2005 Jaguar X-Type Estate Overview

Though it's hardly revolutionary, the tailgate design helps make the X-Type Estate a convincing design. The two-piece tailgate opens upwards like most modern

Not designed as a heavy hauler, the X-Type Estate does a good job optimizing the available space. (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

wagons or SUVs, for loading or unloading large-size objects, and also drops the rear glass separate of its metal surround for loading smaller items.

While the shape of the car isn't optimized for maximum volume, the X-Type Estate makes the most of its working space. The rear wheel wells do not interfere with the cargo area at all, and along the left and right walls of the trunk are closed bins to accommodate knick knacks and grubby items that you might not want touching the carpeted area of the trunk. Beneath the carpeted floor is additional stowage space, plus a 12-volt power socket. The rear bench does a standard 60/40 split and fold, but it doesn't lay completely flat. With the seat

The fact that the X-Type is based on Ford's Mondeo is easy to overlook in North America, thanks to all-wheel drive and larger V6 engines. (Photo: Jaguar Canada)

up, a maximum of 445 liters (15.7 cu ft) of cargo area is available, and with the seats down it jumps to 1,415 liters (50.0 cu ft) and a total of 500 kg (1,102 lbs) weight. While an efficient use of space, the taillights tend to eat into the width of the load area.

Since day one, Jaguar hasn't denied the fact that its X-Type shares its platform with Ford's Mondeo. For North America this is disguised by the fact that the car features all-wheel drive and larger V6 engines, plus the jurisdiction's last run-in with the Mondeo was in the days of the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique - way back in 1999.