FOR years, Jaguar has been firmly off limits for family motorists. If you wanted that dynamic leaping cat logo, it would either have to be on a saloon or sports car – neither of them likely to endear you to a tribe anxious to cram a car with camping or leisure equipment.

Then along came the estate version of the X-Type; capacious and capable, but hardly the world’s most dynamically-styled car.

Now there is the XF Sportbrake, an altogether larger, leather-trimmed, air conditioned load-lugger that would give any estate car a run for its money in carrying capacity, and blows most of them out of the water for pure head-turning looks.

Long and seductively sleek, with all the muscular elegance and luxury of the saloon, it crucially retains its dynamic handling and sheer driveability.

Everything about the Sportbrake is designed to make life easier for the driver, and more comfortable for the passengers, ensuring that, even on day trips in excess of 300 miles, everyone emerges fresh and relaxed.

All versions are fitted as standard with self-levelling air suspension at the rear to replace the coil springs fitted to the saloon, giving a smooth ride and sharp handling, while keeping the car level even when fully loaded.

Safety features include adaptive front lighting, which deflects headlamp beams into corners, while headlamps automatically switch between low and high beam.

Adaptive cruise control enables the XF Sportbrake to monitor vehicles around it, automatically braking should a slower vehicle be ahead, then resuming the preset speed once the road is clear.

Operating in conjunction with the cruise control system is an emergency brake system that, in the event of detecting the necessity for a severe stop, applies maximum braking force.

The Sportbrake is all about space, but the increased carrying capacity also improves life for passengers, as the extended roofline gives more headroom to those in the rear seat.

Remote-fold levers inside the load-space opening allow the split-fold rear seats to be stowed flat quickly and easily, creating a cargo volume of up to 1,675 litres.

Acknowledging that the XF Sportbrake is likely to be used primarily as a long-distance hauler, power comes exclusively from Jaguar’s diesel engines, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The 200 horsepower, 2.2-litre engine fitted to the test car used a stop-start system, making it the company’s most efficient powertrain to date. The alternative 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 is available in two states of tune, with 275 horsepower in the range-topping Diesel S.

Luxury touches inside range from a 12-speaker Meridian audio system and a powered tailgate, to colour satellite navigation, and front seats that are both heated and cooled.

Now you can have a car that effortlessly combines coping with anything a family throws at it, huge grand touring ability and a stylish presence.

Truly the best of all possible worlds.

Auto facts Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2.2 Diesel Portfolio

 

  • Price: £44,690
  • Insurance group: 40 (1-50)
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 55.4mpg
  • Top speed: 134mph
  • Length: 496.6cm/195.5in
  • Width: 187.7cm/74in
  • Luggage capacity: 17.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 15.4 gallons/70.1 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 139g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/unlimited mileage