Frugal Good-Looker
by David Finlay (21 Jun 05)

As I pulled in to the service station for the first fill-up in this test, with 504 miles showing on the tripmeter, I was thinking warm thoughts about the X-Type diesel estate. Its un-Jaguarlike fuel economy had a lot to do with this, of course, but there was more to it than that.

For a start, I like the way it looks, both inside and out. I'm happier with the X-Type saloon's shape than other people seem to be, but I'd be the first to claim that the estate is several degrees more handsome yet. And the fact that Jaguar is clearly happier to be building large, luxury saloons than medium-sized estates - which counts against the X-Type in many ways - at least means that owners of the company's smallest model benefit from Jaguar's superb ability at creating interior ambience. Even after many hours behind the wheel, it's always a pleasure to glance around the passenger area.

The two-litre turbo diesel engine is essentially the same TDCi unit fitted to various Fords, and although I'm not convinced by claims that it has been made super-quiet for the X-Type (it seems only averagely refined for the class) it's unquestionably a fine unit. Although it's the least powerful engine fitted to any Jaguar, and produces only moderately interesting performance figures, the real-world effect is more impressive.

Once you're up and running, a small squeeze on the accelerator pedal results in a useful surge which comes in handy whether you're looking to make a quick lane change on a motorway or wanting to squirt across the apex of a corner on a twisty back road.

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