The Jaguar Sportbrake S, starting at an MSRP of $70,450, can quickly escalate in price with added features. My test model, boasting a $3,000 technology package, a $3,500 driver assistance package, and a $2,800 premium interior upgrade, reached a total of $84,245. This pricing places it in direct competition with the Mercedes E-Class wagon, like the model we recently tested at $89,860. When considering luxury interiors, Mercedes-Benz currently sets the gold standard. Arguably, only Rolls-Royce or Bentley surpasses Mercedes in interior refinement at this moment, placing them even ahead of Jaguar in this specific aspect.
However, when evaluating the current wagon offerings from manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW, Buick, Volkswagen, Subaru, Audi, and Volvo, the Jaguar Sportbrake distinguishes itself with a more engaging driving experience, primarily due to its potent and responsive engine. It truly embodies the essence of a sleeper car.
Walking away from the parked Sportbrake towards a restaurant, a second glance revealed its subtle charm. Bathed in the soft winter sunlight, its silver paint seamlessly blended it into the surrounding array of gray, black, white, and beige vehicles. It’s not that the Jaguar Xf Sportbrake Wagon lacks aesthetic appeal; it’s undeniably handsome. Rather, it consciously avoids the sharp angles and overtly aggressive styling cues commonly associated with “sporty” cars. This Jaguar embraces heroic understatement. Its design is so subtle that even I experienced a momentary delay in locating it upon my return, suggesting it would likely escape undue attention from law enforcement as well.
The beauty of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon lies in its deceptive nature. Beneath its composed exterior resides a thrilling supercharged engine, eager to unleash its power. Imagine effortlessly merging onto the highway, and then calmly stopping for pedestrians at a crosswalk, all while concealing the exhilarating performance you just experienced. There’s a unique and private satisfaction in possessing such a well-kept secret.
In contrast to the Volvo and Buick wagons I recently drove, which excelled in utility but offered a more subdued driving experience, the Jaguar Sportbrake appears engineered with a different priority. Its core focus seems to be the engine and the sheer joy of driving, with practicality taking a secondary role. It’s akin to an F-Type sports car cleverly disguised within the versatile body of a wagon. It feels as though Jaguar deliberately aimed to create the ultimate automotive sleeper in the Sportbrake.
Ultimately, while the Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon may not represent the absolute pinnacle of both worlds – ultimate practicality and unparalleled performance – it comes remarkably close, offering a compelling blend that is hard to ignore for driving enthusiasts seeking a wagon.
