First Drive: 2005 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon

[coolcaddy]

First Drive: 2005 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon
A Reasonable Alternative
By Brian Moody
Date posted: 02-07-2005

Americans love alternatives. Even the word "alternative" is approaching overexposure. We have alternative medicine, alternative lifestyles and alternative music. But really, alternatives are about being different.

Of course "alternative" begs the question "alternative to what?" Well, in most cases it's an alternative to "normal." For example, most people in the U.S. drive a car, but many don't want to get lost in the crowd. It seems like everyone drives a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, but those who want to be a little different might opt for a Scion tC or Mazda 6.

The same goes for minivans and SUVs — they're useful and practical, but oh so common. Thankfully, there's an alternative and it's shaping up to be the station wagon. Today's wagons can provide a sporty and fun way to skip the SUV and minivan bandwagon.

And the latest brand to join the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Subaru and Volvo in offering a wagon is Jaguar. Officially named the X-Type Sportwagon, it is Jaguar's first production station wagon. With it, Jaguar is hoping to provide one more option for entry-luxury wagon buyers and performance enthusiasts alike. But even company officials admit the Sportwagon won't break sales records as wagons are expected to account for less than 10 percent of total X-Type sales. That's OK by us; the key to any alternative is exclusivity. You can't be different if you look like everyone else — sorry, punker high school kids.

Still, the X-Type Sportwagon is an appealing car — at least on the outside. It looks sporty enough for a wagon but it's also recognizable as a Jag. Inside, the formula falls apart a bit. Like the X-Type sedans, the wagon's interior looks plain and the luxury notion is about as convincing as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host Ty Pennington's enthusiasm.

more...

[the prix]

I have nothing against them, but I never have been big on Jaguars.

except for the S-type R. I don't see nothing wrong with 390hp.

[dav305z]

I hope the new 9-3 Hatch reaches our shores. It'll eat this thing alive.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by the prix

I have nothing against them, but I never have been big on Jaguars.

Yes, I never quite got the Jaguar mystique. I suppose they're nice enough cars, and Ford seems to have improved their quality - imagine that. I just never lusted for one...

except I do fancy the upcoming Jag XKR, or at least the recently-revealed, thinly disguised concept of it - the Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe

[jro4566]

I too am another person not exactly awol for a Jag. They are beautifully styled, but other than that they are nothing special.

[HEVguy]

It is alright I suppose. It is just way too old-school lux station wagon IMO... Why anyone would buy the old-school Mercedes or Jag station wagons is beyond me.

[stevecmh]

The back is pretty ugly. I sure hope the 9-3 comes, at least its rear looks perfect.

[redimpss5]

Taurus wagon. But, wagons are in right now.

[mgescuro]

There is just an aura that surrounds Jaguars. There aren't many cars that command immediate respect as Jaguar.
They arent the best made cars around... They aren't the fastest, sportiest, luxurious cars around. But they still command respect.

That's why Jaguar fans really don't care for the X-Type. It does not belong in the Jaguar lineup. S-Type is probably the lowest the brand can go successfully.

I guess you really can't understand what a Jaguar is or why it is that way until you have one in the family... or own one... or have a buddy who has one. They are very nice cars.

[LT1SS]

When people mention luxury cars they lust after, they always seem to mention either BMW, MB, or Jaguar. I can't recall Jag ever being best in class for anything. Besides the slick exterior styling, Jaguar's always at the bottom of the list for me.

[bksavs]

yawn, the Saab is waaaaay more appealing. the 60s sport coupes were sweet, this just doesn't excite me. Wait...another sport wagon.....could this be the end of mini-vans.......now I'm getting excited......LOL! The Jaguar mystique stems from the European cars are better perception. In the 50s and 60s America was building big heavy sloppy handling cars while Europe was building small light tight handling cars. This is the perception alot of people still have. Of course Jag had their problems. I don't think anyone got their XJ12 to run properly.

[69nova]

Funny how a car like the Jag gets a big black meatball (poor reliability) from Consumers' Reports yet people have this thing about them. They act like their is something holy about driving this thing.
And I cannot figure out why by a Cadillac pick up truck or a Porsche SUV or a Jag wagon? Paying big bucks to be unique? I could purchase a Chevy pick up or a Honda SUV or a Dodge wagon and walk away with just as good a vehicle and have a wad of dough still in my pocket.

[paul8488]

Okay, if any car shouldn't be made into a wagon it's a Jag. I think that looks awful. The car is otherwise fairly graceful... but it should stay a sedan. Of course you can't blame a manufacturer for wanting to branch out... but from a visually appealing standpoint that thing gets a big fat zero.

[powervette]

when I see it on the street from the back I always thinks it's a Volvo.
It was supposed to be a JAguar,right?

[killerfire]

Am I the only one who tink that those tailights scream Volvo S40 ????

As for the whole package, well, sad for Jauguar but I really dont feel it's something to write home about !!!