Jaguar X-Type Estate

The Jaguar X-Type is an OK mid-range estate, but is a disastrously misjudged excursion off-brand for the big cat. Irritatingly ordinary, it alienates just about everyone, including, worryingly, core customers

• Comfort

  Can grab a little and wander about if left to its own devices, but otherwise the X-Type is pretty well damped and sprung. It can't match the glide of the bigger Jags though, and never troubles the latest generation of BMW 3-Series or Mercedes C-Class.

  

• Performance

  Apart from a 3.0-litre V6 petrol estate (thirsty), the choice is either 128bhp 2.0-litre or 153bhp 2.2-litre diesel. Both are refined enough, but the 2.2 is the only engine that keeps up with the recent crop of diesels; 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and 137mph.

  

• Cool

  Imagine if Paul Smith started supplying £25 suits to Tesco? The label wouldn't be enough to make it cool. And nor is the Jaguar badge here.

  

• Quality

  Feels like a Jag from ten years ago, which it... er... is. Generally OK, but there are a few areas of dodgy plastics and over-woody wood. Not Jaguar's finest hour.

  

• Handling

  The X-Type uses the old Ford Mondeo's chassis, but that was a peach, so this car handles well. Plenty of grip, losing out to understeer when you push too hard. The ‘Sport' variant is firmer without being much better.

  

• Practicality

  Headroom's not great in the back, but otherwise there's enough interior acreage to meet most needs.

  

• Running costs

  The 2.0-litre is in the 17 percent tax bracket and gets nearly 50mpg, but the 2.2 is much better and loses virtually nothing in mpg. Residuals are absolutely pants.