2005 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon

First it was station wagons. People and cargo friendly, they defined family transportation for decades. Then came the minivans. They were popular because they did what wagons did, only more so (and they weren't what your parents drove). Next up were the sport-utility vehicles. They were larger yet, with tons of room and the ability to climb rocks. Many people bought them because, well, many people were buying them; and, besides, you never knew when you might want to climb some rocks. Soon, though, owners discovered those big SUVs drank more than a frat house on a Friday night. And, when it came down to it, most folks weren't as interested in climbing rocks as they were in not getting stuck in the snow. Bigger, they decided, wasn't necessarily better. What was really needed was something with all-wheel drive (to avoid getting stuck) that drove like a car (and less like a truck), which brings us full circle to the new age station wagon.

The Sportwagon benefits from good genetics and an extended hatchback style that nicely balances a handsome, yet elegant front fascia.

Fueled by a backlash against driving more than you need, new generation, all-wheel-drive station wagons are back—and better than ever. Many are still dressed like SUVs, and most aren't even called station wagons (it's that "parents" thing, you know). Strip away the plastic cladding and chunky styling, and you'll find that the hottest trend in autodom is another kind of hybrid: a small, midsize station wagon, with all-wheel drive. Lots of automakers are jumping into the fray, and one of the latest is also one of the most surprising—Jaguar.


X-Type is the premium compact-class entry into the Jaguar stable. Introduced in the fall of 2001, the four door sedans have sold over 100,000 units in the U.S. to date; 250,000 worldwide. Over 1,000 component changes have been made to X-Type since its rollout. But from the start, the biggest distinction about this, the smallest Jaguar, has been the platform. All X-Types are all-wheel drive. The 2005 Jaguar X-Type lineup includes three new players: Sport, upscale VDP and the Sportwagon. The surprise entry is the latter—the first production wagon ever built by the company from Coventry.


Style-wise, the Sportwagon benefits from good genetics. Like all X-Types, it shows a strong facial resemblance to its older brother the XJ, Jaguar's elegant, full-size luxury sedan. On the X-Type sedans, the handsome front end is the highlight. The move from north to south along the body is somewhat less successful, because the proportion is pinched—it doesn't have the length of lines that the XJ does. Sportwagon is a different proposition, as from the b-pillar back the body stretches into a traditional wagon back end. It's an extended hatchback style that nicely balances the front end design, capped by signature Jaguar cues like a bright work blade and oversize taillights.

The optional navigation system with 7-inch touch screen is simple to use while offering a myriad of ways to select and view maps and points of interest.

Inside, Sportwagon and sedan are mirror images in many respects. The cabin is well appointed, with a supple cut of leather for the upholstery. You're within arm's length of all switches. The center stack is button-busy, though logically laid out, with some redundant controls (sound system, cruise control) on the steering wheel. One touch opens or closes the standard moon roof. With the roof open, even at highway speeds, there's minimal wind buffeting and you can carry on a conversation without having to raise your voice.