| DRIVING RATING: |
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For a large saloon, the S-Type is fairly easy to drive. Certainly we've no complaints about the driving position - which is higher than in traditional Jaguars - while the instrumentation is very clear, too. Controls on the dashboard are easy to master, and we like the touch-screen display, which the car can be fitted with to control the satellite navigation and stereo. Touch-screen is more preferable than the BMW 7-Series' i-Drive knob or a similar single-input-device. The electric handbrake is also useful, incidentally - a switch where the original lever would have been. Some modern cars have electronic handbrake controls on the dashboard, and you have to lean forward to activate them. The Jaguar's is much better, among the best in class for ergonomics.
The S-Type makes a good sports saloon, though it's not quite as interactive and sharp as the latest BMW 5-Series. Even the base V6 has poise, with 200bhp and a five-speed manual gearbox to back it up. A six-speed auto is available as an option, and comes as standard on some higher models in the range. Sport and supercharged 'R' versions are stiffer-sprung and more aggressive, but all S-Types come with responsive, linear and well weighted steering and good body control - considering the car's weight. We reckon it's now one of the best cars in this class to drive.
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