2018 Jaguar XF S Sportbrake review

Car shopping is the ultimate process of refinement – though not always through the right steps. Buyers often start with a brand they like or a cool vehicle they’ve seen through advertisements or in a parking lot. If a friend or family member owns the model in question, they can be polled for feedback. Then follows some online research, a dealer visit, and a purchase. Sometimes, this procedure can yield the right car for a given owner. These days, it often leads to an SUV or a crossover when many motorists really belong in a wagon.

With better fuel economy, a more comfortable ride, better handling, and similar cargo capacity, wagons shouldn’t be overlooked in the age of SUVs. Thankfully, automakers are once again producing great wagons (some never stopped), giving consumers compelling reasons to make the switch.

Within the luxury sector, Mercedes-Benz has held down the long-roofed fort with its E400 4Matic+ Wagon ($63,050), but Porsche’s Panamera 4 Sport Turismo ($96,200) and Jaguar’s XF S Sportbrake ($70,450) came to play. We’ve spent some time in the hottest version of Porsche’s wagon and Mercedes-AMG’s family hauler, but this is our first crack at Jaguar’s one-size-fits-all wagon.

The Sportbrake isn’t just cool to car people. Of all the folks who ogled the Jag wagon while we held the keys (and there were many), only a couple drove what we’d consider enthusiast vehicles. More often, someone would roll down the window to their Ford Fusion or pause on the way back to their Lexus RX to dish a compliment to the Sportbrake. It makes sense; this wagon deserves attention.

Interior and tech

Jaguar’s interior design has its strengths and weaknesses. Clean lines and uncluttered surfaces make for an elegant dashboard. There’s leather where we want it (on the steering wheel, seats, center console, and door armrests), a full-length panoramic glass roof, and a microfiber suede headliner. Alas, the overall experience is “premium-lite” (and you can’t pay to upgrade this service).

Our biggest concern is the fit and finish of the cabin materials. The perforated leather seats aren’t molded into a welcoming design, the trim pieces feel sub-standard for a $70,000 luxury car, and, apart from the trick gear selector and air vents that “wake” upon startup, we’re missing any real “dazzle” to match the car’s provocative silhouette.

Technology, too, is a mixed bag. Jaguar’s 12.3-inch digital driver display and 10-inch infotainment system provide clear visuals and extensive customization, but the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a big whiff in 2018 (for any segment of the market). The InControl Touch Pro module features a tiled design to shortcut common functions like audio, navigation, climate control, and Bluetooth calling. Other settings require a little more legwork, and the system’s delayed response to inputs can get frustrating. We can’t claim to prefer Mercedes-Benz’s confusing Comand infotainment, but Porsche’s slick system is more intuitive and faster than Jag’s setup. Audi’s MMI Touch Response is, too.

The mix of controls on the steering wheel, center stack, and touchscreen suit driver preferences, and an available head-up display helps reduce distraction. Standard driver aids include blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, front and rear parking sensors, and lane keeping assist as standard. An optional driver assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, traffic sign recognition, and parking assistance.

Convenience highlights include available heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, four-zone climate control, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an 825-watter Meridian surround sound system. Passenger space is excellent, with full-size adults fitting comfortably on the rear bench. Though the glass roof can’t be opened like a traditional sunroof, the added light improves cabin ambiance. With the rear seats in place, Jaguar’s XF Sportbrake affords 32 cubic feet of space, second only to the E400 Wagon (35 cu. ft.) in the premium wagon segment. With the rear seats folded, its total 70 cu. ft. is best-in-class.

Driving experience

Performance SUVs are forced to defy the physics of their high centers of gravity, but a wagon must only manage its additional mass. If Jaguar can make the F-Pace handle gracefully, then the sedan-height Sportbrake should be nothing short of brilliant in a corner.

Indeed it is. Jaguar’s rear-biased all-wheel drive system and fine-tuned chassis are more than a match for the XF wagon’s 275 extra pounds compared to the sedan. The Sportbrake predictably and confidently claws its way around corners while the electronic steering system does an excellent impression of unassisted feedback. Turn in is sharp and steering weight — while heftier than both the Panamera and E400 — is never anchored.

Once the Jag sees corner exit, its 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gets busy sending 380 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque to the four wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Whether in drive or sport mode, the Sportbrake doesn’t hold back its aggression, though sport tees up the transmission and throttle for urgency. Alternatively, an eco mode deflates throttle response and nudges the transmission to a higher gear in an effort to save fuel.

Jaguar’s has used ZF’s eight-speed unit for a number of years now, and while it’s still a solid gearbox (especially in full automatic mode), it’s beginning to show some age. Manual shifts of the steering wheel-mounted paddles take that extra fraction of a second to register compared to the latest units from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. It’s a subtle distinction, but one that encourages us to leave the shifting to the computer.

When the pace slows, the XF S Sportbrake affords luxury-grade ride smoothness with the help of its adaptive suspension dampers. Even with dynamic drive mode engaged, Jag’s wagon keeps the cabin free of jarring movements from bumps and potholes. No amount of casual motoring will save owners from the Sportbrake’s thirsty motor, however. Despite its modest weight gain, the wagon loses two combined mpg to the XF sedan, for a 21 mpg average. City and highway ratings are 18 and 25 mpg, respectively. Mercedes-Benz’s E400 Wagon doesn’t see a higher combined estimate than the Jag, but Porsche’s Panamera 4 Sport Turismo bests its rivals by two mpg.

Warranty

Jaguar’s warranty coverage is generous by all measures. While Mercedes-Benz and Porsche only offer four years or 50,000 miles of limited protection (without free scheduled maintenance), Jaguar covers its owners for five years or 60,000 miles and includes scheduled maintenance for the entire term. Jag extends its powertrain warranty a year beyond its competitors as well. Historically, Jaguar vehicles are something of a joke in terms of reliability, and though predicted reliability is far higher than ever before, German luxury brands consistently score better on reliability tests.

How DT would configure this car

Customizing our ideal XF Sportbrake is a fairly streamlined process given the car’s single powertrain, drivetrain, and transmission configuration. The Firenze red of our tester certainly pops, but we prefer the caesium blue ($565) on gloss black painted 20-inch split-spoke wheels ($1,020) with the black exterior trim pack ($360). Inside, the dark brown (brogue) leather would pair best with grey figured ebony trim. We’d tack on a few convenience goodies too. The comfort and convenience package ($1,805) brings with it heated a cooled front seats and soft-close doors. The aforementioned driver assistance kit ($3,495) is a must, as is the technology package’s ($3,265) Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, digital instrument cluster, and upgraded sound system.

Our Take

Thank goodness Jaguar builds this car. The XF S Sportbrake is practical, striking, and engaging – all words that describe the company’s compact SUV, but carry deeper meaning for its midsize wagon. A lofty price tag puts the Sportbrake out of reach for some shoppers, but those who can plop down $70,000 will get one of the most practical conversation pieces you can buy today. Let wagons back into your hearts, people!

If not for the Jag wagon’s strong competitors, we’d probably overlook its luxury missteps in awe of its style and speed. However, both the Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo and Mercedes-Benz E400 Wagon offer more sumptuous cabins and tactile quality. The Porsche’s sky-high price tag will put it out of the running for most, but the Mercedes-Benz’s lower starting figure (before the options list runs rampant) makes for an attractive buy. One shouldn’t overlook Jaguar’s free scheduled maintenance (worth at least a grand or two after five years), but the Mercedes is less likely to encounter as many issues in the long run.

Should you get one?

For the money, Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class Wagon is a better buy (but we might just ignore logic and take the Jag).