Lot’s of people say that driving the (diesel) X-Type is like driving a Ford Mondeo. It isn’t. They say that because they read somewhere that it has a Mondeo engine. But it doesn’t drive like a Mondeo. It drives like a Rover.
It’s not Jaguar’s fault though. It’s not even Ford’s fault. It’s your fault.
Unless you are a proper car person who buys a petrol and enjoys changing gear and getting steering feedback. In which case, it’s the guy next to you that we have to blame. It’s his fault.
Jaguar is a business and it needed to appeal to fleet buyers and those who drive for work or have young families. These are the people who, having bought little BMWs and Audis in the past, answered in the focus groups that they would buy a baby Jag if it came in diesel. They think buying diesel is a smart move because it’s thrifty. They get their kicks by saving a few pence on every mile. And it’s all their fault.
We all have an image in our mind of what driving a Jaguar should be like (like it was in the 80s – see last month’s ‘Then and Now’ column).
You walk up to the X-type and it looks like a Jag. A sexy baby one at that. Tick.
You get in and it looks like a Jag inside too. It feels, unmistakably, like how you imagined a modern baby Jaguar would feel. Tick two.
Then you start the engine and you want to hear it so you know you are not in a bland German or Japanese box. You want this car to have some personality - like you expect from a Jaguar.
But wait, hang on. What is that personality? Oh, crikey, its Mr Fleet Buyer’s personality. He has put a diesel engine in it. It’ like turning up to a house party in a morning suit. After such a great build-up it just feels wrong. I’m not against diesels, but I have just decided I am against Jaguar diesels. It clatters. The clutch pedal is heavy and has that ‘diesel-shake’ when you just put a slight pressure on it.
If it weren’t for that this would be a fantastic car and no one would have a bad word to say about it. At least that’s my view.
All the controls, from air con, through sat nav, to radio are really easy to use. Every other road tester says this system is best in the field and I have to agree with them. You never get frustrated or confused by it; it actually helps you get on with the driving. There are some lovely touches too, like the fine tip on the dials needles, which look so nice as you accelerate through the gears.
The real shame about the diesel clatter at low speeds is that the 2.2 diesel engine, like the petrol, is actually a refined unit at motorway speeds. It’s also very punchy, as I demonstrated overtaking lorries on a wet, muddy and single-carriage A143 at the weekend. Despite my exuberant passing moves, the MPG was impressive.
The car has a surprising road holding, precise neutral steering and very little body-roll. It takes fast sweeping corners like a sport cars (although the big alloys and sport set-up on this test car have something to do with that).
While the Audi A4 is a sporty estate, you feel a bit more involved with the X-Type. The gear changes are smooth but also have sporty clunk, which is satisfying. It feels like driving rather than operating a rocket.
Around town the driving was effortless. Considering this is a family car it feels compact, which is just what you want when parallel parking or weaving through town. Again this is a big plus over some of its rivals that have become a little too bloated.
When you catch the X-type’s reflection in a shop window it looks sexy and brings a smile to the driver’s face (especially with the sports alloys on). Can’t say the Audi or Subaru Legacy (from December edition) ever did that for me.
Summary
New Jaguars are good value; depreciation is not anything like it used to be – it is not scary stuff these days. But, used Jaguars are also fantastic value after a few years.
A used approved Jaguar will come with a minimum 12 month warranty, service history and mileage check, Jaguar Assistance, comprehensive vehicle inspection, 12 months´ MOT, a full provenance check and a 30 day/1,000 mile exchange plan.
If you buy a Jaguar X-Type Sport you are showing the world that you are every-bit as aspirational as your BMW neighbours. But it also says you are a nice guy with a sense of the Ralph Lauren about you. But until Jaguar can hide engine noise (and personality) like Audi, go for the petrol.
Test Car Details:
Jaguar X-Type 2.2 D Sport
0-62 mph: 8.5
MPG: 47.1
OTR: £27,000
Words: Matthew Tumbridge