Used Jaguar X-type Estate 2001 - 2009 review

Estate cars derived from compact executive cars aren't always the most practical, but the Jag is certainly one of the better ones. The boot is big and well-shaped, and there's plenty of room for passengers, too.

The cabin feels quite classy, everything feels well made, and all versions get leather. However, some buyers still might expect more from a Jaguar.

Best of all, the estate drives every bit as well as the saloon. The ride is comfortable, even at motorway speeds, and the tidy handling means there's plenty of fun to be had. The Sport model comes with a sports-tuned suspension, and this sharpens everything up even more without sacrificing much in the way of comfort. It's definitely worth having.

An X-type makes a decent cruiser, too. All of the engines are smooth and quiet, and road noise is well suppressed, although there is a bit too much wind noise at motorway speeds.

The X-type is quite a bit cheaper to buy than the equivalent BMW, Mercedes or Audi. This isn't really surprising, because it was cheaper when the cars were new, and the Jaguar never held its value as well.

Depending on which one you go for, it'll also prove cheaper at the pumps. The average fuel consumption of 48.7mpg on our favourite 2.0-litre diesel is a touch leaner than the equivalent Mercedes or BMW of the same age. The other engines in the X-type range are among the best in the class for fuel consumption, too.

In terms of insurance, it's level-pegging between the Jag and its competitors, but where you will pay for the Jag, is in servicing costs. Surprisingly, the Jag is pricier to maintain than its more expensive German rivals, and by quite a bit.

We like the 2.0-litre diesel version best, as it gives strong performance and better fuel economy than any other engine in the range. It really suits the car, very refined and flexible. The 2.2 diesel is quicker, but fuel costs aren't as low, and it's noisier, so we'd give it a miss.

The petrol engines are, predictably, much thirstier than the diesels, and neither suits the car as well as the diesels. But, if you simply must have a petrol engine, go for the 2.5 V6. It's quick enough, and costs less to buy and run than the 3.0 V6.

Sport trim is our favourite. It costs more than the basic S trim, and equipment levels are much the same - with climate control, electric seat adjustment and part-leather upholstery - but you get that tuned sports suspension, and that's enough to swing it for us. The SE gives you more luxury kit, but costs so much more that it's not worth considering.