EDMUNDS.COM 2004 JAGUAR X-TYPE
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Priced to compete with the entry-luxury offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, the all-wheel-drive X-Type falls short in most areas, from driving dynamics to cabin furnishings. It''s only worth considering if you''ve got to have a Jaguar.
Pros
Comfortable highway ride, attractive styling inside and out, standard all-wheel drive, large trunk.
Cons
Doesn''t handle as well as competitors, engines short on torque, low-grade interior materials, some hard-to-use controls, tight entry to rear seat, gets expensive with options.
What''s New for 2004
For 2004, Jaguar has reduced the base price of the X-Type 3.0 by almost $3,000. In other news, the Sport Package now includes 18-inch wheels and a 320-watt sound system. All X-Types get redesigned alloy wheels, as well as a revised front bumper and new foglights. The trunk lid has been reshaped and the push-button release for the trunk is now easier to operate.
Overview
Introduction:
Two years ago, Jaguar set its sights on a younger, more mainstream consumer than it had ever targeted before. With the rollout of its X-Type model line, the manufacturer dropped prices, upped handling and threw in a manual tranny -- all in an effort to woo the entry-luxury demographic currently tossing pennies in the direction of Teutonic titans such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The X-Type expands Jaguar''s range of cars in a few noteworthy directions. It''s the first Jaguar vehicle to boast an all-wheel-drive system. Called Traction 4, this system is somewhat similar to Audi''s quattro, with 40 percent of the power sent to the front wheels and the remaining 60 percent directed toward the rear. Traction 4''s rear-biased torque is supposed to give the X-Type a sporty feel, but ultimately, this is a car that prioritizes comfort over sport. Nevertheless, there is something to be said for all-weather capability. In terms of styling, the X-Type is as smooth and sleek as any XJ8, with rounded quad headlights, a Jaguar leaper hood ornament and a discreet chrome grille proclaiming its heritage. The X-Type doesn''t have the singular glamour of its pricier siblings in the Jaguar family, though; from certain angles, it''s disappointingly reminiscent of a Ford Taurus. Inside, each X-Type comes with leather upholstery and real wood trim, but if you start adding options like a decent sound system, the Sport Package or a moonroof, the price goes up quickly. Additionally, the quality of the materials in the cabin isn''t up to the standards set by the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series and matched by the Acura TSX and Lexus ES 330. The cabin offers a decent amount of room for four adults, though tight rear door openings can make hard to get in and out. The trunk, at least, offers a generous capacity of 16 cubic feet. The competition in the entry-level luxury sedan segment has only gotten tougher since the X-Type debuted in 2002. Most of its peers, both import and domestic, surpass it in all the important areas -- engine performance, driving dynamics and cabin accommodations -- while matching (or even beating) the Jag on price. Apparently realizing this, Jaguar has dropped the base price of the 3.0 model this year, but we doubt that will be enough make up any serious ground in segment sales.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door X-Type sedan is available in two models, 2.5 and 3.0. Standard equipment on the 2.5 includes 16-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, real wood trim, automatic climate control, a four-speaker cassette stereo and one-touch power windows. The 3.0 model adds 17-inch wheels and a CD player, both of which are optional on the 2.5. Loads of options are available for those seeking to append a little something extra to their X-Type. The Sport Package offers a stability control system, alternate suspension configurations and bigger wheels and tires, plus an upgraded Alpine sound system. There''s a Premium package, which provides a power front-passenger seat, a moonroof and rear parking sensors. A Weather package adds heated front seats and headlight washers. Additionally, numerous stand-alone options are available, including 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, an Alpine stereo with a six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers and a DVD-based navigation system.
Powertrains and Performance:
X-Type buyers get a choice of two engines. The 2.5 model has a 2.5-liter V6, which generates 192 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0 model upgrades to a 3.0-liter V6, which kicks out 227 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. The X-Type is also the only Jaguar currently available with a manual transmission; it''s standard in the 2.5-liter model and available as a no-cost option in the 3.0-liter model. The other transmission choice is a five-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard on all X-Types.
Safety:
A full complement of safety features is provided by the X-Type, including seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants, side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers and four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Stability control is optional. In government crash testing, the X-Type earned four out of five stars in all frontal and side-impact categories. In frontal offset crash testing, it received a "Good" rating (the best possible).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Inside, the X-Type comes with an ample array of luxury features -- leather upholstery, real wood trim, automatic climate control and one-touch windows are part of the basic package. Unfortunately, many of the interior materials are low in quality compared to other entry-level luxury sedans. Although a sloping roof line cuts down on headroom, the X-Type can accommodate four adults, provided they can negotiate the tight rear door openings. Trunk capacity is generous at 16 cubic feet.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Compared to most other entry-level luxury sedans, the X-Type comes up short. Neither V6 engine feels particularly powerful, nor is the five-speed automatic especially quick on the draw. Those seeking maximum performance should go with the available manual gearbox. The Jaguar''s ride quality is smooth and comfortable on the highway, but it can be harsh over bumps and ruts. Opting for the sport package gives the X-Type a fair amount of agility in the turns, but most of its competitors offer better handling.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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