I have an 04 2.5crdi XS Auto and use it to pull a Bailey Pageant Bretagne,just been down to south wales and averaged 19mpg,Fantastic for towing hardly feel the van even in high winds,the auto makes it a very relaxing drive too,on the question of extra cooling there is an gearbox oil cooler fitted as standard(its just to one side of engine rad)self levelling suspension and a limited slip diff for serious off roading if you want to,OH has got her eye on it now so it must be good!!
We have the XS manual, our friends have the XE automatic, we both love our own cars. We recently went on holiday to France together and the fuel consumption was the same for both. It is personal preference which one you have. Ideally we wanted an automatic this time, we are both on our 2nd sorentos, but couldn't get the same deal on auto.