A compact executive car, the Jaguar X-Type was in production between 2001 and 2009. The X-Type was the smallest in Jaguar’s model range and came in estate and saloon variants. It was also the first compact executive car from Jaguar since the Mark 1 was released in 1955. Wayne Burgess is noted to be the principal designer for the X-Type saloon though the vehicle was one of the last to be designed under the guidance of Geoff Lawson. The estate variant was designed by Ian Callum and was known officially as the Sportwagon in the US.

The X-Type received facelifts in 2004, 2006, and 2007, and the modifications were expected to continue until the 2010 model year. However, it was announced in 2009 that the X-Type will cease production. Before the shutdown, special editions of the X-Type were released. These were the Spirit limited edition and the XS limited edition. The Spirit limited edition featured rear valance and new spoilers with a 2.5 V6 engine, while the XS limited edition offered more engine options though the sports theme was continued.

Plans of reviving the Jaguar X-Type are a thing of the past but there are rumors that there is interest in creating a successor that would be able to take on the BMW 3 Series. Should this be true, it is unlikely that such a model will be released in time to be sold before 2014.