Jaguar X-Type

The Jaguar X-Type is an OK mid-range sedan, 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

  You can't buy a petrol-engined X-Type saloon these days (although you can buy a 3.0-litre V6 petrol estate), so the choice is either 98kW 2.0-litre or 114kW 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; 0-100/km/h in 8.5 seconds and 220km/h.

  

• Cool

  Imagine if Armarni started supplying $50 suits to Coles? 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 with either the saloon or estate versions, losing out to understeer when you push too hard. The ‘Sport' variant is firmer without being much better.

  

• Practicality

  Go for the estate if haulage is an issue, but five is an easy one in the saloon. 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 6/8L/100km, but the 2.2 is much better and loses virtually nothing in economy. Residuals are absolutely pants.