by Michelle M. Czarka

Like the X-TYPE sedan, the X-TYPE Sportwagon is engineered to deliver a supple ride with maximum control and sporting dynamics, including exceptional steering. Most aspects of the Sportwagon’s suspension and electronic control systems have been tuned to its specific needs, but essentially the layout is unchanged from the sedan. Its very compact packaging makes almost no intrusion into the sides of the new load area, and allows an impressively low trunk floor, for easy loading and maximum luggage volume.

The Sportwagon’s power-assisted rack and pinion system provides stability at any speed even with full cargo load and maintains the comfort and strong response that Jaguar vehicles have come to symbolize. As I cruised the back roads of the Santa Rosa mountains, the Sportwagon’s precise steering made the curvy roads as navigatable as straightaways.

“The area of sport wagons is not one in which Jaguar has previously competed – largely because this class of vehicle didn’t sit well with the marque’s core values of exceptional refinement and a sporting drive,” explained O’Donnell. “But the X-TYPE, with its Traction-4™ all-wheel-drive system and exceptional structural rigidity, has been developed into an exceptional premium sport wagon incorporating all the values for which the marque is renowned.”

The impressive 227 hp V6 engine is the most powerful ever offered in the X-Type line and is paired with the Traction-4™ all-wheel-drive system. And while its growls with power, the efficiency is competitive in both fuel consumption and emissions.

The compact and durable yet sophisticated all-wheel-drive system gives sure-footed handling at all speeds and in all weather conditions while retaining the positive feedback and precise steering feel that are fundamental to Jaguar driving dynamics.

The standard electronic five-speed automatic transmission gives optimum fuel efficiency as well as punchy acceleration and refined highway cruising. It is controlled by the latest version of Jaguar’s traditional J-gate gear selector, which offers manual control of the automatic transmission for those drivers who prefer to have greater control. When used in the normal ‘D’ automatic position, two selectable shift modes, Normal or Sport, modify the way the transmission changes ratios to complement different driving styles.

Alongside all these comfort and convenience features, the X-TYPE Sportwagon has the high levels of both active and passive safety Jaguar buyers expect. Active safety begins with an extremely strong bodyshell, energy-absorbing impact zones and class-leading chassis dynamics, including Traction-4™ all-wheel drive.

The X-TYPE also has a comprehensive passive safety package that includes occupancy-sensing restraint systems, adaptive dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, knee bolster airbag, side-curtain airbags - for both front and rear occupants.

Front seat belts have pre-tensioning and load-limiting functions, and the rear seats offer three three-point belts and adjustable head restraints. Also for the X-TYPE Sportwagon, rear seat mountings and release catch strength are designed to exceed all legislative requirements on luggage retention in case of an accident. Even the vertical luggage net of the load cover system is designed to keep the back of the X-TYPE Sportwagon safe as well as tidy, and it meets all requirements for luggage-retention performance.