When it comes to choosing a practical and reliable family car, usually, you’d be heading straight towards the nearest, Audi, Mercedes or BMW dealership, without giving it a second thought. But, following Jaguar’s reveal of the new family-friendly XF Sportbrake, it could be time to think again.
Put simply, the XF Sportbrake is just a more attractive name for the XF estate, which sits alongside the XF saloon in the middle of the marque’s lineup, eyeing up cars like the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E –Class Estate. Nifty design touches, by Jag’s number one man Ian Callum (designer of the F-type, Aston Martin DB9 and Ford Escort Cosworth, to name but a few) mean the XF Sportbrake is actually the same length as its saloon sibling, despite its appearance.
For load-luggers, the XF Sportbrake has a 565 litres of boot space, which equates to precisely 2900 tennis balls, just to put things into perspective.
With elegant lines, sporting credentials and space for the dogs, children or both, orders for Jag’s new daddy waggon are now open
So, it’s practical – we get it – but what’s under the bonnet? Five engines will be offered, which splits up into four diesels and one petrol. To begin with, there’s a 2.0litre Ingenium diesel, producing 160bhp, while a 295bhp twin-turbo V6 diesel sits at the top end, for those looking for a 0-60mph time of a fraction over six seconds. Wait a little longer for something hotter, however, as it’s likely Jag will release an SVR or XF-S version down the line. Watch this space.
On the inside, it’s very much more of the same for those familiar with the XF Saloon. You can spec a 12.3-inch TFT instrument screen, a 10-inch infotainment screen in the middle with touch and swipe control – just like a smartphone – 20-way adjustable seats and a huge panoramic sunroof.
With prices starting from £35,000, the XF Sportbrake will be competitive with its main rivals from BMW, Audi and Mercedes. With elegant lines, sporting credentials and space for the dogs, children or both, orders for Jag’s new daddy waggon are now open, with deliveries commencing in the final quarter of the year.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
