2018 Jaguar XF Sportbrake S 30d quick review

If you expect the XF Sportbrake to be a comfortable and super-stylish wagon, you’re going to be fine. But if you want something that’ll get your heart pumping? Hmmm.

Let’s start with the engine. A 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 in the snout sounds good until you remember it’s a diesel, and that it only pumps out 221kW. And it redlines just short of 4500rpm.

Okay, it’s got 700Nm and will get along just fine, hitting 100km/h in a claimed 6.6sec, but you won’t be pushed back into your comfortable leather seat.

It’s also worth playing with the paddles, as the Jag’s auto can be a little unpredictable when left to its own devices.

If you do want to take it out for a drive, you’ve got to be mindful of its weight. Its standard tyres can also struggle in the wet and it rides on 20-inch alloys which can make the otherwise comfortable ride quite brittle.

It looks great – there’s a general consensus among staff here that it looks better than the XF sedan – However, the F-Pace is cheaper by $20K, faster to 100km/h by 1.1s, only heavier by about 6kg, shares the same platform, and has a livelier supercharged petrol V6.

Should you choose the SUV instead? That’s up to you.

2018 JAGUAR XF SPORTBRAKE S 30D SPECS:

Engine: 3-litre, V6 turbodiesel
Power: 221kW @ 4000rpm
Torque: 700Nm @ 2000rpm
Weight: 1855kg
Price: $123,450