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2005 Jaguar X-Type Mid-Size Luxury Sedan and Sport Wagon
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Interior
Jaguar tried to give the the X Type the same luxurious interior as its, more expensive, sister the XJ. While it isn't the same, it is a good approximation.
The layout of the dashboard and instrument panel is similar to the XJ. Under a low-rise cowl is the main instrument cluster. On the base model and VDP there is a wood-veneer dash. The Sport gets a carbon fiber treatment. Below the center HVAC vents, the stack houses the screen for the optional navigation system, and other controls. Analog controls for the HVAC are below the screen, but above the audio controls. The center console contains the gear selector and an old-style, lever-type emergency brake.
The front seats have leather seating surfaces. They are very comfortable providing good support for long drives. There is an optional material for the sedan called Alcantara that feels like suede but is vastly more durable. It is not available in the SportWagon.
The X Type has more front-seat leg room than its competitors. But the bottom of the dash board hangs so low it decreases the size of the footwell. It feels like your knees are up against the dash, too close to it in the case of an crash.
The rear of the X Type has a comfortable, 70/30-split seat that folds flat. Some competitors don't have fold flat seats. Those that don't make their sport wagons a great deal less useful. The Sport Wagon has up to 50 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. The standard cargo net can be used to hold packages andbagged groceries in place. It can also be attached to the interior roof to prevent cargo from flying forward into the passenger compartment in the case of a crash.
Vanden Plas is Jaguar’s ultra-luxurious trim level. The VDP has upgraded leather upholstery with contrasting piping accents, burl walnut trim veneer, heated seats with position memory, 10-direction adjustments, and more.
Performance
Only one engine is available in the 2005 Jaguar X Type -- unusual in a genre where most introductions have two or more engine available. The new X Type receives a 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine with 227 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 206 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. Both a 5-speed manual and an automatic transmission are available in the sedan. The wagon comes only with an automatic transmission. And that's odd, given that the target for the vehicle are performance buyers. Most people looking for a sport wagon won't find this one sporty enough without a manual transmission.
The engine has 28 horsepower less than the Audi A4, and 2 less than the current BMW 330 models, but they have more torque. The engine is very smooth and the acceleration exciting, but it doesn't have the thrilling note of the BMW.
The transmission is smooth on up shifts, but slow to drop down when the driver stands on the peddle for passing, or getting on the freeway. The manual 2005 Jaguar X-Type with gets 18 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, while the automatic gets 18 around town and 25 on the highway.
Ride and handling
The ride of the 2005 Jaguar X-Type is luxurious, especially for its size. It is smooth and takes bumps well without bouncing. The Sport model is stiffer but remains comfortable. The wagon's ride is almost as good as the sedan. There is a little more body flex because of the large open area, but it is nominal.
Jaguar’s Traction-4 (tm) all-wheel drive system comes standard on every X-Type. Jaguar said in the past the car wouldn't handle right without it, and it definitely helps. It makes the X Type a very good choice for people who live in areas where road conditions can get challenging. Dynamic Stability Control is optional on the Base and VDP, versions. It is standard on the Sports model.
The car's handling is competitive with the 3 Series, C Class and the Audi. We recommend getting the Sport Model. The steering is quicker and the car has less roll in turns. It provides a much more satisfying drive, and very little is lost in the way of comfort.
The car was a lot of fun on the winding mountain roads of the San Jacinto forest, above Palm Springs. Point the car into a turn and it goes exactly where you want it to. We drove the X-Type at the Atlanta Motor Speedway too. We were not confident of its handling on the infield road course, but the car was smooth and stable at 135 mph on the banked portion of the oval.
Safety
The X Type is loaded with all the safety features you would expect in an entry-level, luxury sedan. There are dual-stage, front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger. The driver gets an inflatable knee bolster. Side-curtain airbags are standard for both the front and rear passengers
X Type comes equipped with 4-wheel antilock, disc brakes with plenty of stopping power for the small Jaguar. Most people plant their foot down hard on the brake pedal and hold it down during a panic maneuver. In the case of an accident, the 2005 X Type's brake pedal collapses, so that the driver's locked-tight leg doesn’t break. Electronic brake force distribution is also included.
The 2005 Jaguar X Type received a "good" rating in the 40-mph, frontal, off-set crash test. It received a "marginal" rating on the side-impact with airbags test. It also received a "poor" rating on the rear-impact test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not tested the X Type for frontal impact. But it has received a four-star ratings for front and rear passengers in the side-impact test, and four-stars for the rollover rating.
