Jaguar X-type 2007 Review

As the first of the Jaguar pride to dig deeply and openly into the spare parts bin of new owners Ford early in the millennium, the X-type was doomed to put traditionalists off-side.

Not only did it not have a bespoke Jaguar platform and engine but it was, horrors, a front-wheel-drive. The very first to besmirch the proud Coventry-built marque.

The fact that the donor platform was Ford's rather tasty Mondeo did little to mitigate the crime. It was, quite simply, not cricket.

After the initial outrage, and some mid-life idiocy from Jaguar itself, when it attempted to take the car down into the cheaper seats with cloth trim and nasty plastics, the X-type settled in to a life of quiet mediocrity. The forgotten Jaguar.

As rumours start to gather momentum in Europe that, like the S-type, the littlest Jaguar's days are numbered it seemed timely to take another look at the car.

Jaguar's first, and to date, only, front-drive effort is a good one. The 2.1-litre V6 Sport brings a lot to the table for its moderate, in luxury terms, price tag of $56,990.

It matches its rivals in standard gear, a quality audio system, full leather, electric windows and heated mirrors and gets the usual array of safety kit expected in this class — front, side and curtain airbags, traction control and ABS, an occupant sensing system and five three-point belts.

Such is the quality of the work that Jaguar's engineers have put into the X-type chassis most drivers would not pick it as a front-driver model at casual acquaintance.

The steering is near-neutral, the balance good and the poise on the road quite reassuring. Likewise, the ride and handling equation is a positive. The X-type soaks up bumps with aplomb and the cabin is pleasantly free of road and wind noise.

The speed-sensitive steering is well-weighted, with responsive turn-in through corners. When punched hard the little V6 (117kW@6800rpm; 200Nm@4100rpm) can struggle and get coarse, battling its way from standstill to 100km/h in 10.8 seconds.

Getting to the official top speed of 205km/h will take patience, persistence and a tail wind.

The five-speed automatic gearbox is reasonably well sorted when driven as a composed city car. Demand too much of it and you are going to be disappointed.

Try to drive it in the ludicrous J-gate manual mode and you can add frustration to the experience. Thankfully, Jaguar has done away with the J-gate concept during the X-type's lifespan for all new models.

Boot space is surprisingly good and uncluttered and there's a full-size spare under the carpet. The 70/30 split-fold rear adds the option of carrying longer loads.

Inside the environment is plush and Jaguar-like. Soft leather and a rather stylish piano (black) wood trim sets off the ambience nicely. The front seats are supportive and reasonably well bolstered but the headrests, both front and rear, are not especially comfortable. Most drivers will find an acceptable driving position thanks to the height- and reach-adjustable steering and power seat height adjustment but space is a little tight in the rear — quite acceptable for little people but tall adults could have issues.

The Sport also has steering wheel-mounted spring-loaded audio and cruise controls.

It is in the controls that the use of Ford parts becomes more evident to the user. While the large dials and easily read screens and dials are a blessing many of the switches and knobs look to have migrated straight from a less-glamorous Ford.

Regardless, the X-type has earned its bonnet-mounted Leaper and, if only for proving that persistence is a worthy attribute.

Fast facts

Jaguar X-type Sport

Price: $56,990

Engine: 2.1-litre V6; 117kW@6800rpm, 200Nm@4100rpm

Transmission: 5-speed automatic; front-wheel drive

Fuel: 61-litre tank, 9.4L/100km combined cycle on test

Body: 4-door sedan

Verdict: The forgotten member of the Jaguar pride. Nice, competent little city driver with enough legs for highway travel.

Alternatives

BMW 320i Executive

Price: $58,500

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder; 110kW@6200rpm, 200Nm@3600rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic; rear-wheel-drive

Body: 4-door sedan

Verdict: Clear leader in drive dynamics. Fresh model with serious badge credibility and proven buyer appeal.

Audi A4 2.0

Price: $50,450

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder; 96kW@5700rpm, 195Nm@3300rpm

Transmission: Multitronic automatic; front-wheel-drive

Body: 4-door sedan

Verdict: Quality build, fresh styling and top-level inclusions and trim. Engine lacks a little dash but is very smooth and comfortable through the changes.