2007 Jaguar X-Type

After a brief pause during which it built no vehicles, Jaguar is transitioning to an all-electric luxury brand. In years past, Jaguar was best known for its legendary sports cars, including the E-Type of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and luxurious sedans such as the XJ. The brand was reborn under Ford’s ownership in the 1990s, then sold to India’s Tata Group where it was merged with Land Rover. Eventually, big cars with wood-and-leather interiors gave way to sportier, fun-to-drive models including some compact and midsized SUVs. Jaguar’s first attempt at an EV, the I-Pace, failed to keep up with the competition, and the XF sedan continued on for years without major updates. Both Jaguar and Land Rover share some parts and underlying vehicle designs. Neither brand has shed its reputation for reliability issues, which makes it difficult to recommend used models—even though the XE and XF still offer impressive driving excitement and luxury.

Introduced for 2002, the X-Type served as Jaguar's entry-level model but was never a great car. AWD and numerous safety features were standard but the cheap switchgear betrayed this car's origins as a mid-level Ford sedan. The X-Type's up-level 3.0-liter V6 is a lively performer, and the optional five-speed automatic shifts smoothly. (A five-speed manual was standard.) We found handling balanced at the limits but not all that agile in normal driving. The ride was comfortable and braking performance was excellent. On the downside, the cabin was a bit tight, road noise was pronounced, and fit and finish were unimpressive. A wagon version joined the 2005 lineup. 2008 was the final year for the X-Type.