Model tested: Jaguar X-Type 2.2D Sport Premium Saloon
Price: £29,475
Date tested: August 2008
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Overall rating: 78%
The X-Type offers heritage, comfort and sartorial elegance. But with rivals also being deft of foot, can the ageing X-Type mix it with the best?

1. Looks
The traditional Jaguar looks divide opinion, but since the car launched it still cuts a dash. The car received a facelift in 2008, which saw a raft of revisions to the bodywork, chief among which is a new grille, front and rear bumpers and rear lights.
8/10

2. Looks inside
The quality of cabin materials and the build quality are worthy of cars much more costly. The straight panel, a Jaguar trademark, stretches across the dash, interrupted only by the curved centre console.
8/10

3. Practicality
The X-Type sports a 452-litre boot which is long, but very shallow; an estate version offers more space if required. There's enough space around the cabin for most users, but space in the back is tighter than many of its rivals.
7/10

4. Ride and Handling
Although the X-Type is tuned more for comfort than speed, it still handles well. It's quiet on the move and soaks up bumps with aplomb. It's a relaxed cruiser, but has responsive steering and more agilility than its appearance may have you believe.
8/10

5. Performance
The Ford-sourced diesel is smooth and powerfull, allowing the car to reach 62mph from rest in 8.5 seconds. The 2.2 auto is smooth, refined and punchy, especially through the middle of the rev range.
8/10

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6. Running Costs
The X-Type suffers heavy depreciation; fuel consumption is reasonable at 47.1mpg. CO2 emissions of 159g/km place the 2.2 in tax band D (£145); the automatic gearbox knocks the car into tax band F (£210).
7/10

7. Reliability
Ford engines, and vastly improved build quality means the Jaguar X-Type should be a safe choice.
8/10

8. Safety
The X-Type has a four-star EuroNCAP rating. All models feature traction control plus dual-stage front, side and curtain airbags.
7/10

9. Equipment
All X-Types are superbly equipped, with alloy wheels, half-leather electrically-adjustable seats, climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth plus automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers. The Sport Premium also has heated leather seats, park sensors, a heated windscreen and a touch-screen DVD navigation system.
9/10

10. X-Factor
The X-Type looks and feels like a luxury car, and is a superb, effortless cruiser. And all with an affordable price tag.
8/10