I agree, but as a man who has luggage space to spare in a Lotus Elise, I suppose I would.With the rear seats down, the X-Type wagon allegedly has the biggest loadbay in its class.
There is always the danger that the figures have been achieved with ping-pong balls, or something else that no-one carries loose and in bulk. The plant pots and charcoal briquettes end is a very clean and tidy shape, though, and the sturdy retractable load cover is worthy of note.
Also encouraging is the way the wagon redesign has been used as an excuse to update the feel of the X-Type in general. The members-only wood 'n' leather ambience of old can now be eschewed in favour of Alcantara and carbon fibre. It lends the car a much more contemporary feel, to the extent that it's now the retro front end that looks out of place.
Specs are largely as the sedan, with SE and Sport derivatives plus a new hose-down 'classic' trim. Engine-wise, you have a choice of three V6 petrol jobs: 2.0-, 2.5- or three-litres (the latter two with all-wheel drive), or a front-drive-only two-litre four-pot diesel. The diesel is not available as an auto, which seems a shame, especially as the Mondeo unit has been suitably Jaguarised for more even delivery.
My choice remains a 3.0-litre auto for refinement and in SE trim, for its slightly better ride.And there's a thing - subtle mods to the estate's springs, etc, actually seem to have improved the estate's ride slightly compared with the sedan's.
Apart from a touch of wind noise around the mirrors, it's quiet too. In fact, from the driving seat, there is no impression at all that the car you are driving is an wagon. You don't sense it, and you can't see it.
Then again, bar a bleary-eyed morning perusal, I can't see my own hair most of the time, but I still don't want a mullet.
James May
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