2002 Jaguar X-Type

Premium power is provided by a 3.0L V-6. In the U.S., the 3.0-liter will be mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Both 60-degree aluminum V-6s are mated to five-speeds. (The 3.0-liter is only available in the U.S. with a five-speed overdrive automatic at present). We found that both engines provide plenty of punch—even the automatic-backed 2.5 offers credible 0-60 times. These V-6s are part of the same engine family as the S-Type's V-6 and also related to Ford's 24-valve, DOHC Duratec V-6s.


Downstream, a seamless, virtually transparent 40/60 viscous-coupling all-wheel-drive system with dynamic stability control (DSC) rivals Audi's vaunted Quattro for wet- and dry-weather grip. Besides helping to differentiate the X from the C-Class, the Lexus IS 300 and the rear-wheel-drive BMWs, all-wheel-drive "works a treat" as the British say.

To compete with Germany's and Japan's "affordable" performers, the X gets traction from a 40/60-front/rear viscous all-wheel-drive system.

Turning hot laps at Britain's famed Castle Coombe racetrack, it was virtually impossible to lose the X-Type in any tight cornering situation. Handling is hardly shabby on the standard 16-inch wheels with Pirelli 205/55 P6000s; it's noticeably better with the Sport version's optional 17-inch Pirelli P-Zero or Continental Contisport Contact tires when matched with the option package's re-tuned shocks, springs and steering. The ride is velvety; it's all very Jaguar. An impressive anti-lock braking system, supplemented by Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), ensures that the X stops time after time as well as it goes.

Shod in walnut and leather, a fully loaded interior includes a Nav system, touch-screen LCD display, upgraded sound system and integrated cell phone.

Lined with choice walnut and Connolly leather, the X's attractive interior resembles a miniature British men's club. All the "mod cons" are available. For example, a user-friendly navigation system costs an additional $2,200. An optional seven-inch touch-screen LCD display permits instant viewing of climate control functions, the available Alpine audio system and 6-CD changer, the SatNav system and cellular phone. A JaguarNet telematic emergency-messaging system combined with the integrated phone is available for $1,500. Premium ($2,500) and Sport packages ($4,500, which includes all Premium features) combine popular luxury and performance options at a savings. One notable surprise: At 16 cubic feet, this kitten's trunk is the biggest ever on a Jag. (The S-Type is just 13 cubic feet and the larger XJ8 is 14.5). Speaking of space, the rear-seat area compares well to that of the C-Class.

Although its shares some componentry with the Ford Mondeo, the X-Type's styling is unmistakably Jaguar.

While the X-Type shares a few underpinnings with Europe's lower-priced Ford Mondeo (based on the same platform as the discontinued Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique), everything's been tweaked and augmented up to Jaguar standards. We'd like to see the 5-speed manual available in the U.S.—Jaguar officials hint that they're considering it. And we're not crazy about the carried-over Jaguar J-gate automatic shifter (the detents are often hard to find), but with practice, reasonably crisp up- and downshifting is possible. Some testers criticized the front and rear styling, feeling that the former resembles a shrunken big Jaguar sedan and the rear a slightly smaller S-Type. We disagree and think that the combination works nicely, with enough essential visual differentiation to separate Jag's new baby from its bigger brethren.