hundred metres away.
No, it’s not Mustang-aftermarket-exhaust loud. Nor is it that cheesy. It just sounds deep, throaty and solid.
Performance-wise, the engine is not bad. You’d kinda expect this car to fly, which it does. It’s just that the vehicle itself is a little heavy so the feeling of acceleration didn’t really come through to the driver.
Sure, you put your foot down and hear the baritone notes from the engine, the speedometer shoots up, and next thing you know you’re lifting off the pedal so that you don’t get a massive ticket.
However, the sensation of speed is muted within the cabin. Personally, I like to feel that I’m flying.
It’s not like there’s space to take advantage of that speed in Toronto. In fact, I never got above third gear one time driving from Mississauga to midtown Toronto along the 401 during rush hour.
The brakes were fantastic, erasing speed with ease. The suspension was taunt, but not so hard that you’d need to see a chiropractor on a weekly basis.
It was all very civilized and very orderly. Unless you kick the accelerator as your turning.
See, this Jag is a rear-wheel drive model (you can get it with all-wheel drive too). But sending all that supercharged power to the rear wheels can result in a bit of oversteer. And next thing you know you’re fighting with the wheel to keep things going straight.
This aspect of the F-Type will definitely keep you on your toes. But it’s also a feature that will keep you excited, it won’t let you get complacent and it’ll deliver exactly what a sports car is meant to deliver – an experience above and beyond a normal sedan.
In the looks department, the F-Type nails it. I’ve never had so much interest in a car like this one.
It was particularly from the kids, tugging at their dad’s shirts or slapping their friends on the shoulder to check out this car. It just looks eyecatching even when your left leg is getting a workout with the clutch in rush hour traffic.
Downsides? It’s a two-door car, and the doors seem particularly long. That makes getting in and out of the car in thin spaces a little more challenging.
The trunk is for slim luggage, even though there’s no rear seat (this is strictly for two).
The audio system wasn’t amazing, which you’d expect better in a tester that was $106,725. The sound was at time distorted, particularly when it wasn’t turned up. Either a previous reviewer blew the speakers, or the speakers are cheap. I hope it was the former and not the latter.
And you know what, the HVAC vents that raise from the dashboard makes up for any shortcomings.
As does the exhaust note. Did I mention that?
Fast Facts:
2017 Jaguar F-Type S Coupe
Canadian base price: $89,500 (base)
Price as tested: $106,725
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Horsepower: 380
What’s hot: Exhaust sound
What’s not: Cabin layout