Jaguar X-Type 2009 Review

However, for a while there, Jag devotees, like most luxury car buyers, would have shuddered when the Federal Government announced in its Budget that it would increase the luxury car tax from 25 per cent to 33 per cent.

Then the Greens came to the rescue winning an exemption for fuel-efficient cars that consume no more than seven litres of fuel per 100km. These "green" cars will not attract any luxury tax until a new higher threshold of $75,000.

Among the 25 luxury models that win the tax break is the Jaguar X-Type diesel luxury model which was above the previous luxury tax threshold of $57,123. (The X-Type 2.2D LE costs $55,490 and never qualified for the tax.) Jaguar just sneaks in under the fuel economy qualification with a claimed combined consumption figure of 6.9 litres per 100km.

Hard to believe for a one-and-a-half-tonne car but they proved accurate during a recent two-week test of the X-Type diesel which included a couple of leisurely trips to the coast.

And to make the Greens even happier with their forced amendment to the luxury tax, the Jag's engine is fitted with a particulate filter to lower emissions to 184g/km which is only slightly worse than a Toyota Corolla.

But as much as the Jaguar X-Type is a modern green vehicle, it is also a styling anachronism, reminding us of 1950s British cops and robbers shows.

Some might like that, but it looks tired against the rest of the modern Jaguar fleet, including the brilliant XF which came second in the 2008 Carsguide Car of the Year voting.

It is also rumoured to face the axe from the line-up now that Jaguar has been taken over by Indian car company Tata.

The X-Type is based on the previous-generation Ford Mondeo, not the current well-sorted vehicle and now that it is no longer part of Ford, it is unlikely to get the benefit of the new Mondeo mechanicals, if it survives at all.

The smallest and cheapest model in the iconic British range feels and drives like a bigger car, but when you get five adults inside, it certainly feels squeezy.

It also handles like a heavy car with a ponderous turn-in and copious understeer. The springy centre to the steering doesn't help.

Twisty mountain ranges are not its forte, but at highway speed, it is stable and quiet.

The cockpit feels a bit claustrophobic thanks to the traditionally high Jag dashboard, while the rear passengers will also feel a bit cramped for room, especially with a long-legged driver and front passenger.

There are also no airconditioning vents in the back.

The problem is that the traditional Jag styling with its long bonnet and boot minimises cabin space. However, the pay-off is an enormous cargo area.

The Sport model is well-appointed with a quality touch-screen sat nav, new trim combinations, more supportive seats, new door trims, metallic trim highlights, Bluetooth compatibility, electronic everything and steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, but no trip computer.

Instrumentation is a strange mixture of old and new, while all the controls have a quality feel and are intuitive. Unfortunately some of the leather trim was not up to Jag's usual high standard.

Outside, the X-Type now comes with new rear view mirrors with in-built indicators, mesh grille with deeper air intakes, new front and rear bumpers, smaller parking sensors and 17-inch Barbados alloys or 18-inch Abaco alloys on the Sport.

The diesel engine develops 107kW at 3500rpm and 366Nm from a low 1800rpm, giving the car a 0-100km/h sprint time of 9.9 seconds.

Like most turbo diesels, it feels a little ponderous off the line, then suddenly hits its maximum torque and squirts.

In drive mode, the six-speed sequential automatic transmission shifts smoothly and swiftly into higher gears to improve fuel economy.

However, I found that on rolling terrain it often got caught out when the car started to run up a hill. Here the transmission groaned and thought long and hard before shifting down.

In sport or sequential mode, there were no such problems.

If the styling suits, Jag fans will find this quite an attractive luxury package without the luxury price tag.

Snapshot

Jaguar X-Type 2.2D Sport

PRICE: $59,935

ENGINE: 4-cylinder 2.2 litre diesel with particulate filter

POWER: 107kW @ 3500rpm

TORQUE: 366Nm @ 1800rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed sequential automatic

ACCELERATION: 0-100km/h in 9.9 secs

ECONOMY (l/100km): 9.5 (urban), 5.4 (highway), 6.9 (combined)

CO2 EMISSIONS: 184g/km