2008 Jaguar X-Type Review
2008 Jaguar X-Type Review
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Used X-Type for sale
Appraise This CarJaguar X-Type model years
Jaguar X-Type types
- Sedan
- Wagon
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Classic Jaguar image, nice highway ride.
Cons
- Disappointing interior materials, needs more power, poor fuel economy, tight rear-seat entry.
What’s new
Some formerly optional higher-end features have been made standard on the 2008 Jaguar X-Type. On the sedan, this includes the 10-way power front seats with driver memory, rain-sensing wipers, the auto-dimming rearview mirror and the rear center headrest. The Sportwagon adds only the headrest, as the other items were already standard on it.
Edmunds says
Although they might appeal to those who want Jaguar prestige at a lower-than-your-typical-Jag price, the 2008 Jaguar X-Type sedan and wagon are otherwise thoroughly outclassed by a bevy of newer competitors in the entry-level luxury car market.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2008 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$297/mo for X-Type 3.0L
X-Type 3.0L
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
The Jaguar X-Type has always seemed like a television spin-off of a popular film. And not in a good, "M*A*S*H" sort of way. Rather, more along the lines of "My Big Fat Greek Life" or "RoboCop: The Series." All the things that made the big-budget versions a success leave something to be desired in a smaller, less expensive medium, especially when it comes to production values. Although the 2008 X-Type tries its best to act the part of a baby Jaguar XJ, it ultimately feels like a lesser car half-heartedly tarted up with wood, chrome and leaping-cat hood ornament.
In fact, that's exactly what it is, as the X-Type sedan and wagon (called "Sportwagon") are based on the last-generation Ford Mondeo, a front-wheel-drive family sedan and wagon sold in Europe. Since no self-respecting Jag could have its power shunted through the front wheels, all X-Types come with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). It's certainly a nice attribute, and in years past AWD was one of the car's main advantages. However, AWD has become more common in the entry-luxury segment, and most competing sedans and wagons now offer it as an option.
Perhaps realizing this, Jaguar has been trying to increase the X-Type's appeal by making more features part of the car's standard equipment list. This year's sedan, for instance, comes with the formerly optional 10-way power front seats and driver memory. Still, for its price of entry, this Jaguar should offer more quality materials and refinement -- copious amounts of sapele wood trim and leather aren't enough.
Overall, we've never thought much of the X-Type, and the fact that it's now in its seventh year of production and still hasn't had a full redesign makes our heart grow even colder. Along with its interior plastics and overall build quality remaining several steps behind competing vehicles, its performance and fuel economy are hardly captivating. The 2008 Jaguar X-Type is quite simply standing still in a segment that's rapidly moving forward with the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Lexus IS and redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Though, on the bright side, the X-Type is at least more enjoyable than "My Big Fat Greek Life."
Performance & mpg
The only engine offered in the 2008 X-Type Sportwagon and sedan is a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 227 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is Jaguar's signature J-gate shifter. All-wheel drive is standard. In our performance testing, a Sportwagon went from zero to 60 mph in a lackluster 8.2 seconds. The car's EPA estimate for 2008 fuel economy (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway) is similarly below average for this segment.
Safety
Standard safety features include front-seat side airbags and side-curtain airbags for both front and rear passengers. There is also a knee bolster airbag for the driver. Stability control and antilock disc brakes are included as well. In testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2008 Jaguar X-Type sedan earned a top score of "Good" for its protection of occupants in frontal-offset crashes. IIHS side-impact tests resulted in a "Marginal" rating, the second-lowest, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the car a four-star rating (out of a possible five) for side-impact crashworthiness.
Driving
Compared to most other entry-level luxury sedans and wagons, the 2008 Jaguar X-Type comes up short in terms of driving excitement and refinement. Its V6 engine is less powerful than those found in many current family sedans, and the five-speed automatic is not especially quick on the draw. The Jaguar's ride quality is smooth and comfortable on the highway, but it can be harsh over bumps and ruts.
Interior
In photographs, the Jaguar X-Type's interior looks like an elegant atmosphere evocative of a classic Jaguar. The dashboard look is certainly reminiscent of the XJ and XK8 with its large swath of dashboard wood trim and central pod of controls. Take a seat in the real thing, though, and the X-Type immediately calls to mind that low-budget TV spin-off. Materials quality is unimpressive, particularly the plastic central control pod, which is also not particularly ergonomic. The wagon offers a maximum of 50 cubic feet of space, which is a smaller amount than other entry-level luxury wagons provide.
2008 Jaguar X-Type models
The 2008 Jaguar X-Type is available in sedan and wagon body styles with only one trim level. Standard equipment is plentiful, with 16-inch alloy wheels (17 inches on the wagon), a sunroof, automatic headlights and wipers, leather upholstery, real wood trim, tilt-telescoping wheel, 10-way power front seats with driver memory, a trip computer and a six-speaker audio system with CD player. The Sportwagon also comes with reverse parking assist and a premium 10-speaker audio system.
Other options include 18-inch wheels, heated seats, reverse parking assist on the sedan, a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and for the sedan, the premium stereo. Jaguar brings a touch of the Caribbean to the sedan with the Aruba and Belize luxury packages that add different wheels, seat piping, burl walnut veneers, a wood-and-leather steering wheel and Homelink.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2008 Jaguar X-Type.
5 star(75%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(2%)
65 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Nine years and 111,000 miles; living with the Jaq
Kevin Bowley, 12/04/2015
2007 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
I have owned my 2007 X-type since new, Oct 2006, and it now has 112000 miles and 9 years of relatively aggressive driving in the four seasons in Maine. The car still gets far more "looks" than my wife’s '10 Audi A4 and the chassis and suspension are still very tight, noticeable difference from the day I purchased it. It rides buttery smooth yet provides excellent feedback, on center … feel, no body roll or any floaty feel even driving triple digit speeds. I have thoroughly enjoyed the car and it has been extremely reliable. Other than routine maintenance (2 sets of tires, brakes and rotors twice, changed out all driveline fluids once and filled with Mobile one at 75k as well as the transmission flush with Redline D4 Synthetic ATF) I had to replace a brake booster (480 at dealer), a water pump (325.00 at local shop), tie rod ends and a throttle position sensor. I consider 1200.00 in repairs over 9 years of hard driving and setting outside darn good. The chassis is completely rust free, paint still looks great, exhaust is still shiny steel and it the engine is very strong. It feels much stronger than its rated 230 hp albeit rather noisy when pushed to the red line. The 5-speed auto tranny is eager to upshift when left in normal mode in an effort to achieve good fuel economy. Placed in sports mode it holds the gears longer, not overly, and seems to be the better overall choice for 2 lane and city driving so I always leave it in sport mode, which it retains when shut down so when you start it after setting for 5 minutes or a week it will retain the mode it was in when you last parked it, nice. All the interior pieces show no wear, the heated Connolly leather seats are wonderfully comfortable for my 5'7" frame and show no aging, fading, ripples nor creasing and the fronts are 8 way power. Rear seat room is fair, fine when setting behind me but tight if the fronts are slid way back, they too are comfortable save for bit short for good thigh support but it works out because your feet rest on the floor just right. The rear center armrest is nice and wide with two sturdy cup holders. It has all the right safety features and then some; dual stage front airbags and a drivers knee airbag, side impact bags and overhead full length side impact bags that come out of the roof, passenger side weight sensing front airbag that also compensates for the seat position, anti-lock brakes, emergency brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, all-wheel drive, traction control and stability control (both can be disabled allowing for spinning in heavy snow with cutting power, I find it useful getting up the 30 degree hill in a foot of snow in my 2/10 mile driveway) though I don’t believe the stability control is fully disabled it does allow for aggressive off-ramp fun without interference. If left on it can be a bit overcautious as I have had it cut power during hard acceleration with a tad of oversteer on an uphill reducing radius off ramp a few times right at the apex exit. Top speed in mine is 145 give or take, which was surprising as I was sure that the computer would intervene as others had said there’s’ would cut out at 125. It was very stable with no floating and little wind buffeting.
The 120-watt stereo sounds decent enough and I like the auto volume adjustment as speed increases. Reception is exceptional on both AM and FM bands with no electronic interference on the AM side, which I use frequently when commuting. It also has the Bluetooth phone module, which works without a hitch. For winter, driving the car has heated outside driver and passenger mirrors that work extremely well as do the heated windshield washer jets.
The trunk is surprisingly large and is well fitted but lacks any storage compartments. I installed a couple of bins at the rear outside edges fastened with some Velcro to store such things as my bottle of fuel stabilizer and Marvel Mystery oil for use when buying fuel for my yard equipment. I also installed a stretchable net a couple feet from the rear to prevent groceries from sliding forward if a hard stop is required.
To sum it up, because of the issues that plaque the early models sales plummeted and never recovered even though 2006+ models are as reliable as expected from any newer car. It can also be found at very attractive prices in the used car market and you can get a very nice highline car for the price of a Corolla yet is far more enjoyable to own. The car was also dinged for being a ford Mondeo yet it shares a mere 15 percent of Mondeo parts. It is fast, comfortable, tight, elegant, attractive, and rare. It garners attention from onlookers and it has been very reliable. I would have no reservations jumping in tomorrow and driving it to Salt Lake to visit my brother, cruising in complete comfort and confidence at 85 mph. With its resale now at about 7500.00, I have no intention nor reason to "upgrade" to a newer sports sedan as the Jag has and is a pleasure. I wis
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent drive!
ivonnics, 11/10/2006
2006 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Excellent drive, always dreamed about the car, and now that I own it, I am not disappointed at all, on the contrary, all expectations were fulfilled!
5 out of 5 stars
Cool little cat
macktee, 12/16/2006
2007 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Moving from a 1994 XJ-6 to the 2007 X-type, I was pleasantly surprised by the same "Jaguar" feel of the car. It is as quick as the older car and feels every bit as stable. Very nice ride, smooth and corners like a go-kart. Get the "luxury" package. BIG difference in the interior accomodations and well worth the cost. It's small, but it's definately a Jaguar!
4.88 out of 5 stars
Underappreciated gem of a car!
aluni@DC, 03/23/2010
2006 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Came down to this and a 2007 Mercedes C Class 280 4 matric. I picked the X- Type for a more stylish exterior styling and more interior space. The Mercedes had slightly better drivability and slightly better interior build quality. But the overall styling of the X-type and the super low miles (10K on the X Type v. 39K on the C280) won me over. Both cars handled well and the engines seemed … very comparable. I really like how smoothly the Jaguar drives and how comfortable the seats are. The interior space is excellent on this. I have absolutely no regrets about my decision. The overall quality on this car seems solid.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2008 Jaguar X-Type, so we've included reviews for other years of the X-Type since its last redesign.
2008 X-Type Highlights
Sedan
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $35,060 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $297/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the X-Type include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalMarginal
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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