More than anything, it's the interior of the Jaguar X-Type that has turned critics and consumers off, despite its luxurious appearance. Any car owner, but particularly luxury car owners, should be able to expect a comfortable and appealing environment from which to conduct the business of driving. On the surface, the X-Type delivers. But scratch that thin veneer of luxury, and it's easy to see why this is an entry-level Jaguar.

At least this 2005 iteration doesn't smell like a Ford inside, the way the last X-Type we drove did. But there are still quality issues that need to be addressed. Take, for instance, the glossy plastic bezels that surround the power window controls on the door panels. Scrape or tap your fingernail against that slippery plastic. It emits a thin, cheap sound that could be remedied by an inexpensive coat of matte-finish paint, the kind that Lexus douses upon Toyota Corolla parts to make them acceptable for use in the ES 330. (Or does Toyota affix cheap plastic to Lexus switchgear? It's difficult to tell.) Another example is the action of the turn signal and wiper stalks, which make a wet-sounding snap when used rather than a quiet, refined, fluid action. Hit the power door locks to enjoy a whirring symphony of mechanical parts rather than the solid and decisive thunk of most cars. Finally, the headliner and pillar trim is slightly fuzzy in a marketplace that has shifted to cleaner mesh materials.

As with any Jaguar, the layout and design of the X-Type's controls could be improved. Housed on a wide central panel trimmed in wood, the splattering of dashboard buttons appears daunting at first, arranged uniformly rather than grouped logically by function. Also odd is the location of the trip computer switchgear, placed on the lower panel to the left of the steering column. Fortunately, everything is clearly marked and it doesn't take long to acclimate to the design.

An adjustable armrest is built into the sliding center storage console lid. Storage underneath, however, is rather limited, a trade-off for big American-style cupholders that are placed to the right of the emergency brake. The X-Type's glovebox is a good size, and there are small storage slots in the front doors.

Size constraints aren't limited to storage areas. In general, the Jaguar X-Type's cabin feels snug and intimate. There's not much legroom front or rear because the interior envelops its occupants. Fortunately, the front seatbacks are softly padded to be kind to the knees that are likely to be smashed against them. Four adults of average height are more likely to be comfortable in this car - four adults measuring six-feet in height are not. But no matter what size the occupant, the comfort that exists is fleeting. The seats are very firm and reasonably supportive, but a Jaguar should have soft seats that coddle occupants. And once you achieve a proper driving position, don't lose it - regaining the right settings is not easy. Households with multiple drivers should strongly consider the Premium package of options, which includes a handy memory feature.

For the X-Type 3.0 Sportwagon, Jaguar worked hard to eliminate the road and exhaust noise that is common in vehicles with open cargo areas, and it has succeeded. The Sportwagon is, to our ears, quieter than the sedan, though when traveling uphill engine drone is still significant.