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2008 Jaguar X-Type Full Review
Date Published: 7/19/08
2008 Jaguar X-Type Review
The 2008 Jaguar X-Type gets no major changes for what is this slow-selling car's final model year. This is Jaguar's smallest, least-expensive car. The lineup consists of a sedan and wagon, both with standard all-wheel drive. X-Types have a 227-hp 3.0-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, an antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. X-Types come with leather and wood interior trim. A sunroof is standard. Wagons have rear obstacle detection.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. Our Recommended picks are the Audi A3 and Saab 9-3.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Volvo C30.

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2008 Jaguar X-Type Road Test
Pros Cons
Standard all-wheel drive Automatic-transmission performance
Handling/roadholding Navigation-system controls
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
6 6 6 6.5

Class competitive at best. A sedan did 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds in our test. The engine is not strong below 4000 rpm, while the transmission's tardy downshifts frustrate response in the 40-55-mph range.
Fuel Economy

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
5 5 5 5.4

In Consumer Guide testing, sedans averaged 19.0 mpg in city/highway driving, 21.4 in mostly highway travel. No opportunity to measure with the wagon. Jaguar recommends premium-grade gas.
Ride Quality

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
6 5 6 5.5

Takes bumps as a solid unit. X-Type is stable at speed, befitting its sports/luxury positioning. It comfortably absorbs bad pavement with 16-inch wheels. The wagon has 17-inch wheels. It suffers from wheel patter and some impact harshness. All ride firmer still with the 18-inch tires, but none are uncomfortable.
Steering/Handling/Braking

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
7 8 7 7.3

Secure and agile for the most part. Fast turns induce some body lean, but AWD maintains outstanding grip, even when powering out of wet corners. Steering is communicative, accurate, and nicely weighted.
Quietness

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
7 6 7 6.1

Wind rush is impressively low. Road noise intrudes with the 18-inch tires. Under full throttle, the V6 growls nicely.
Controls

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
5 6 6 6.2

Unobstructed instrumentation. Low-mounted audio controls require driver to look away from the road. The navigation system is no picnic to program, and its incorporation of climate and audio functions monopolizes driver attention. The automatic transmission has Jaguar's J-shaped gate selector, which some testers fault for imprecise action and difficulty of use in manual mode.
Details

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
6 6 6 7.3

Standard leather and wood strive for an upscale cabin ambience, but some of the plastics disappoint.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
6 6 6 6.9

Adequate six-footer headroom. X-Type's standard tilt and telescopic steering column helps set a comfortable driving position. The front seats are narrower and softer than the European norm but have good support. Smartly sized mirrors contribute to fine outward visibility, despite a tallish cowl.
Room/Comfort (rear)

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
4 4 4 3.7

As much usable space as any direct rival. The seat cushion is too soft for best support, and narrow doorways compromise entry and exit.
Cargo Room

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
4 4 7 4.3

At 16 cu ft, the sedan's trunk is among the largest in this class. Folding rear seatbacks, low liftover, and nonintrusive strut hinges enhance versatility. Sportwagon increases cargo space, but overall space is less compared with other premium compact wagons.
Value within Class

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
3 4 4 6.2

The X-Type is an acceptable blend of performance and luxury. It comes with the all-weather capability of all-wheel drive, and offers the versatility of a wagon body style. X-Type has Jaguar cachet, but top rivals are better all-around cars.
Total Score

Sedan w/navigation Sedan w/18-in wheels Sportwagon Class Average
59 60 64 65.4
Scores for all Premium Compact Cars

Low Score
59
Average Score
65
High Score
72
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2008 Jaguar X-Type Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/13/2008
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
3.0 4-door sedan $35,060 $31,905 $665
Sportwagon 4-door wagon $39,330 $35,791 $665
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
3.0
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, driver knee airbag, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power driver seat, 2-way power passenger seat, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), center console, split folding rear seat, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/CD player, tachometer, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers w/heated washers, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, front and rear fog lights, 205/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels.
Sportwagon adds to 3.0:
Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, Alpine sound system, universal garage door opener, cargo cover, rear wiper.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Roof rails, 225/45HR17 tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Belize Luxury Pkg.
3.0
$1,500
$1,275
Rear-obstacle-detection system, upgraded leather upholstery and wood interior trim, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, universal garage door opener, unique interior and exterior trim, 225/45HR17 tires, unique alloy wheels.
Aruba Luxury Pkg.
3.0
$2,300
$1,955
Belize Luxury Pkg. plus 225/40ZR18 tires.
Safety
Rear-obstacle-detection system
3.0
$325
$277
Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
3.0, Sportwagon
$2,300
$1,955
Alpine sound system
3.0
$800
$680
Satellite radio
3.0, Sportwagon
$450
$383
Wireless cell phone link
3.0, Sportwagon
$500
$425
Heated front seats
3.0, Sportwagon
$500
$425
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Black roof rails
Sportwagon
$0
$0
Replaces std. silver roof rails.
Special paint
3.0, Sportwagon
$595
$506
Special order paint
3.0, Sportwagon
$1,000
$850
225/40ZR18 tires
Sportwagon
$800
$680
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2008 Jaguar X-Type Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Jaguar X-Type 4-door sedan Jaguar X-Type 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 106.7 106.7
Overall Length, in. 183.9 185.7
Overall Width, in. 70.4 70.4
Overall Height, in. 54.8 58.4
Curb Weight, lbs. 3516 3743
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 16.0 50.0
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 16.0 16.0
Seating Capacity 5 5
Front Head Room, in. 37.3 37.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.4 42.4
Rear Head Room, in. 37.5 38.9
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 34.4 34.4
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 3.0 /181
Horsepower @ rpm. 227 @ 6800
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 206 @ 3000
Availability Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
 
5-speed automatic 16/22
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Jaguar X-Type 4-door sedan Jaguar X-Type 4-door wagon
4WD Rollover 4 4
Side Impact, Driver 4 4
Side Impact, Rear Passenger 4 4
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain None/-- --
Bumper-to-bumper 4/50,000 --
Corrosion 6/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 4/50,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance 1/12,000 --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: England
Drivewheels: all-wheel drive
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