- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.0DTT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
221kW, 700Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 5.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake review
Who needs an SUV when Jaguar's station wagon looks this good?
Think about it. Did we ever actually need SUVs? Or were we, the car-buying ‘sheeple’, exposed to a mass brainwashing program instigated by Machiavellian car companies, convincing us that high-riding, lolloping boxes were the answer to all motoring’s problems?
Conspiracy theories aside, it’s a question that at least needs pondering every time a well-sorted, sporty, handsome, practical wagon comes onto the market, doing everything an equivalent SUV can, and sometimes more.
A wagon like the Jaguar XF Sportbrake.
There’s an argument to be made that Jaguar didn’t have to build the car in the first place, having already bet the house on the F-Pace and the E-Pace. But apparently, not all of its customers enjoy the elevated, snooty driving position of an SUV, and they say their dogs weren’t too keen on the high tailgate when getting in and out, either.
Huzzah, then, for prissy mutts, because the XF Sportbrake is a sign that the Germans won’t have it all their own way in the upmarket wagon niche.
It’s a truly dapper fellow, arguably the looker of its class. Unlike some modern cars, the XF’s lines are simple and unfussy. True, the fast-paced, swoopy roofline is a familiar design sleight of hand, but Jaguar has really pulled it off here, especially in the Firenze Red trim we drove during our test in Portugal’s Douro Valley.
As it must in order to challenge its premium rivals at Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Sportbrake walks the tightrope between style and pragmatism, aimed at the active modern family who’ll spend one weekend doing the Tough Mudder, the next squabbling in IKEA.
The boot offers 565 litres of space, and the split-folding rear seats lay dead flat to create an impressive 1700 litres, which Jaguar says is enough room to fit a golf bag and clubs laid width ways, or a large fridge-freezer. A self-levelling air suspension set-up allows towing loads of up to 2000kg, and the Sportbrake can also carry up to 100kg extra on its roof in a 320-litre luggage box that’s on the War And Peace-like options list.
Further forward, the car has a genuine Tardis-like feel. Despite the low-slung roofline, there’s ample headspace on the rear bench, even for six footers. Front passenger legroom is also impressive, almost making up for the cabin quality, which doesn’t feel quite as luxurious as those of its rivals. There’s no connectivity with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but the info system and sat-nav are intuitive and easy to use.
Australia gets three different engines when the XF Sportbrake launches here in November – a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel (132kW/430Nm; $90,400 plus on–road costs), a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol (184kW/365Nm; $91,400) and the 3.0-litre, V6 diesel (221kW/700Nm; $123,450).
The nonchalant manner in which it handles corners makes a mockery of its 4.95-metre length. A rejigged suspension system keeps the drive pleasingly stiff, but at no point does it feel like your spine has been abused with pickaxes, even after a full day’s driving.
We only tested the two most powerful engines, and unsurprisingly with 700Nm of twist, the V6 is the star of the show, even though it’s gruff on start up and at lower speeds. Those extra numbers are really noticeable as the speedometer climbs, where the 2.0-litre petrol rolls over and dies when asked for more. The V6, meanwhile, continues its surge to the horizon.
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As enjoyable as the XF Sportbrake is though, neither variant is ever going to make drivers squeal with delight. There’s always hint of conservatism to its performance, but overall it’ll be sporty – and practical – enough for most tastes, SUV-hating dogs and all.
Writer: Vince Jackson
2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake S 30d Price and Specifications
On sale: November 2017
Price: $123,450 plus on-road costs
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Power: 221kW
Torque: 700Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, RWD
Fuel use: 5.9L/100km combined
2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake R-Sport 25t Price and Specifications
On sale: November 2017
Price: $91,400 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 184kW
Torque: 365Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, RWD
Fuel use: 6.8L/100km combined