I HAD a chance briefly to drive this for the first time last week: the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. That’s a Jaguar estate to most of us.
But what a rather lovely car this is.
Elegant and refined, the quality of ride is immaculate, as you would expect of a Jaguar, but perhaps not of an estate car.
The diesel engine is swift too, the 200PS version of the 2.2 diesel having plenty of urgency low down, while the eight speed gearbox shifts gears oh-so-imperceptibly.
The engine is less good when you push it too hard when it gets too vocal in a rather non-Jaguar way.
But overall, what a polished car.
This Jaguar XF Sportbrake was the Portfolio version, so it was wonderfully plush, including leather seats with contrasting cream piping. Very Jaguar.
Cost of this car is £44,690, while CO2 emissions are 139g/km – the same as the saloon. For company car drivers, that’s a lowly benefit in kind company car tax band of 22% for the 2013/14 tax year.
As Jon Wackett, JLR’s corporate sales supremo beamed at me as I got into the leather bound driver’s seat, “I don’t have to remind myself what a great job I have when I get the choice of cars such as this!”
No kidding Jon. It’s some sweety shop to choose from!
Read our car review of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake: First company car review of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake
