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Estate
Estate cars derived from compact executive cars aren't always the most practical, but the Jaguar is certainly one of the better ones. The boot is big and well-shaped, and there's plenty of room for passengers, too.
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The cabin feels quite classy, everything feels well made, and all versions get leather. However, some buyers still might expect more from a Jaguar. Best of all, the estate drives every bit as well as the saloon. The ride is comfortable, even at motorway speeds, and the tidy handling means there's plenty of fun to be had. The Sport model comes with a sports-tuned suspension, and this sharpens everything up even more without sacrificing much in the way of comfort. It's definitely worth having. An X-type makes a decent cruiser, too. All of the engines are smooth and quiet, and road noise is well suppressed, although there is a bit too much wind noise at motorway speeds.
Running Costs
The X-type is quite a bit cheaper to buy than the equivalent BMW, Mercedes or Audi. This isn't really surprising, because it was cheaper when the cars were new, and the Jaguar never held its value as well. Depending on which one you go for, it'll also prove cheaper at the pumps. The average fuel consumption of 48.7mpg on our favourite 2.0-litre diesel is a touch leaner than the equivalent Mercedes or BMW of the same age. The other engines in the X-type range are among the best in the class for fuel consumption, too. In terms of insurance, it's level-pegging between the Jaguar and its competitors, but where you will pay for the Jaguar, is in servicing costs. Surprisingly, the Jaguar is pricier to maintain than its more expensive German rivals, and by quite a bit.
Saloon
The X-type is based on the Ford Mondeo, but crucially none of what you see or touch is obviously Ford, so it feels like a real Jaguar. X-type owners get the best bit of the Mondeo - the fabulous blend of ride and handling - but in something that looks and feels every inch a Jaguar. The end result is a fine drive, although it's not quite as sporting as, say, the BMW 3 Series. The cabin, too, has a distinctly Jaguar feel to it, with wood and leather on some trim levels. However, you can get a more modern look with Sport trim. There's plenty of space in the front, with good adjustment on the driver's seat and steering wheel. However, the roofline limits headroom in the back and the boot is shallow and awkwardly shaped.
Running Costs
Residuals aren't as strong as its rivals, so an X-type is cheaper to buy than the equivalent used Audi, BMW or Mercedes. The cheapest 2.0-litre models are in group 13 or 14 insurance, with the most expensive 3.0 versions in group 16 - that's pretty much on a par with rivals from BMW and Mercedes. Fuel economy for the 2.0 diesel engine, too, is a match for its rivals, returning up to 50mpg. A 2.2-litre diesel introduced in 2005 returns 47mpg. The 2.0-litre V6 petrol is next best, but lags behind four-cylinder rivals and returns no more than 30mpg. The 2.5 and 3.0 are less efficient still, but closer to their rivals. Maintenance, too, looks dear. Labour rates at both franchised dealers and independents are among the highest.