Used Jaguar F-Type Coupé 2014-2024 review

On the one hand, looks are subjective and who are we to tell you the ravishing from the revolting? On the other hand, if the Jaguar F-Type looks revolting to you, get down to your local opticians and book an eye test, pronto.

In either coupé or convertible form, the F-type exudes class and luxury – this review focuses on the former shape.

Engines & Performance: Under that handsome bonnet is a good range of powerful engines. Even the entry-level F-Type has a powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that will propel the car to a top speed of 155mph. The 335bhp supercharged V6 will get you from 0-62mph in 5.1sec – you’ll find a handful of these F-Types with a manual gearbox, but as the shift is a little unsatisfying our advice is to go for the excellent automatic instead.

Opting for the V6 S will get you 375bhp and from 0-62mph in 4.8sec (as well as adaptive dampers for a smoother, if still firm, ride), while the flagship V8 R with 542bhp will cover the same sprint in just 4.0 sec, making it a true supercar contender.

Befitting its extra performance, the F-Type R also comes with a more advanced vehicle dynamics system and firmer suspension to put the power to the road, plus uprated carbon-ceramic brakes. You’ll need all this too because the rear-wheel-drive V8 F-Type is a lively machine. It is perhaps no surprise that Jaguar made four-wheel drive standard on the V8 from 2015, as well as an option on the V6 S.

If the F-Type R still has you yearning for more noise and performance, a 567bhp SVR version has been offered since early 2016 that just so happens to be the first Jaguar since the XJ220 to have a top speed in excess of 200mph.

Ride & Handling: On the road, the F-Type is heavier than some rivals, and it occasionally feels it, but it can still attack corners with gusto, as the steering is precise and the grip levels good. However, with so much power available, it's easy to get things out of shape, especially in the wet. The handling is eager, though, and the F-Type is quick to respond, so it never threatens to cause you harm, and in the end it emerges as a car that's remarkably good fun to drive.

The ride is certainly sports car firm, but it's not overly bumpy. As mentioned, the more powerful V6 models and above come with an adaptive suspension that helps to smooth out some of the larger bumps.

The interior has room for two tall adults, helped by the low-mounted sports seats, and a steering wheel that adjusts electrically for reach and height, providing the kind of perfect driving position you’d expect of a modern sports car.

The downside of sitting so low is that it’s not terribly easy to judge where the corners of the car are, so it’s worth taking the time to seek out an F-Type with front parking sensors and possibly a reversing camera too.

Interior & Practicality: Early F-Types’ infotainment system wasn’t great when new and today it seems positively antiquated, being slow to respond and sometimes awkward to navigate, although from 2017 onwards, Jaguar fitted a newer system, and it’s better – although still not the best.

The interior is otherwise wonderfully snug and mostly well finished. If you can find a car with the upgraded Performance seats with their quilted leather and additional support all the better. These are standard on the V8 R but optional on V6 F-Types.

Keeping things up-to-date, a refresh in 2017 was followed by another in 2020 to reinvigorate its styling, add some new tech inside and tweak the engine lineup. To that end, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine became the P300, and the P450 was the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with 444bhp. The P575 – exclusive to the F-Type R – is a version of the same V8 engine, but with even more power.

Interested in buying a used Jaguar F-Type? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used Jaguar F-Type for around £19,000 and, for the money, expect a 2014/'15 V6 model with around 70,000 miles on the clock. If you'd like a car with less than 40,000 miles to its name, have upwards of £23,000 to spend. For a V8 model, you'll need around £30,000, rising to £46,000 for the SVR.

F-Types from 2017 cost from around £24,000. Make that 2020 and you're looking at £30,000 at least. Nearly new 2024 examples demand upwards of £49,000.

Regardless of what version of the F-Type you are considering, it’s worth seeing what models are being retailed through the firm’s approved used scheme, because you get the reassurance of a full inspection and two-year unlimited mileage warranty.

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MPG: On paper the newer 2.0 F-Type claims the best average fuel consumption, with a figure of 35.8mpg under the older NEDC tests. This was lowered to 31.2mpg under the later WLTP tests. You might just be able to coax 30mpg out of a V6 F-Type, but only if you resist exploring its performance potential. Mind you, that’s still better than the V8, which you can almost hear gulping fuel every time you accelerate. If you get much more than 20mpg, you’ll be doing well.

Road tax: Road tax is also predictably expensive, starting at £280 per year for the base car and rising all the way to £525 per year for the R and SVR. Cars registered after the tax changes of April 2017 came into force will pay a flat rate of tax, currently £190 per year, but those that cost over £40,000 new - that's all of them, in fact - will pay a supplementary luxury car tax, which is currently £410 per year (from the second to fifth year after the car is registered).

Servicing: Check if the previous owner had purchased a service plan, which for up to £1500 will take care of five annual services. Otherwise you’re looking at about £380 for a minor service or £550 for a major one.

Reliability

As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said that the Jaguar F-Type is mixed for reliability and dealer service. Many owners noted recurring issues, including electrical faults, warning lights, malfunctioning infotainment systems, occasional engine troubles, and cooling system failures. These problems often required multiple dealership visits.

Experiences with Jaguar dealerships varied widely. Some customers reported excellent service, with knowledgeable staff and timely repairs, often covered under warranty. Others encountered long wait times, poor communication, and costly out-of-warranty repairs. A few owners expressed frustration with the inconsistency in service quality across different dealerships.

Discover more about used Jaguar F-Type Coupé reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

Trims: Even the cheapest Jaguar F-Types are packed with equipment including climate control, sat-nav, rear parking sensors and a DAB radio. Choosing the S adds a switchable sports exhaust, cruise control, adaptive dampers, a limited-slip differential and full leather seats, while R models also have upgraded hardware to cope with the additional power of the V8 engine and a more powerful stereo. The SVR adds to this with an even more aggressive bodykit, and plenty of carbonfibre to reduce weight.

Engines: Based on cost and performance, we think the entry-level V6 represents the sweet spot in the range, particularly if you can find one with a few choice upgrades such as front parking sensors and Performance seats.

Our favourite Jaguar F-Type: 3.0 V6 340 automatic

A chief rival for the Jaguar F-Type is the Porsche Cayman. To drive, the F-Type isn't quite as sharp as the Porsche and nor is its infotainment system as good, but as an object of desire it’s not difficult to see why the Jaguar might still take your fancy.

Those considering a V8 or SVR might find themselves tempted by a Porsche 911 or Audi R8 for a similar amount of money. Both are arguably better all-rounders than the Jaguar, if lacking in some of its unashamed exuberance.

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Interested in buying a used Jaguar F-Type? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.