Jaguar-Land Rover-Aston Martin-Bentley of Naples

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Walk Around

Despite its diminutive size, the X-Type is clearly a Jaguar. That's just as well, as ever since Ford took over Jaguar, purists have been scrutinizing every move the company makes in an effort to turn up some evidence of Fording-down the illustrious British marque.

Because the X-Type shares ancestry with Ford of Europe's front-wheel-drive Mondeo, Jaguar endowed the X-Type with all-wheel drive as a standard feature. This helps set it apart not only from the Ford, but from most other near-luxury models where such a feature is optional, and usually only offered on a handful of models.

The X-Type is nearly 10 inches shorter than Jaguar's mid-range S-Type. It is not, however, the smallest car Jaguar has yet manufactured. Compared to the 1960 Mark II, which inspired the curvy styling of the current S-Type, the X-Type is only a fraction of an inch shorter in wheelbase and actually measures almost 4 inches longer overall. It is also 4 inches wider and about 1-1/2 inches lower than the beloved classic.

Still, Jaguar chose to tie the X-Type's identity with that of the sleek flagship XJ, rather than the buxom mid-range S, and that meant making a relatively short car look low and long. They did it using lots of horizontal lines and body sculpting. The illusion is generally successful and the X-Type looks bigger on the road than its dimensions suggest.

The design of the grille and headlights, with fluting that sweeps back over the hood, emphasizes the baby-XJ image. The front view is broadened with two sets of side-by-side round lights flanking Jaguar's traditional horizontal split grille. This makes the X-Type look more conservative than the S-Type, which features a unique round grille (inspired by the old Mark II). Like the S-Type, however, the X-Type's grille texture was changed to a fine chrome mesh last year, and this look continues for 2007. Riding the hood of the X-Type is the traditional bounding Jaguar known as the bonnet leaper.

All in all, this is a ground-loving vehicle that makes the eye believe it is longer and lower than it is, and bigger as well. What at first blush seems to be busy-ness about the indents, horizontal lines and visual cues of Jaguarness fades with on-going exposure, evolving into acceptance and even appreciation. Anyway, the car looks better on the road than it does in pictures, or even in the showroom. And its overall visual stance seems unaffected by the all-wheel-drive system.

The Sportwagon is identical to the sedan up to the B-pillar. From there back it has different side doors and obviously a longer side profile. Its overall length is less than two inches greater than the sedan so there is little extra overhang in the rear; although (counting the roof rails) it stands about 3-1/2 inches taller. The tailgate slopes forward, appropriately giving it a sleeker look than most station wagons. The window in the tailgate can be opened independently, a long-standing feature of Ford wagons that's very handy when loading lightweight items. For securing heavier cargo, Jaguar has thoughtfully supplied four spring-loaded D-ring tie-downs in rear load area.

Interior

2007 Jaguar X-Type

The X-Type is a real Jag on the inside, too. Jaguar's leather and wood are done as well as they were in the days when those luxury touches were not added to every model on the road.

The seats are quite good, supportive and comfortable, and they can be adjusted every which way. And they offer reasonable side support as well; we had no trouble staying in them while flinging the car around.

The cabin has a spacious feel, and outward visibility is enhanced by the slimness of the roof pillars. With the elevation of the driver's seat easily adjustable, drivers of varying heights have an excellent forward view over the hood. The outside mirrors are particularly generous in size, a welcome safety feature at a time when mirrors on some cars are getting smaller.

All the switchgear operates intuitively. Controls fall within easy reach, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes, allowing any driver to adjust perfectly to the car. People of all body types will find a comfortable home in the X-Type.

Lots of stowage inside the X-Type adds to the convenience. The doors have a handy tray near the door handle, as well as a large main pocket. There are dozens of nooks to stow phones, cassettes, CDs, pens, maps, or tissues; even ice scrapers and an umbrella. There's a retractable hook in the glovebox release to hold a handbag, small shopping bag or take-out. The center console is small, however, and there is only one cupholder.

The design of the X-Type isn't all about style. The sedan's trunk is big, something that can't be said for all Jaguars. With 16 cubic feet of cargo space, the X-Type beats the impressive trunk of the Audi A4 (13.4 cubic feet) and the relatively dinky boots in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (12.2) and BMW 3 Series (12.0) sedans. Further, if you pull one or both of the small handles in the X-Type trunk you can easily flip the rear seats forward for carrying longer items. That makes this a practical Jaguar.

Even more practical is the Sportwagon. With the seats folded down it boasts a cargo capacity of 50 cubic feet, which puts it ahead of the Audi A4 Avant or Mercedes-Benz C-Class wagons, if slightly behind the 61 cubic feet of the BMW 3 Series wagon. However, the official dimensions do not include the Jaguar's very useful hidden storage area under the rear floor, which can be used to stash cameras and other valuables in a molded compartment with dividers. Even more forward-looking is the 12-volt outlet inside the compartment. It allows recharging of a laptop computer or digital camera while totally hidden from prying eyes.

The Sportwagon also offers a bit more headroom, front and rear, than the sedan.

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