2005 Jaguar X-Type Sport review from North America

Wheel alignment needed doing at 19,000 miles. (Due to improper alignment done previously.)

Front tires needed replacing due to faulty alignment aforementioned.

Do a LOT of driving, and decided, that being the case, I want to drive something fun. (And yet still practical for an outdoorsy, active couple with kids gone, but not off the vine!)

This Jag fills the bill! It is quick, responsive, handles as though on rails, absolutely stable at speed (had it up to 130 mph once - stable as a rock), and is accompanied by the sweetest exhaust note I've ever heard. The car seems almost alive. It is a total blast to drive!

Winter handling, once equipped with proper winter tires, is superb. With all wheel drive, traction control, and dynamic stability control, it is utterly unflappable. Got caught twice in wicked spring blizzards; 4 inches of heavy, wet snow on top of icy slush; and the car didn't even quiver, much less slip, slide or skid. Inspires total confidence.

Gas mileage is averaging 25 mpg combined, with about 80% highway driving. That's usually at least 70 mph and often 80. When I keep it at 60 mph, it gets over 30 mpg, but I just can't seem to do that very often!

Driving comfort is very good; the well bolstered sport seats are very comfortable, and the climate control system is excellent (although on Auto, it cranks up too boisterously, and I have to turn it down so I can hear to shift! Once it achieves your set temp., it operates unobtrusively.) I'm over 6 feet tall, and have no trouble behind the wheel, with plenty of headroom, even with the sunroof. Back seats are good for two, but cramped with three adults; my three girls wouldn't want to go on a long ski with bulky clothes on, they say! With it's Sport suspension and 18" low profile tires, the ride is certainly not plush, but it is far from harsh; more reassuringly firm. It pounds a bit only on bad cracks in asphalt. Bottom line - my wife enjoys the ride.

On reliability and dealer service, my only complaint thus far was as a result of a dealer mistake. Another dealer fixed the alignment at no cost to me without quibble. My only disappointment was that Jaguar Canada would not consider reimbursing me for the front tires that were scrubbed off before the problem was recognized. After over 9,000 miles of driving, no problems at all. Still enjoying it immensely.