Review
Faced with taking on the might of the three German brands in the premium-upper medium segment, the X-type needs to have a full range of engines, including an oil burner, in a bid to win vital corporate sales.
While the BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-class and Audi A4 have offered diesel versions for years, the X-type has, so far, been battling on with three petrol engines and its relatively low sales figures reflect the lack of a diesel option.
But with a little help from parent company Ford, the first-ever diesel Jaguar has been revealed, offering company car drivers the chance to opt for a premium badge while still keeping their benefit-in-kind tax bills at a reasonable level.
The unit is essentially a Ford Mondeo TDCi 130 engine, but Jaguar's engineers have gone to great lengths to ensure that their first diesel offering is as refined and economical as the best in the sector. And they have succeeded.
From inside the car, noise levels at idle are very well suppressed thanks to the extra insulation Jaguar has installed at the front end of the X-type.
This lack of engine noise continues once on the move and even at motorway speeds it is incredibly quiet – in fact wind noise from around the A-pillar is more noticeable.
So the X-type diesel is incredibly refined, but what about performance? Even though it offers only 128bhp (compared to 148bhp in BMW's 320d) it does not feel noticeably slower.
This is thanks to the broad sweep of torque available. The X-type also makes use of the overboost facility fitted to the TDCi engine. In standard running the X-type offers maximum torque of 243lb-ft from 1,800rpm but when extra power is needed for overtaking, the engine offers up to 258lb-ft. So while the BMW's headline power figure is greater than the X-type, the Jaguar makes up for this with more torque for improved mid-range performance.
Criticisms were levelled at the X-type diesel at launch for only having a five-speed gearbox compared with a six-speed unit in the Mondeo, but it really doesn't impact on driving quality. Mid-range acceleration is strong and you rarely need to drop down a gear in order to keep pace with the traffic around you.
For long distance driving, there is not really a better companion in this price bracket. In SE spec as tested, the ride is very comfortable, although the smaller wheels fitted to our car did not fill out the arches very well. However, there is a simple choice: hard ride but bigger wheels on the Sport model or comfort but less good-looking alloys on the SE.
But now to the question that needs to be answered: is the X-type diesel better than BMW's class-leading 320d?
Well, yes and no (sorry). The Jaguar is more refined, more comfortable with lower emissions and better fuel economy. But the 320d is a better car to drive – it steers better, has greater road holding and the driver feels far more a part of the machine than in the Jaguar.
On badge appeal there is nothing between the two marques so it will all come down to personal choice.
Three rivals to consider
P11d price
BEING almost £1,000 less expensive on P11d price than the Jaguar, you would expect the Audi to be in bargain basement spec, but the opposite is true. While the three other rivals are in mid-spec SE trim the Audi is in range-topping Sport guise, meaning it comes with plenty of standard equipment. The BMW costs £5 more than the Jaguar while the Mercedes-Benz is easily the most expensive, creeping over the £23,000 barrier on P11d value.
Audi £21,860
Jaguar £22,815
BMW £22,820
Mercedes-Benz £23,020
SMR costs
STRANGELY, the car with the least generous warranty cover, the Audi, scores well in terms of servicing, maintenance and repair costs. The A4, costing 2.79ppm, has three year/60,000 mile cover while the Jaguar, C200 CDI and 320d, on 2.79ppm, 3.62ppm and 3.83ppm respectively, have three year/ unlimited mileage cover. However, SMR costs are the smallest sector in the wholelife costs picture.
Jaguar 2.79ppm
Audi 2.91ppm
Mercedes-Benz 3.62ppm
BMW 3.83ppm
Fuel costs
WITH the best performance in economy terms, it is no surprise the Audi wins on fuel costs. The A4 TDI returns 50.4mpg on the combined cycle, equating to 7.68ppm. Just a fraction of a penny behind in second place is the X-type on 7.69ppm, thanks to a strong showing in fuel economy (50.3mpg).
Also close behind is the BMW, which returns 49.6mpg (despite its 148bhp engine) while the C200 CDI comes last, returning 47.9mpg for a fuel cost of 8.08ppm.
Audi 7.68ppm
Jaguar 7.69ppm
BMW 7.80ppm
Mercedes-Benz 8.08ppm
Depreciation costs
THE Audi has the lowest residual value prediction from CAP of our quartet yet still comes out on top in depreciation terms. It is predicted to retain 37% of its cost new after three years/ 60,000 miles but its lower front end price results in less cash lost over the period. The Mercedes-Benz has the highest P11d price but the best RV prediction (40%), meaning it balances out on cash lost. The Jaguar, on 39%, and the BMW, on 38%, come third and fourth, costing 22.53ppm and 22.64ppm respectively.
Audi 21.23ppm
Mercedes-Benz 22.15ppm
Jaguar 22.53ppm
BMW 22.64ppm
Wholelife costs
A CLEAR victory for the Audi on wholelife costs thanks to strong performances in the fuel and depreciation sections. Over three years/60,000 miles it will cost 31.82ppm, putting clear ground between the Jaguar in second place on 33.01ppm. Third goes to the Mercedes-Benz on 33.85ppm, thanks mainly to a strong showing in depreciation costs, while the BMW finishes fourth on 34.27ppm. This demonstrates that low front-end pricing is a great head start in running costs.
Audi 31.82ppm
Jaguar 33.01ppm
Mercedes-Benz 33.85ppm
BMW 34.27ppm
Verdict
Refined, economical and competitive on wholelife costs – Jaguar's X-type diesel has, in Top of the Pops language, made a debut top 10 entry. The car is a match for the class-leading BMW in refinement terms, even though it is not as exciting to drive. The Audi wins because it is so much cheaper to buy and run, but the Jaguar is a credible and desirable small executive diesel car.
Fact file
Jaguar X-type 2.0D SE
Delivered price, standard car (P11D value) £22,815
CO2 emissions (g/km) 149
BIK % of P11D in 2003/04 18%
Graduated VED rate £115
Insurance group 13
Combined mpg 50.3
CAP Monitor residual value £8,850/39%
Depreciation 22.53 pence per mile x 60,000 £13,518
Maintenance 2.79 pence per mile x 60,000 £1,674
Fuel 7.69 pence per mile x 60,000 £4,614
Wholelife cost 33.01 pence per mile x 60,000 £19,806
Typical contract hire rate £465 per month
All figures based on 3yrs/60,000 miles. Monthly rental quote from HSBC Vehicle Finance At a glance
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