Jaguar X-Type Saloon (01-10) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 30 April 2009
The X-Type is Jaguar's alternative to premium saloons like the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. However it has never proved as popular as models from the German manufacturers, due in part to a limited engine line-up and the lack of a diesel until 2003. That's not to say the X-Type is a bad car - far from it. Admittedly the styling isn't very modern, both inside and out, but it's exceptionally refined and manages to blend excellent comfort with decent handling. It was facelifted in 2008 with larger bumpers and a more aggressive look along with a few interior tweaks, but it's still a step behind the best upmarket saloons.
3.5 out of 5

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3.5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£19,995 - £31,852

Used price range:

£1,284 - £17,588

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Very comfortable and refined, sophisticated image, decent handling

Traditional styling, cramped rear space, limited engine range, some cheap interior trim

The X-Type is Jaguar's alternative to premium saloons like the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. However it has never proved as popular as models from the German manufacturers, due in part to a limited engine line-up and the lack of a diesel until 2003. That's not to say the X-Type is a bad car - far from it. Admittedly the styling isn't very modern, both inside and out, but it's exceptionally refined and manages to blend excellent comfort with decent handling. It was facelifted in 2008 with larger bumpers and a more aggressive look along with a few interior tweaks, but it's still a step behind the best upmarket saloons.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    3.5 out of 5

    "The X-Type originally came with 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre V6 engine (along with four-wheel drive) and..."

  • Handling

    3.5 out of 5

    "The X-Type has been designed to offer the type of comfort expected in a Jaguar along with nimble and..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    4 out of 5

    "With the exception of rear seat passengers, who will find the X-Type rather tight for legroom and..."

  • Practicality

    3 out of 5

    "Boot space is pretty good in the X-Type. With 452-litres of luggage room, it's on par with other..."

  • Equipment

    3.5 out of 5

    "Later cars come better equipped than earlier models but all versions have alloys, air-con and a..."

  • Behind the wheel

    3.5 out of 5

    "As the X-Type has aged, Jaguar has slowly dropped the lower specification models that suffered from..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    3 out of 5

    "The diesel models offer the lowest running costs as fuel and company car tax are quite costly on the..."

  • Green credentials

    2.5 out of 5

    "After the diesel was launched, this became the best-selling engine variant in the X-Type range. The..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    4 out of 5

    "As well as a four-star Euro NCAP crash test safety rating, there's an abundance of safety equipment,..."

  • Reliability

    4 out of 5

    "The reliability of the X-Type has been generally very good. Occasional imperfections have been..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    3 out of 5

    "Changes to the line-up in 2008 mean you can now only buy a diesel X-Type saloon. It's probably just..."

  • Buying used

    4 out of 5

    "Petrol versions shed value because of the running costs and increased road tax so it's little..."

  • Selling

    3 out of 5

    "Diesel models will be the easiest to sell, especially those fitted with an automatic gearbox. This..."

Gallery

  • Interior Jaguar X-Type Saloon (01-10)
  • Exterior Jaguar X-Type Saloon (01-10)
  • Exterior Jaguar X-Type Saloon (01-10)
  • Exterior Jaguar X-Type Saloon (01-10)

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Owners' reviews