Jaguar F-Type Convertible Review & Prices

The Jaguar F-Type Convertible is rather like the actor Benedict Cumberbatch. Not merely because both are British and handsome, but because — like Cumberbatch with Sherlock Holmes — the F-Type took something apparently out of date and made it feel modern and cool again. Only instead of a Victorian detective, Jaguar updated the classic front-engined sports car. 

With its long bonnet and short rear, the F-Type Convertible made visual waves wherever it went, and there seems to be a roughly even split between those who prefer the early, vertical headlight style, and those who like the later, slim and horizontal headlights. 

The F-Type Convertible sits in a slightly strange middle section of the sports car market, where the basic four-cylinder model competes with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4, but the pricier V6 and V8 models take on the Porsche 911 and the Aston Martin Vantage. 

Whether you’re a fan or not, the F-Type Convertible will earn its place in the history books, as it’s the last petrol-powered sports car that Jaguar will (probably) ever make. Production actually ended in 2023, but there were still a handful of unsold models still available through 2024. Either way, you’re exclusively looking at used examples now.

The slim, horizontal headlights were brought in as part of a general facelift in 2020, but they were pretty much the only exterior visual change over the F-Type’s lifetime. Which is fine, as something this gorgeous didn’t really need it. The Convertible was the first F-Type model to be launched, back in 2013, while the — arguably even prettier — Coupe came along in 2014. 

The cabin never changed all that much in terms of style, although Jaguar did spend most of the F-Type Convertible’s lifetime tinkering with the infotainment screen. It got better over time, but alternatives from BMW and Porsche always had slicker infotainment systems. The sat-nav was also rubbish, but thankfully Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were introduced early on. Equally, although it never felt flimsy inside, the F-Type also never quite pulled off the rock-solid quality feeling of the German options.

The F-Type Convertible is roomy and comfortable for two people in the front (although storage space isn’t great) but unlike the Porsche 911, there’s no back seat at all, so practicality is limited. It’s even more limited by the boot, which is tiny and shallow, and into which you’ll struggle to fit much more than a couple of small squashy bags. 

Originally, the F-Type launched with a choice of two V6 engines, and a range-topping supercharged V8. They were later joined by a powerful F-Type R V8, and that engine was later upgraded with even more power. The F-Type was almost always sold with an automatic gearbox, but there was a brief production run of manual-gearbox V6S models in 2015, which are worth tracking down if you want to have a little more driver interaction. The V8 models started with rear-wheel drive, and then became four-wheel drive as standard, while in 2017, the entry-level 300hp four-cylinder turbo F-Type came along. 

There are big price gaps between all of these models, with a four-cylinder F-Type being surprisingly affordable, while the V8s unsurprisingly aren’t. A V6, which still has an astonishing exhaust sound, is a really good compromise between the two. 

There were even sportier R and SVR models, as well as the run out 75th Anniversary edition, but while no F-Type is what you’d call slow, equally no F-Type can match the handling and steering precision of a Porsche Boxster or 911. Mind you, the F-Type is still lots of fun, and the V8 versions feel almost like updated 1960s AC Cobras. 

So, if you want a car that looks and sounds amazing, and is only slightly less enticing to drive (although not in any sense practical) then definitely search for a Jaguar F-Type Convertible. 

You can get a great price on a used F-Type through Carwow, as well as browse other used Jaguars from our network of trusted dealers. Need to sell your current car? Well, Carwow can help with that, too.

At its basic level, with the 300hp four-cylinder engine, the F-Type Convertible was usually around £10,000 more expensive than an entry-level Porsche Boxster, but equally usually a little better equipped as standard. V8 versions pushed that price way upwards, with the priciest models topping the £90,000 mark — mind you, that’s still a little less than you’d pay for a basic 911 these days, and the V8 Jag went harder and sounded better. 

Serious performance for any model without the four-cylinder engine (and even that’s not bad) but the F-Type rides comfortably too. It’s not great around town, though

In town

The F-Type follows in the grand Jaguar tradition of making cars that are sporty and fun to drive, but which aren’t too stiff-riding nor uncomfortable. In fact, the F-Type Convertible is pretty easy-going to drive at urban speeds. 

The long nose can make parking a bit tricky, and the turning circle isn’t great — a Porsche Boxster feels more manoeuvrable. The F-Type has good visibility forwards, though, but with the convertible roof up, there are chunky blind spots over your shoulder. 

Ride comfort is actually very good, with only really sharp speed bumps causing any major discomfort and the steering is light at low speeds, so you won’t feel too taxed when heading into town. 

On the motorway

If you’re undertaking regular long motorway journeys — or just fancy popping to Milan of an afternoon — then you’d be better off getting an F-Type Coupe, which is more refined compared to the Convertible, and better for long runs. Even so, the Convertible’s soft-top is well-made and well-insulated, so it’s not going to feel too hair-shirt even on the motorway.

The bass-heavy exhaust note can become a little wearing on longer journeys — especially if we’re talking about the older V6 models — but thankfully the exhaust comes with a bypass valve which, when you press a button on the dashboard, quietens things down a bit. 

The F-Type never came with adaptive cruise control as standard — it was an option other than for high-spec models, which these days feels like a bit of an omission, and it may well be a deal-breaker for long-haul buyers. There was lane-keeping steering, but it’s far from the best and most reactive system around. 

On a twisty road

Here we go, this is where the F-Type comes into its own. There’s something truly life-affirming about heading down a twisty road, with the roof down, and listening to the burble and overrun pops of either a V6 or V8 F-Type. Both engines came with pretty strong acceleration — the later 575hp V8 is properly savage — but with optional four-wheel drive, the F-Type never feels less than utterly composed. Very good steering, with excellent feedback (again, not quite as good as you’ll get from a Porsche) helps in this regard. 

Don’t discount the basic 300hp four-cylinder model. Sure, it’s the lesser F-Type, but it’s actually very sweet to drive, not least because it’s carrying much less weight on the nose than the V6 or V8 models. Any F-Type Convertible is really good fun to drive, though. 

Would you have more fun, and enjoy more precision, in a Porsche Boxster or 911? Yes, unquestionably so, but then you also wouldn’t have a car that’s quite so gorgeous, and definitely not one that sounds this good. 

With only two seats and not much storage space, the F-Type is far from practical, but it’s at least spacious enough for two 

The F-Type Convertible is a strict two-seater, but it’s reasonably roomy and comfortable for those two people. Mind you, you will feel the lack of even ‘occasional’ back seats, as while the likes of the Porsche 911 might not have much real human passenger space in the back, it is a useful extra storage area. 

The driver and passenger in the F-Type Convertible at least sit on nice seats, but there’s really not much in the way of storage for small items in the cabin. The door bins are shallow enough that things can fall out of them easily, while anything taller than a drinks can in the cupholders will get in the way of your elbows too much of the time. 

There is at least a little bit of storage under the armrest, but to be honest that’s not great either. At least there is a 12V socket and some USB connectors in there. 

Space in the back seats

Ummm… there aren’t any. The F-Type has just the two seats, and there’s not so much as even a small storage space behind the driver nor passenger. If you need rear seats, a Porsche 911 is a better option, though they’re not exactly roomy…

Boot space

The F-Type Coupe was a relatively practical sports car, with 310 litres of luggage space under its fastback boot lid. The F-Type Convertible? Oh dear… The Convertible’s boot is quite wide, but it’s very, very shallow and holds a mere 233 litres. You’re either going to have to restrict yourself to small, soft bags, or just have your luggage sent on ahead. 

There’s a slightly deeper section in the centre of the boot, which allows you to just about stuff in a larger item, but really this is a hugely impractical car. 

You’ll feel special when you’re sat behind the wheel of the F-Type, but it can’t match Porsche for quality

Jaguar kept upgrading and updating the F-Type’s inset touchscreen, and by the end of the car’s life it was actually starting to get pretty good, in software terms. Certainly, it was far faster, slicker, and more responsive than Jaguar’s early infotainment efforts, which often seemed like a bad joke. BMW and Porsche screens are better still, but the F-Type did at least improve with age. 

Later models also came with digital instrument panels, while thankfully the F-Type always kept proper physical controls for the heating and air conditioning, with neat temperature readouts in the centre of the rotary controllers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were early additions to the F-Type, so your mobile phone should work pretty seamlessly, and at least then you can use Google Maps or Waze instead of Jaguar’s unintuitive home-grown sat-nav. 

For the most part, the F-Type’s cabin is well-made, and uses nice materials, although some items — such as the door handles — never felt anything better than cheap. Early models had the engine start button and the aluminium gearshift paddles finished in a burnished gold, which was meant to evoke the cockpits of fighter jets, but later models removed this touch which was rather a shame. The pistol-grip gear selector always looked and felt good to use, though. Again, Porsche does all of this stuff better, model for model, but the Jag’s not so far behind. 

The seats are great, and while they’re not as sumptuous as you’d find in, say, a Bentley they’re still supportive and comfortable for a long drive. Roof-down, the F-Type Convertible does a reasonable job of keeping the wind flowing around, rather than directly into, the cabin but of course at higher speeds it can get a bit raucous. 

The F-Type never had anything less than high emissions. Even the lighter and more economical four-cylinder 300hp model would pump out 184g/km of CO2, while the V8s would push that figure up beyond 250g/km, and the V6 versions weren’t much better. 

Surprisingly, fuel economy isn’t too bad — V8s and V6s will average around 25mpg in daily driving, and might just see 30mpg on a long, gentle run. The four-cylinder F-Type should be able to hit 35mpg if you’re careful. 

In tax terms, a V6 or V8 F-Type registered before April 1st 2017 will cost you between £415 and £710 for a year’s road tax. After 2017, you’ll pay the standard rate of £190, but with the extra £410 expensive car levy if the car is less than six years old. 

The F-Type was never crash-tested by Euro NCAP, but given its all-aluminium construction under the skin, and the sheer rigidity of the body — even in the Convertible model — it will probably be pretty protective in the event of things going very wrong. 

Standard safety features over the years included an active bonnet, seatbelt reminders, emergency brake assist and pedestrian contact sensors. There is also a full complement of airbags at the front, rear and side, offering plenty of protection for the two occupants.

F-Types get an engine immobiliser, two-stage door unlocking and doors that lock when you move off from a standstill. There’s also an anti-theft alarm across the entire range but for a car such as this you’d probably want to consider a tracking device too. 

F-Types all came with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty originally, and there was the option to stretch that out further in rolling 12-month blocks, so there are plenty of F-Types out there still on an original factory warranty. 

Generally speaking, the F-Type seems to be reasonably reliable. Aside from the four-cylinder turbo, all of the engines are actually based on long-serving Ford units, and they’ve proved to be fairly solid as long as they’re kept serviced properly. Jaguar put in a storming performance in the recent Driver Power customers satisfaction survey, finishing in 9th position, ahead of big rivals such as Audi and BMW, but a massive 43% of owners reported faults with their cars.