Jaguar F-Type Convertible Review 2024

Jaguar F-Type Convertible At A Glance

4/5

+Stylish and highly desirable open top two-seater with stunning looks. Better to drive than the XK. Incredible sound. All-wheel drive versions are grippier and no less fun

-Very little luggage space especially with optional spare wheel. Tiresome engine drone on the motorway at times. Not quite as sharp to drive as a Porsche. Some build quality questions

New prices start from £57,260
Insurance Groups are between 44–50
On average it achieves 100% of the official MPG figure

If you remember when Gareth Southgate stepped up to take the sixth penalty against the Germans at Euro 96, you’ll know about the pressure of being English and having one shot to beat the Germans. Step in the Jaguar F-Type, a Convertible sports car designed both to encapsulate all that’s great about Jaguar - and more pragmatically - steal sales from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and BMW two-seaters.

Much of the talk in the build up to the launch of the F-Type, which came as a Convertible first with the Coupé following a year later, was of it being the first true successor to the now legendary E-Type – hence the pressure. And while it’s true that the F-Type can trace its lineage back to the E-Type, it’s in fact a direct replacement for the rather less legendary (though still very good) XK.

The first clue is in the proportions – the F-Type is shorter, lower and wider than the XK – while even the basic 340PS V6 version serves up a hard-edged soundtrack that out-screams virtually everything else on the road. And of course, with the top down the whole sensation is amplified.

Yet the F-Type Convertible still makes a convincing, largely comfortable touring car while providing eight-tenths of the plug-in, sheer driving brilliance of a Porsche Boxster or 911 – models that are both F-Type alternatives because of the sheer breadth of the Jaguar’s model range.

The expansive Convertible range starts at around the £60,000 mark with a 340PS 3.0-litre V6 supercharged, equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. It tops out with the SVR model – a four-wheel drive 575PS supercar lite with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, a 195mph top speed and 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds. Tuned by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team, it costs £115,000.

Just below that in the range is the F-Type R, with 550PS, and the range is completed with the 380PS supercharged V6 models, badged S and the best balance of price, performance and specification that the range offers. Unlike the base model V6, the S is available with four-wheel drive. 

Real MPG average for a Jaguar F-Type Convertible

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

100%

Real MPG

22–33 mpg

MPGs submitted

17

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Can anyone change a Jaguar F-Type battery?

"I own a 2018 Jaguar F type 3.0 (380) with 14,000 miles on the clock. Recently, I've started to experience battery issues. The car only does 2,000 miles a year and often spends three or four weeks without starting. I'm assume the battery is discharging and then re-charging when I start the car. I've had a couple of occasions where a warning message has appeared stating: 'battery low do not switch off engine'. Should I replace the battery? Is this something I can do myself? Can I fit a trickle charger or would the car need some type of modification in order to use one?"
It reads like the battery is, as you say, discharging near to empty and then recharging each time. Really you shouldn't leave a car for more than about two or three weeks before starting it as that'll kill the battery more quickly than keeping it at a good charge level. It's likely you do need a new battery and they are relatively easy to fit yourself, however some owners report that the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) needs to be reset via official diagnostic software through an independent garage or dealer. Many owners said they didn't do this and no issues arose, however. If this is the case it's only the electric windows that may need resetting to position them. We can't find any reason why your battery can't be trickle charged, though.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Can you recommend a reliable, good-looking, two-seater sports car?

"I have £30,000 cash to spend on a two-seater sports car. Now, hopefully, with better weather and improved prospects on the horizon, what would you advise to buy? The looks and street cred are important, preferably a classic look and I want something reliable. Performance is not a top priority. Don't want MG, Triumph or an MX-5. Any ideas? Many Thanks."
How about a Jaguar F-Type? It's a very stylish choice available as a coupe or convertible. A Porsche Boxster or Cayman could be a good alternative. None of these will be cheap to run, though. A Mazda MX-5 is unbeatable if that's what you're after.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Is my local Jaguar dealer liable for the repairs costs of my F-Type?

"I have a 2013 Jaguar F-Type, which I have owned from new. The car developed a misfire and was transported back to the main dealer by the AA. The dealer diagnosed two spark plug failures and changed all six. 20 miles later the misfire re-appeared and the garage diagnosed an injector problem on cylinder four, but they snapped the injector off in the cylinder head by using a slide hammer to remove it. They are now quoting me £6000+ to replace the cylinder head and all ancillaries. I have told them I hold them responsible for the additional problem but to go ahead and to keep me informed. They know I will seek redress at a later stage. My internet research indicates that injector failure on the F-Type is not uncommon and that using an unapproved force to remove it will likely result in a snapped injector. I have asked the dealer if Jaguar will show goodwill to a valued customer and defray some of the costs. They said they would try. Are they liable for the additional costs including the charge for an incorrect diagnosis and six plugs which did not need to be replaced? What should I do? "
If anyone is liable for this the garage is; definitely not JLR unless JLR choses to intervene with some financial help for the dealers. This FAQ answer is more about rejecting cars or getting fault cars fixed or replaced, but the law is pretty much the same: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Answered by Honest John

Buying a used sports car - 911 or F-Type?

"I am thinking of buying a used sports car. Either a 2009 Porsche Carrera S (DFI engine) Cabrio or a 2013 Jaguar F-Type S. The 911 is £45k with 26,000 miles and manual from a well respected independent Porsche specialist and the Jag is £44k from main dealer with 16,000 miles. The Jag has two year warranty and the 911 the independents in house 1 year warranty which I've read is well respected. I plan to keep the car for 18 months before selling, which would you go for? "
To be 2013 the F-Type must be a roadster and I guess the V6S, not the V8S? Assuming it's a roadster I suggest you open the boot because if you carry a space saver spare there's hardly any room for anything else: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/jaguar/jaguar-f-type-2013-road-test/ The Porsche is going to be a 997 and a 2009 will have the stronger intermediate shaft so less likelihood of the engine grenading. The dealer can download data from the ECU that shows if the engine has ever been over-revved (which can happen on a missed downshift, despite the rev-limiter). If it has been over-revved, Porsche will not warrant it. Lot more luggage space. But the two year warranty on the Jag removes any worry at all during your projected 18 month tenure. I don't think that proportionately the Jag will now lose a lot more money than the Porsche. Porsche prices have now gone nuts and have probably overheated.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Jaguar F-Type Convertible cost?