2004 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 review from North America

A tiny piece of the body molding popped off of the roof (little tab).

There's a little rattle on the passenger side door. But it was easily fixed.

My wife and I researched cars quite a bit before buying this Jaguar. The general comments from the snobbish reviewers were disappointing. But we ignored them and gave it a test drive. The moment I was behind the wheel and on the road, my decision was made. Don't listen to the snobbish reviewers!

We bought this car fully loaded - luxury package, with both front seats heated, rear parking sensor, etc. Everything works as advertised.

The main point I want to make concerns the snobbish reviewers who keep comparing it to that itsy bitsy little BMW hatchback 300 series. Oh, its not a hatchback? Sorry, easy mistake to make. I see these 300 series cars on every corner. They are SO tiny! Where do these snobbish reviewers get off saying the Jaguar X-Type has a similar or same amount of room?! Crazy. Let's put it this way - you could easily fit a family of four in a Jaguar X-Type. In a 300 Series? Yeah, maybe, for like a 10 minute drive to the store, before the kids start pulling each other's hair out.

OK, size not an issue? Let's talk NHTSA crash test results. The X-Type comes with every airbag known to man. You got curtains, side doors, passenger side, etc. BMW? Don't think so. Jaguar X-Type scored 4 stars in every category. BMW? Nope. As a matter of fact, the 300 series had serious safety concerns noted for one of the categories. You going to trust your loved ones in that tiny danger box? Not me.

OK, let's talk price. Here's another one the snobbish reviewers get 100% completely wrong. Just pull up the stats on the web and see for yourself. I did it just a few minutes ago. I added up all the amenities we have on our fully-loaded Jaguar and guess what - the BMW is thousands, THOUSANDS more expensive! PLUS, it doesn't come with AWD!

Let's talk AWD. I've never had an AWD vehicle before. But, living in a mountain state, I figure it will come in handy. BMW? Not even an option from what I could see. The Jag has a death grip on the pavement. I am truly amazed at how the car feels with that immense grip. It's a truly comforting feel on those sleety days when you're on the freeway trying to pass a double-decker semi-trailer doing 75 mph. Let's face it, the truck driver probably won't even see your tiny BMW 300 series.

Sorry for the rant, but as you can tell, I am fed up with the reviewers. Its just like movies - most reviewers have their own little pet peeves and favorites and they aren't anything like us. The snobs point out the little plastic parts in the Jaguar cup holders, etc. Who cares? It holds the cup, right? It doesn't determine whether I have a good day or bad day, whether I swerve and end up in a ditch turned around 180 degrees, whether I can fit ALL of my parents' luggage in the trunk when we pick them up from the airport... They cry about how WONDERFUL the BMW 300 series handles compared to the Jaguar. Who are these people? Its like apples and oranges! AWD v. rear wheel drive? Tiny hatchback v. sedan? I'm no car expert, but these seem like some pretty BIG differences to me. If you read the reviews closely, you will see they all say the X-Type handles very well and the AWD is gripping (sorry for the pun).

In summary, forget the hype. Get a real car, not what everyone and their brother has. If you drive a BMW 300 series, I'm sorry you bought into the hype. Trade it in for an X-Type and start living life a little. Buy a Jaguar for its style, for its statement. It exudes success and refinement. What does the BMW 300 series exude? You're just like all the rest? The X-Type is perfect for 20-somethings or 30-somethings buying their first luxury car. Our next car will also be chosen from the same parking lot this one came from, just maybe a size or two bigger.