Item: Used Jaguar X-type Estate 2001 - 2009
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

X-TYPE

It drives just as well as the saloon version, but gives more practicality

Used Jaguar X-type Estate 2001 - 2009

The X-type is quite a bit cheaper to buy than the equivalent BMW, Mercedes or Audi. This isn't really surprising, because it was cheaper when the cars were new, and the Jaguar never held its value as well.

Depending on which one you go for, it'll also prove cheaper at the pumps. The average fuel consumption of 48.7mpg on our favourite 2.0-litre diesel is a touch leaner than the equivalent Mercedes or BMW of the same age. The other engines in the X-type range are among the best in the class for fuel consumption, too.

In terms of insurance, it's level-pegging between the Jag and its competitors, but where you will pay for the Jag, is in servicing costs. Surprisingly, the Jag is pricier to maintain than its more expensive German rivals, and by quite a bit.

It drives just as well as the saloon version, but gives more practicality

We like the 2.0-litre diesel version best, as it gives strong performance and better fuel economy than any other engine in the range. It really suits the car, very refined and flexible. The 2.2 diesel is quicker, but fuel costs aren't as low, and it's noisier, so we'd give it a miss.

The petrol engines are, predictably, much thirstier than the diesels, and neither suits the car as well as the diesels. But, if you simply must have a petrol engine, go for the 2.5 V6. It's quick enough, and costs less to buy and run than the 3.0 V6.

Sport trim is our favourite. It costs more than the basic S trim, and equipment levels are much the same - with climate control, electric seat adjustment and part-leather upholstery - but you get that tuned sports suspension, and that's enough to swing it for us. The SE gives you more luxury kit, but costs so much more that it's not worth considering.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

Most X-type owners seem fairly happy with their cars, according to JD Power Customer Satisfaction Surveys, achieving mid-table respectability. It could be argued that you might expect more from a premium brand, though.

Jaguar's performance wasn't quite as encouraging in our latest Reliability Survey, though, finishing a disappointing 23rd out of 30 car makers.

If you're going to buy an X-type estate, buy a post-2003 example. The surveys indicate that the car's reliability improves after this date.

Many early cars suffered from clutch failure and transmission whine, rattling steering, various electrical faults and leaking door seals. Keep an eye out for signs of these problems, because Jaguars can often prove quite expensive to fix.

Estate cars derived from compact executive cars aren't always the most practical, but the Jag is certainly one of the better ones. The boot is big and well-shaped, and there's plenty of room for passengers, too.

The cabin feels quite classy, everything feels well made, and all versions get leather. However, some buyers still might expect more from a Jaguar.

Best of all, the estate drives every bit as well as the saloon. The ride is comfortable, even at motorway speeds, and the tidy handling means there's plenty of fun to be had. The Sport model comes with a sports-tuned suspension, and this sharpens everything up even more without sacrificing much in the way of comfort. It's definitely worth having.

An X-type makes a decent cruiser, too. All of the engines are smooth and quiet, and road noise is well suppressed, although there is a bit too much wind noise at motorway speeds.

Used Jaguar X-type Estate 2001 - 2009 review

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