Jaguar X-Type Estate Review
Published: 3rd March 2005
Jaguar X-Type Estate
Safety and Security 
Safety starts with the Traction-4 All Wheel Drive system, which includes Dynamic Stability Control which was standard on our test car the Jaguar X-TYPE Estate 3 litre V6 Sport Premium.
Key safety features include ABS, EBD (electronic brake-force distribution), occupancy-sensing restraint systems, adaptive dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtain airbags - for both front and rear occupants.
Front seatbelts have pre-tensioning and load limiting functions and rear seats offer three three-point belts and adjustable head restraints. Rear seat mountings and release catch strength are designed to exceed all legislative requirements on luggage retention in case of an accident. As with the saloon there are door open warnings for both elements of the tailgate.
Comfort and Refinement
Front seat passengers will find the Jaguar X-TYPE Estate a very comfortable place to be. Our test car was fitted with standard sports seats which were comfortable and supportive. Drivers 10 way electrically adjustable seat with memory was specified as a £785 option and was perfect for swapping over drivers. The sport perforated leather steering wheel is manually adjustable for tilt and reach enabling you to find the perfect driving position.
Those on the taller side might find the driving position a little on the high side to get truly comfortable. Rear legroom is more restricted and the rear doors don’t open that wide, and you have to step over a wide sill - the rear seats are also on the hard side, but they are supportive.
Variable two stage heated front seats are standard on Sport models as is a heated front windscreen - perfect for those cold mornings.
The dashboard is ergonomically laid out, simple and uncluttered. Whilst driving at night we were pleased to see that you can remotely switch on the headlights, perfect for us country folk that don’t have the benefit of street lights. Thoughtfully our car was fitted with the Xenon headlight package, which made light work of country lanes at night and the interior rear view mirror automatically dips. The standard rain sensitive windscreen wipers came in handy when it started to snow and it was paramount to keep both hands on the wheel.
The level of refinement is high and includes automatic climate control, front and rear armrests, front and rear cup holders, electric front and rear windows, front ashtray and cigar lighter, driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors, illuminated lockable glove box with net pocket, seat back pockets, footwell lights and large door bins.
How It Looks - Exterior
Unmistakably a Jaguar from every angle - the exterior exudes performance and has great road presence.
In our opinion the X-TYPE Estate is better looking than the striking
saloon on which it is based. From the ‘B’ pillar back
the estate is completely different and you can see the influence
of the original 1960’s XJ6 in the X-TYPE design.
Ian Callum, the man responsible for the design of the X-TYPE Estate
also penned the Aston Martin Vanquish and DB9 - so he has an eye
for beauty.
