Tuesday 23rd September 2014

Jaguar X-Type: Spotted

Remember that small Jag before the XE? It could be time to reconsider

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Jaguar's rejuvenation over the past decade or so has been fairly extraordinary. Cars like the F-Type and XF, combined with some savvy placement and marketing, have done so much much to rid Jaguar of its stuffy image.

So, so much better than the saloon from here

Despite a rather overwrought launch, the XE will surely continue to do that. It's modern and relevant and, perhaps just as importantly, not German. That will count for a lot to many.

You will have noticed Jaguar has made absolutely no mention of the X-Type in the XE launch hoopla. Why would it? The car has earned a fairly undesirable reputation, one that doesn't conform to the new Jaguar of Stella McCartney paintjobs, moody commercials and hashtags.

But it was reliability that undermined the X-Type more than any innate lack of ability. Indeed, looking back through some old reviews reveals some genuine enthusiasm about the engines and chassis, if not the rather dull interior. Then the 'it's just a rebadged Mondeo' belief caught on, the reliability issues arose and the early promise of the X-Type was tarnished.

What we can't do here is defend the X-Type saloon's appearance though. Even in the early 2000s it looked staid and predictable; time has done it no favours. Perhaps we should be grateful that the backlash to the X-Type must have influenced the design of cars like the XF and XJ. They are down at Shed money though if you're tempted.

No interior pics with the ad. Funny that

But it's the X-Type Estate that's the focus of attention here. It's a far more appealing and cohesive design than the saloon, the Sport pack of this car mitigating against the overtly traditional styling. The rear of the XE is arguably its least successful angle so it will be interesting to see how the inevitable estate (or most probably Sportbrake) version of that car will look.

We've been as PHey in choosing an X-Type spec here as possible (V6 manual Sport), and it looks like you're getting an awful lot for £4,500. Really. The same money buys a 2.0 CVT A4 Avant with similar miles or a 318i SE Touring, admittedly of the newer E91 design. Amazingly this Mercedes C180 wagon is very nearly £1,000 more than the Jag despite similar miles and condition.

Of course it's not perfect. The X-Type's reliability issues are very real and they shouldn't be glossed over but then that hasn't stopped people buying many other JLR products, has it? For some the mainstream underpinnings will be too much to ignore but it's their loss. The X-Type is a decent and good value family wagon that is often unfairly overlooked. Plus you won't be obliged to FeelXE on every journey, which can only be a good thing.

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JAGUAR X-TYPE
Engine: 2,495cc V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 197@5,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 180@3,600rpm
MPG: 29 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 239g/km
First registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 89,325
Price new: NA
Yours for: £4,500

See the original advert here.

 

[SydneyBridge]

a lot of car for £4,500
Always though the estate was the one to have (although no x type was ever desirable in the slightest), although how much is an equivalent mondeo estate??