Jaguar X-Type Estate: month 4
Arrived: June 2008
List price (including options): £23,900
Average economy: 36.0mpg
The Jaguar X-Type Estate has been -
Repeating the same weekly routines with monotonous efficiency. Recent longer trips to the West Country and Central Scotland continue to allow it to excel in the areas in which it specialises. There aren't many more relaxing ways in which to undertake a long journey in comparison to a long legged diesel Jaguar.
We're loving the -
Ease of use and fuss free nature of the Jag. Several other drivers have had occasion to use it for odd jobs and jaunts of late and all have commented on the light controls, smooth shift and effortless nature of the drive.
Another consistent high point is the interior and its practicality. Quilted leather may not be to all tastes but it's unquestionably comfortable and the controls for the heated seats in the front are possibly the hardest worked buttons in the car.
On a very different note, the expansive accommodation and courteous staff at the Jaguar dealership in Peterborough (more of which next month when the car goes for its first service) adds to the ownership experience.
But not so impressed by -
Given the age of the X-Type's interactive display I suppose we should be glad Jaguar has been able to build in an iPod connection at all. However, having gone to the trouble of doing so, it would've been nice if it'd managed a more polished interface - users have found it to be frustratingly limited.
Winter road conditions have brought into focus, literally, the continued inability of the wipers to provide a streak free, cleansed windscreen on demand. On more than one occasion this has forced an unscheduled stop to do the job properly, manually.
The fuel consumption's stubborn refusal to shift upwards has finally prompted me to book it in at the dealers for them to inspect and run a diagnostic check on it - free of charge. It just doesn't seem right that 36mpg is all one can expect from the 2.2-litre diesel. However, the dealer found no faults and offered no suggestions for improvement - so 36mpg it is then.
We're looking forward to -
Having the car serviced. Following the accumulation of most people's yearly average in just five months, the X-Type has closed in on the initial, and somewhat short, 12,500-mile service interval. Experience of the dealers to date has been positive; I can't help feeling that it will be at some cost though...
