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Got
it Right:
Looks, handling, interior appointments, all wheel drive, transmission
Needs
improvement:
Tire noise, GPS, stereo, option prices
If you want a luxury car, a status nameplate, all wheel drive, and a good price the Jaguar X-Type is the only game in town. In fact, if
you opt for the 2.5-liter engine you can get this model under $30,000 US.
Of course, the reality is that when you load up on options such as the
sports package, a better stereo, and other tidbits you can push this
model’s cost into the Jaguar S territory. On the other
hand, no other vehicle in this class offers that a 3.0-liter engine with a
five-speed manual and a sport package.
This is an
improved X-Type, especially the transmission. Our seat of the pants
feeling was validated by objective data from the J.D Power & Associates
Initial Quality Study that showed a 22 percent improvement for this
vehicle. In other words, if you are waiting for an attractive, but not
ostentatious vehicle that can perform in all types of weather, the X-Type
Jaguar is a must drive.
Competition is scarce in this small niche with the new Infiniti all wheel
drive G35, the Audi A4, and the BMW 325xi offering nearly similar
features. Of these, we have not tested the Infiniti with all wheel drive
capabilities but were impressed with its power and responsive handling
with rear wheel drive G35. It is competitively priced with the X-Type but
does not offer the status of the X-Type, but is quicker. One thing for
certain, all of these cars are great for family travel in all types of
weather and each has a distinct attribute that may sway the buyer. The
Infiniti is more youthful, the Audi slower and more old fashioned, the BMW
better handling, and the Jaguar more elegant with more storage room, but
less interior space. What is sorely missed for the X-Type is a hot engine
set-up. Apparently, slow sales of the X-Type have put this proposed model
on hold. What they have done instead is add more content and reduced the
price considerably.
Mom’s
view: There is
something special about being able to say that you own a Jaguar. It speaks
of your good taste and ability to provide you the qualities of living the
high life.
There is little
doubt that the X-Type represents value and gives the owner the distinction
of driving a Jaguar. In other words, except for the droning of the large
tires on the pavement, I quite enjoyed my time with my British cousin.
Driving is easy
and direct input and immediate reaction makes even a short trip enjoyable.
This car does not isolate you from the road, but also does not beat you up
even over the poorest maintained roads. The 3.0-liter with a
227-horsepower has lots of standard equipment such as wood trim, Connolly
leather-trimmed seating, power windows, mirrors, locks, a tilt-and-slide
moonroof, a split folding rear seat, automatic headlamps and a
wood-and-leather steering wheel. The five-speed automatic is standard and
much improved over previous models.
Inside, the
seats were comfortable, although I would have liked a longer bottom
cushion and the front visibility was excellent. Looking over the leaper
hood ornament is reassuring if not ego building. The number of storage
areas is sufficient, but the room is limited. The cupholders are not
really adequate for large drinks. We had the optional navigation system
but found it difficult to conquer in the brief time we had with the car.
The screen was easy to see though. He steering wheel is a fine size, and
it has a rotary thumb wheel control for the cruise control and stereo
settings.
Safety features
include curtain-style head protection airbags for front and rear
passenger, dual-stage frontal airbags and front side-impact airbags
managed by a sophisticated sensor system. Anti-lock brakes, pre-tensioning
front safety belts with load-limiters, and good visibility. This year they
have added an inflatable knee bolster airbag. And, there is a seat
position sensor to avoid costly air bag deployment when the seat is not
occupied. Everything you would expect from a luxury car at this price. I
like the fact that even on the base model you get all the safety features.
Okay, would I
like this car? Yes. Would I like it better than the roomier, but more
expensive S Type? No. The reason is simple enough; I like the larger
engine available on the S Type and the additional room. Of course, we are
talking thousands of dollars more, but hey, that’s why I work.
Dad’s
view:
This is a better handling X Type than earlier models. It has a superior
handling, and a better transmission operation than the previous model we
tested. The ride is stern, but not offensive, and corners are not to be
feared.
Jaguar's
Traction 4 all-wheel-drive system uses a center differential and viscous
coupling that divides the torque so that 40 percent goes to the front
wheels and 60 percent to the rear when the car's computers sense a
problem. In addition, the Dynamic Stability Control system helps control a
skid and enables the driver to maintain control in an emergency.
Although we do
not test cars at high speeds the 3.0-liter V6 engine is more than capable
of keeping up with fast traffic and is designed for touring. Rapid
acceleration takes a moment as the five-speed electronically controlled
automatic transmission decides just how serious you are about moving. You
can select a sport mode, or use Jaguar’s gate shifter to shift
semi-manually. As usual, we find the J-gate a bit awkward to use, but this
car is more suited to just leaving it in drive anyway.
In
terms of standard equipment on the 3.0-liter model you get 17 x 7-inch
alloy wheels with 225/45 HR17 tires, one touch power tilt/slide moonroof,
split/folding rear seat, and the upgraded wood and leather interior
appointments. Jaguar also offers a sport model with tuned suspension,
larger tires and rims, better stereo, spoiler, and xenon headlights. Make
sure you drive this model because the ride is a lot sterner than the
others and without a more powerful engine to maximize the handling ability
of the sport model you might be disappointed. We certainly encourage
Jaguar to place a more potent engine under the hood of the X-Type and make
it a truly great ride.
On the road
stopping is aided by ABS, ventilated discs in front and solid discs in
back and the brake pedal has a helpful feel. The limited slip differential
makes the all wheel drive more seamless. The independent suspension has
stabilizers with coil springs in front and back. The .33 coefficient of
drag rating makes the ride fairly quiet, although certainly not in the
Lexus class, is only marred by tire noise.
You can get to
60 mpg in under seven seconds and the engine noise makes you feel you are
traveling even faster, but this is no featherweight vehicle so don’t
expect miracles. As all Jaguars, the X-Type needs premium gas and returns
about 21 mph for every gallon in mixed, but frisky driving.
But, the best
part of this vehicle is its agile handling and the all wheel drive
capability that provides reassurance on wet roads. The steering is a
superior combination of easy to park and quick reacting and has a quality
feel at speed. Overall, this is a much better X-Type and certainly
enjoyable to drive. Of course, more power would be appreciated.
Unemployed
young male’s view:
Looking for work is more difficult than breaking up with your long time
girl friend. Ask me, I just did both. Anyway, looking at the Jaguar perks
me up.
It is quiet to
drive, has a muted interior that is understated but still elegant, and
brought badly needed attention to this now unattached driver without
having to resort to begging or online dating.
The audio
controls are mounted low on the dash and should be higher for easy use.
The GPS was difficult to master and it controls some climate and stereo
functions making it a distraction. I liked the audio controls on the
steering wheel much better. The stereo unit in our test car was just
average and radio reception was only fair.
Driving the car
is easy and comfortable. The rear view mirrors are a nice size; the seats
easily adjustable, and the 3500-pound sedan was always friendly. I like
the car, but it just doesn’t seem like a Jaguar from the outside. Would I
buy one for my new girlfriend, certainly, and I have put that in writing.
But, I would rather have the Jaguar coupe, which speaks of my more
sporting lifestyle.
Young
businesswoman:
Perfect car for me, the Jaguar X-Type with either engine, in silver or
black, would be ideal. Respectable gas mileage, in the right price range,
and has more than enough power to get me around the crowded city.
The
interior is nicely done and I like the instrumentation. But, with the sun
shining from behind the instruments get a bad reflection that renders them
useless for the moment. I noted that when you want to move a lot of air,
the fan is very noisy for a luxury car.
Driving is what
I call sporty elegant. It is like the X-Type is haughty when it comes to
escorting your about. Each road imperfection is merely tolerated, not
removed from the driver or thrust through the leather-covered steering
wheel.
When asked to
move her occupants she does so with pleasure. Call it irrational, but the
X-Type is to me a stepping-stone in life. It rewards you, but leaves you
wanting more. Jaguar knows this and holds the roomier and stronger S-Type
just beyond your grasp for the present and the dignified XJ for those with
the reach. It is a well-designed motivational plan.
Family
conference:
A good car with a great name, the X-Type is desirable for those who desire
all wheel drive on an entry level luxury car. We would prefer more pep,
but if you watch your options this is an easy move up from the marques of
the masses. Especially nice is the availability of a manual transmission
on the 3.0 model for those of you who want to maximize the handling
potential of this sedan.
Jaguar has noted
weakness in the resale value of the X-Type and has reduced the price 10
percent while adding a great many standard features. A final caveat about
the X-Type and that is if you do not watch your options you are going to
push it into the S-Type price range and that Jaguar is a whole new type of
animal.
Written by The Car Family |
