The Jaguar S-Type was only introduced in late spring 1999 as a 2000 model, yet as is often the case in the car business, a mid-cycle update arrived for the 2003 model year.

In the 2003 car, the seats are all-new, as are the instrument panel, center console and trim. On the outside, Jag officials point to some tweaks to the sheetmetal. They're subtle and you won't spot them unless you're a devoted fan. The body structure was stiffened for 2003, and, of course, there is the supercharged S-Type R with its 400 hp engine and 0-100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds.

In any case, it seems timely to look back on the S-Type's first three years in the market. After all, many people lease these luxury cars, so nearly-new buyers have a little choice out there.

Well, on the quality front, the S-Type has done quite well. There have been only two safety recalls and a handful of service bulletins (see attached). For most of the S-Type's life, Jaguar cars in general have ranked above average in J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study - although in the most recent one Jaguar fell slightly below average to 142 problems per 100 vehicles (the average was 133).

Prices? They've held up reasonably well. A 2000 S-Type with the V6 engine can be had for about 64 per cent of its original sticker. At least that's what the Canadian Red Book of Used Car Prices is reporting.

The hard data is nice to have, but frankly most people buy a Jaguar for its looks. So if you're shopping, before you climb behind the wheel, spend a little time reading the bulges above the headlights of the S-Type. Notice that they sweep back in the hood in a swath of curves and valleys. From different angles, as the light changes, the paint drifts from shade to shade. Of course we would expect nothing less than gorgeous, curvy sheetmetal. Alas, the rear end seems a bit blunt.

Inside, the cabin is defined by the Connolly soft leather and polished bird's-eye maple of the steering wheel, seats and interior trim. Yes, the instruments are black and basic and blah, but other parts are just right. What didn't work well was improved for 2003.

For power, the S-Type has been sold with either a 3.0-litre 240-horsepower V6 or a 4.0-litre 281-hp V8. The V8 is Jaguar's own AJ engine, while the V6 is a tweaked version of the engine that does service in Ford's Taurus. The only transmission sold in North America is a five-speed automatic with Normal and Sport modes and semi-manual shifting.

Obviously, the V8 is more zoomy. It gets you from 0-100 km/h in about seven seconds, or so. The V6 is reasonably smooth, responsive and capable. Regardless of engine, this is a very pleasant car to drive. The handling is agile enough, though not the same as a rival BMW 5-series. Steering is linear and pretty sharp, the brakes easy to modulate and quite muscular.

All S-Types regardless of engine have been sold with the usual array of luxury do-dads. Look out for cars with the Total Sports Package option, which includes 17-inch sport wheels and bigger tires (P235/50ZR17), along with Jaguar's Computer Active Technology Suspension.

The latter is a computerized suspension management system that irons out the bumps without sacrificing tight handling. If you want the Dynamic Stability Control system, limit your search only to V8s. This high-tech system incorporates traction control and other electronic aids to keep the car in line. Some cars have also been sold with voice-activated controls for telephone/audio/climate controls.

What's not to like? Rear leg room is kinda tight, the trunk is smallish and the windshield pillars block some of the view to the side.

Buyer's alerts

Recalls

Road Test
Access: B
Driving position: B
Instruments/Controls: B-
Visibility: C+
Climate Control: B
Steering: B
Brakes: B
Handling: B
Acceleration: B
Engine: B-
Transmission: B
Interior space: B-
Trunk/Cargo: C+
Noise/Vibration/Harshness: B

Durability/Reliability
Overall: B+
Mechanical: B+
Hardware/Body/Paint/Trim: B+

Safety
Anti-lock braking: yes
Airbags (driver/passenger): yes/yes
Traction control: yes
Driver/Passenger Front Crash Protection: N