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Premium sporty/performance car; Built in
  • 2-door convertible
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $45,100 – $70,100*


2014 Jaguar F-Type


2014 Jaguar F-Type


2014 Jaguar F-Type


2014 Jaguar F-Type

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Roadholding
  • Steering feel
Cons:
  • Cargo room
  • Price

At just over $100,000 our test car was no bargain, but it was stuffed to the gills with options, and perfectly capable of running with vehicles that cost far more. Most importantly, the F-Type is fun to drive, ridiculously so.

Overview

F-Type was Jaguar’s first sports car in almost forty years and was the successor to the iconic E-Type. The 2-seat F-Type was a front-engine, rear-drive convertible. It was smaller and less expensive than Jaguar’s XK coupe and convertible.

The base V6 model used a supercharged 340-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. V6 S models got a 380-horsepower variant of the supercharged 3.0-liter engine. The F-Type V8 S was fitted with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. It was rated at 495 horsepower.

All three engines were equipped direct injection and an engine-idle stop-start system. The only available gearbox was an 8-speed automatic. All F-Types were rear-wheel drive.

The 2014 Jaguar F-Type included all expected and government-mandated safety features. Small roll bars that were mounted behind each seat were standard on all F-TYPE variants.

The F-Type’s competition included the BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche Boxster.

Yearly Updates

2014 F-Type

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive

The base V6 model used a supercharged 340-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. V6 S models got a 380-horsepower variant of the supercharged 3.0-liter engine. The F-Type V8 S was fitted with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. It was rated at 495 horsepower.

Supercharged dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/183
Engine HP 340
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 332
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 20/28
Supercharged dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/183
Engine HP 380
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 339
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 19/27
Supercharged dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.0/305
Engine HP 495
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 364
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 16/23

 17

Road Test

The S V6 is quick and the S V8 is faster still. Jaguar says the S accelerates 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the V8 S cuts the time to 4.2 seconds. Those claims seem accurate. The F-Type is strong off the line and the automatic transmission delivers immediate downshifts for highway passing. No opportunity to test base V6.

The EPA rates the base V6 at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. The V6 S is estimated at 19/27, and the V8 S comes in at 16/23. All F-Types require premium-grade gasoline. In a run of 109.3 miles, 40 percent of them under city-style traffic conditions, this driver averaged 17.39 mpg in a V8S—close to the EPA combined estimate of 18 mpg.

The F-Type has the firm suspension expected of a sports car, but the ride is never uncomfortable. The adaptive suspension of the S and S V8 ensures a controlled ride. The rigid convertible body exhibits no flex over sharp bumps. There is no difference in the ride of an S with optional 20-inch wheels and a V8 S.

The F-Type has sports car moves. The suspension is well controlled and is aided by stiff body structure. The steering is quick, but it was the steering feel that stole my heart. Few cars combine so deftly the feel, feedback, and genuinely rewarding heft of the F-Type’s steering.

The exhaust is the predominant sound and some testers thought it too loud and unrefined. With the top up, the cabin is quiet by sports car standards. Top down, conversation is possible without raising voices. Optional on S and V8 S is a selectable active exhaust system. Pressing a button gives a louder exhaust note and the slightest pressure on the accelerator results in more growl. The V8 S has the added entertainment of a crackling exhaust when the throttle is lifted going downhill.

Climate controls are simple rotary dials. Those dials also control the available heated seats—an improvement on other Jaguar models that require delving into the menus of the touch screen. The top of the speedometer is blocked by the steering wheel, but a redundant digital reading between the gauges helps. The power convertible top can be raised or lowered in 12 seconds at speeds under 30 mph.

The interior is more businesslike than luxurious, however high-quality materials and good fit and finish create a good environment. Soft-touch materials cover almost all of interior.

The seats are well shaped and padded. Power adjustment for both seats and steering wheel make it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Thick A-pilars can interfere with vision when turning corners. The roll bars can block vision to the rear.

A weekend for two will require careful packing and soft luggage. Interior storage is not so great with a smallish glove box and arm-rest console box. Door pockets are the best bet.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2014 V8S

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 10
100%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 9
90%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 0
00%
Cargo Room - 2
20%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 56

Specifications

2-door convertible
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
103.2 176.0 75.7 51.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
7.0 19.0 2.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
37.0 — 43.0 —
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Transmission problems
Description: The transmission filter may detach from the transmission oil pan. (2014)

Recall History

2014 F-Type
Description: The seatbelt wiring harness connector for the Seatbelt Tension Sensor (STS) and Occupant Classification Sensor Control Module (OCSCM) may not have been properly wired. The airbag may remain activated when a when a child restraint or a small adult is in the seat.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 20, 2016.
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