Jaguar is a car maker on the up in 2008. The Jaguar XF has been launched to critical acclaim, sales are up and now the 'baby' Jag has been given a fresh new look.

It’s a company oozing with confidence under its new owners, Tata Motors of India and that's reflected in its new-for-2008 Jaguar X-Type saloon and estate.

The Jaguar X-Type is a car which the Midlands-based manufacturer says is high on luxury and style but low on price.

To find out if the facelifted '2009 model year' Jaguar X-Type can stake a claim to be a budget Big Cat without losing its luxury feel, we sent Stuart Milne to the winding roads around Belfast.

View more images of the 2009 Jaguar X-Type

The Jaguar X-Type has been a strong seller for the Midlands-based manufacturer since it went on sale in 2001.

And 2008 sees the Mondeo-sized saloon and estate go under the knife to bring it more in line with the funky new XF executive saloon.

The most noticeable change to the Jaguar X-Type is at the front. A new grille with Jaguar's new 'growler' badge represents the second implementation of the company's new corporate face, premiered on the XF.

The front bumper echoes Jaguar's flagship XJ saloon and has been stripped of its chrome corner strips, while a shiny new chrome 'blade' stretches across the lower bumper. Jaguar's designers say this simple styling cue makes the car appear wider than it actually is.

And the rear also has a new chrome strip which runs almost the entire length of the car across the leading edge of the boot like the rest of Jaguar's range.

There are plenty of other subtle differences, such as chromed Jaguar logos on the front wings which blend in to a pair of rubbing strips which Jaguar has lowered to give the X-Type a sportier stance.

Classy cabin

Inside, the Jaguar X-Type has improved seats – addressed as part of on-going customer feedback – which are extremely comfortable. And the dark tan and diamond-stitched 'Spice' leather trim fitted to our test car looked wonderful, especially with contrasting carbon-fibre dashboard trim.

Jaguar offers a wide range of interior trims, including a new rosewood veneer, but unlike many of its competitors the wood and carbon fibre trims are the real deal – there's no fake goods here, and it shows.

The Jaguar X-Type does what few of its rivals can – make the driver feel special, with every drive an occasion with the quality of the materials and fit-and-finish.

It’s a roomy car in the front, but space – particularly headroom – in the rear is slightly more limited. And it’s a similar mild frustration in the boot, which although a spacious 452 litres with a big bootlid offering more access than some other saloons, has the light clusters encroaching, which could make loading bulky objects tricky.

However, those seeking more space should take a look at the estate version.

Our test car was also fitted with three fold out and removable plastic storage boxes, which prevent luggage sliding in a half-filled boot.

More than 500 changes

Jaguar says it has made more than 500 changes to the 2009 X-Type. But one of the most significant is a new automatic gearbox which is exclusively available with the 2.2-litre diesel engine.

The new auto can achieve maximum pulling power in all of its six gears, while the manual version can only do this in second to sixth gears. This improves performance, although its 9.5 second 0-60mph time and 129mph top speed gives away 0.8 seconds and 5mph to the manual.

It also has a sport mode which speeds up the gearchanges and a semi-automatic mode.

Emissions of 184g/km place the 2.2 auto into tax band E, which currently costs £170 a year. The auto 'box substantially increases emission over the manual version's competitive 159g/km which costs £145 a year. The 2-litre diesel is worthy of note here, because with emissions of 149g/km it falls into the £120 band C.

Other engine choices include a 2-litre diesel and a 3-litre V6 petrol, which offer a choice of frugality or performance.

On the road, the Jaguar X-Type's 2.2-litre diesel offered a decent punch, although it feels noticeably less powerful than the BMW 320i. But this adequate, if not rapid, pace seems to suit the X-Type's relaxed cruising nature.

This is something which is echoes in the way it drives too. It rides bumps superbly, even on big 18-inch wheels and feels agile and alert through bends but remains composed regardless of the speed, road surface or tightness of corner.

Huge value for money

Value for money isn't something usually associated with a luxury car maker, but considering its £21,000 starting price, it is very well equipped. In fact, Jaguar claims it’s up to a massive £6,665 cheaper than some of its rivals when the price is adjusted to reflect the level of equipment.

Standard equipment on the entry-level S trim includes automatic headlamps and wipers, heated electric mirrors, heated windscreen, 17-inch alloys, half leather seats, cruise control, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and front and rear electric windows.

The SE adds touch screen sat-nav, electrically-folding mirrors, front and rear park sensors and heated front seats. Move up to the Sport Premium model we tested and a rear spoiler, 18-inch alloys, electrically-adjustable leather seats and carbon fibre veneer trim.

The range-topping Sovereign adds standard metallic paint, burr walnut veneer trims for the dash and steering wheel, JaguarVoice voice-operated control for the audio, climate control, Bluetooth and sat-nav systems; a boot-mounted six-CD changer and Jaguar's ten-speaker, 320-watt Premium Sound System.

The Jaguar X-Type certainly has the X-factor. It might not have the driving polish of the best in class, but when it comes to making every journey an occasion, this Big Cat has its rivals licked.

View more images of the 2009 Jaguar X-Type

Check out some driving footage of the Jaguar X-Type by clicking below. (Video has no sound)