The standard seats are quite good, supportive and comfortable, and they can be adjusted every which way. Aggressive side bolstering is added with the Sport package, which is appropriate for more aggressive driving. Side bolstering requires more effort when getting in and out of the seat, however, so the Sport package is best left for those who love spirited roadwork. We had no trouble flinging the car around with the standard seats.

The cabin has a spacious feel with outward visibility enhanced by the slimness of the pillars. With the elevation of the driver's seat easily adjustable, drivers of varying heights have an excellent forward view over the hood. The rearview mirrors are particularly generous in size. I like this large exposure aft ward, but at city intersections the mirror can hide a pedestrian stepping down from a curb. Diligence and a little head movement are called for. All the switchgear operates intuitively. Only one cup holder is provided, however. Lots of stowage adds to the convenience, but the center console is small.

In addition to dual-stage frontal airbags, the X-Type features front and rear side curtain airbags, the first Jaguar to do so. In the vernacular one might say that "Jaguar intenders skew heavily female." That means the woman buyer figured early in planning the ergonomics of the X-Type. Not that there is any evident "feminization" but rather such things as placing all the controls within easy reach and providing a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, allowing her to adjust perfectly to the car. Many different body types will find a comfortable home in the X-Type. There's plenty of headroom unless you're wearing a helmet in a car equipped with the sunroof.

The design of the X-Type isn't all about style, either. The trunk is big, something that can't be said for all Jaguars. With 16 cubic feet of trunk space, the X-Type can carry more cargo than the big XJ sedan. The X-Type's boot is comparable to the impressive trunk on the Audi A4 and vastly superior to the trunk on the BMW 3 Series. Pull one or both of the small handles in the trunk and you can flip the rear seats down for carrying longer items. That makes this a practical Jaguar.

The optional navigation system did a great job of locating our destination after we had to detour to avoid an accident. To reduce the chance of driver distraction, destinations cannot be programmed while underway.