Used Jaguar X-Type review: 2004-2010

Selling from $70,000 when launched in Australia in September 2001, the X-Type was the lowest cost Jaguar had ever sold.

Even better news was to come over the years as models - admittedly with considerably less performance and equipment - were introduced. During one period of stock clearance you could buy a Jaguar X-Type brand new for only $49,990. Many Jaguar purists felt these ‘cheap’ Jaguars damaged the image of the marque. But Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi – Jaguar’s chief competitors – have all introduced low cost models in recent years. 

While they are smaller than the X-Type and it’s not a true comparison it does illustrate that the big boys are now all playing in the lower end of the market as well as on the stratosphere. Though the Jaguar X-Type has been disparagingly described as being a Ford Mondeo with a different body, there are numerous differences that do set the Jaguar apart from the Ford.

Style has long been a major feature of all Jaguars and the smallest Jags certainly appeals visually. The design of its wide radiator grille and quad-headlights work beautifully and, like other Jaguars, the X-Type has the look of an athletic cat. Inside there are traditional leather-and-timber interiors.

This is a comparatively small car and really only provides seating for four. Legroom isn’t too bad in the back seat but check it for headroom. Jaguars of all types are low-slung sporting sedans so space above heads has frequently been at a premium. 

Similarly, the boot is on the shallow side, though it’s long enough and wide enough to give it a decent volume. Most importantly of all, the X-Type feels like a Jaguar, with comfortable suspension and silky light steering that differentiate it from the often firm German cars competing in this class.

Originally the Jaguar X-Type had the unique selling proposition of being sold only with all-wheel drive to improve its road grip and general handling. This helped to lift it away from the “rebodied Ford Mondeo” perception and made a lot of sense from an image point of view. However, this AWD difference disappeared with the launch of a front-wheel drive in May 2002. Front-wheel drive in a Jaguar – the purists were horrified yet again, but those who had always dreamt of owning a Jaguar were delighted with the price.

The all-wheel drive models come with a V6 petrol engine of 2.5 or 3.0-litre capacity depending on the luxury level. The front-drive models have a 2.1-litre V6 – which is confusingly badged as a 2.0-litre to put it into a lower tax bracket in Britain. The smaller V6 engine has reasonable performance as this car is significantly lighter than the AWD variants. Better still, the silkiness of a small V6 is appreciated as most in this class that generally only have four-cylinder powerplants in the lower cost models.

Jaguar introduced a turbo-diesel to its X-Type lineup in June 2008. It's a four-cylinder unit with a displacement of 2.2 litres. While there's the inevitable lag off the line and when you ask the engine to accelerate from low revs, once it has reached a cruising state it provides the serene motoring that appeals to those who love their Jaguars.

Transmissions are mainly automatic, though there were some imports of five-speed manuals of the FWD car prior to 2005. Manuals could prove a drawback when it comes to trade-in time. Automatics have five ratios when fitted beside the petrol engines, but six with the turbo-diesel.

Jaguar is long established in Australia and the dealer network is well organised. Dealers are focused on metropolitan areas, but the tie-up with Land Rover may mean that some country dealers have mechanics with experience on the Jaguar marque. Make enquiries if you do live in the bush and you would like to drive something out of the ordinary.

Jaguar Australia has an approved used-car scheme, combined with an extended warranty. You will probably be asked to pay more for one of these cars, but many regard it as money well spent. The next best thing is an X-Type that’s for sale elsewhere, but which has a full service record from a Jaguar dealership.

Spare parts prices are about average for a car in this upmarket class and we seldom hear complaints about availability. Insurance costs seem to vary more than average from company to company so it's worth shopping around for the best deal. As always, make sure to do a proper comparison on what you get, and don’t get, for your premium dollar.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

By the time the Jaguar X-Type was launched, the company had completely revised its build procedures, resulting in a car that is of a higher quality than in some older Jags. It still pays to look it over carefully, and to have your initial inspection backed up by one from a professional. Look over the body for signs of previous panel damage or repairs.

The latter may show up as mismatched paint colours from panel to panel, or perhaps as tiny specs of paint on unpainted surfaces.

Check the interior for evidence of damage caused by harsh use. Also look for fading and/or cracking of the dashboard top and the rear shelf that has been caused by longterm exposure to the sun.

Be sure the engine starts promptly, even in diesel format, and settles down to a smooth idle pretty well straight away. The diesel, being a four-cylinder, won’t be quite as silky as V6 petrol units.

During your drive feel for any hesitation in an automatic transmission and/or one that’s seems to change gears too often.

CAR BUYING TIP

Beware to the upmarket vehicle that’s belonged to social climbers who struggle financially and therefore can’t afford to have their car serviced correctly.