 2003 Jaguar X-Type. Click image to enlarge |
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Manufacturer’s web site |
By Chris Chase
The X-Type was Jaguar’s attempt to increase sales by competing in the popular entry-level luxury sedan segment. The little Jag had its work cut out for it considering it would have to compete against established German cars like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and successful Japanese entries like the Acura TSX/TL, Lexus IS and Infiniti G35.
In one way, the car was a victory, as it became Jaguar’s best-selling model worldwide, however it didn’t meet Jaguar’s an annual global sales target of 100,000 cars. The X-Type was launched here in 2002, and was discontinued in late 2007, but not before a number of cars were allocated to be sold as 2008 models.
The X-Type is based heavily on the Ford Mondeo, a mid-sized car sold in Europe. While this certainly allowed Ford (which owned Jaguar) to keep the X-Type’s development costs down, some observers felt that the X-Type was little more than a dressed-up version of the Mondeo. Read the first post in this thread for one such opinion.
Those who bought X-Types new got a choice of either a 2.5-litre (192 hp) or 3.0-litre (227 hp) V6 engines. The resources I rely on for technical information have let me down this time, contradicting each other with regards to the X-Type’s transmission options.
 2004 Jaguar X-Type. Click image to enlarge |
For certain, 2.5-litre cars could be had with either a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic. The 3.0-litre engine was available with either transmission as well, at least in certain model years. One thing is for certain: the X-Type boasted standard all-wheel drive.
In 2004, Jaguar added an attractive station wagon to the X-Type line. The 2006 model year saw the 2.5-litre engine and trim line deleted, though the manual transmission remained as standard equipment. That, too, would disappear in 2007. The 2008 X-Type got a mild restyling, just in time for it to be discontinued in North America.
Fuel consumption seems high but that can likely be attributed to the all-wheel drive system. The X-Type’s EnerGuide numbers range from about 12 to 13 L/100 km (city) and 7.8 to 8.5 L/100 km (highway), with 2.5-litre engine models earning the lower consumption figures.
Word has it that the alloy wheels used on the X-Type are very susceptible to damage caused by potholes, so watch where you drive.
