JAGUAR XF SPORTBRAKE 2.0 P250 R-Dynamic SE Black 5dr Auto

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake estate gets a final upgrade and now appears great value. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is an executive-segment estate that in its final form offers a 5 Series Touring/E-Class Estate rival for 3 Series Touring/C-Class pricing. In this improved form, there are sharper looks and high equipment levels. In addition, as before, this Sportbrake variant offers a 1,700-litre load space and can tow up to two tonnes, plus there's the option of AWD. But it won't be around for much longer.

Background

You don't associate Jaguar with estate cars. Which if you think about it is a little strange. The British have, after all, always liked them, whether as family load luggers or as stately 'shooting brake'-type designs. Even so, throughout its history, the Coventry brand has stuck to roots that lie in the production of saloons and sportscars. True, we did finally see an estate version of the compact X-Type in 2004, but even that was half-heartedly based on a Ford Mondeo and quickly forgotten when that smallest Jaguar model was quietly deleted from the range in 2010. Would this famous marque ever develop a proper estate model on its own purpose-built platform? That question was finally answered late in 2012 with the launch of this car, the XF Sportbrake. That estate body shape continued to sell, even after the launch of the second generation XF saloon in 2015. There was a light update in the Autumn of 2020, then a final upgrade in 2024 to create the model we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

As you'd expect, mechanically, the Sportbrake offers up much the same recipe as you'd find in its saloon counterpart, though in this case, there's the addition of self-levelling rear suspension to ensure an effortless ride, even when towing loads that can be as heavy as 2,000kg. The XF range hinges around a 2.0-litre diesel four-cylinder engine and while that doesn't sound too exciting, it's where the big sales are. It now comes in a single 204PS D200 state of tune, only in rear wheel drive and features the brand's latest MHEV mild hybrid engine tech, which can assist the engine under acceleration. As a result, this rear-driven model gets to 60mph in 7.3s. The conventional petrol options continue much as before, 250 or 300PS versions of Jaguar's usual 2.0-litre Ingenium unit in the P250 (RWD) and P300 (AWD) variants. Both feature the engine technologies including a twin scroll turbocharger and Continuous Variable Valve Lift (CVVL), for a strong combination of refined performance and efficiency. The P250 makes 60mph in 6.7s, while the P300 AWD variant mamnages the same sprint in 5.9s. All engines are paired with Jaguar's eight-speed automatic gearbox, which can be controlled using the steering wheel shift paddles for added driver engagement. Across the XF range, driving dynamics suit a relaxed but purposeful style. four driving modes: There are four driving modes; Eco, Comfort, Sport and Rain and Snow. The chassis delivers near perfect 50:50 weight distribution and huge strides have been made to perfect refinement. Ride is another class-leading XF quality. This Jaguar shares its suspension set-up with the smaller XE model, which means struts with double wishbones at the front and an 'integral link' independent set-up at the rear. The steering uses the same electric power-assisted set-up as the Jaguar F-Type and XE, while active dampers are on the options list.

Design and Build

The XF has always been widely acknowledged as one of the cleanest pieces of styling in its class. In this finally updated form, it gets slimmer front and rear lights, a redesigned front bumper and smarter alloy wheel designs. Otherwise, things are as before. The rear glasshouse is artfully integrated into the car's existing chassis hard points, with a genuinely sleek roofline which arches over the rear quarter-lights. The window line tapers gracefully as the flanks meet the rear glass area with its continuous wrap-around curve. The one-piece tailgate incorporates a rear spoiler with integrated high-level stop light and a chrome blade finisher. The rear of the XF Sportbrake also sports full LED tail lights. There are no significant changes inside, so as before there's a centre console that sweeps up to a centrally-mounted 11.4-inch curved-glass HD touchscreen for the 'Pivi Pro' infotainment system, which of course has wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring and embedded dual-sim technology with over-the-air updates. The seats come with wide cushioning and a Jaguar Leaper embossed on the headrests. Through the wheel, the driver views a 12.3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display that replaces the conventional dials. The XF Sportbrake's load space features a 565-litre boot and 1,700-litres of cargo capacity when all the seats are folded down. You also get under floor stowage and of course a 60:40 split rear seat. Cabin Air Ionisation gives you and your family clean air and an optional super-sized panoramic roof floods the interior with light.

Market and Model

XF Sportback prices run from around £41,000 to just under £50,000. There's a premium of around £2,000 over the XF Saloon. In essence here, you're getting a larger Executive segment 5 Series Touring/E-Class Estate-sector model for the price of a smaller 3 Series Touring/C-Class Estate one; that's very good value indeed. There are no paltry specification levels either - only 'R-Dynamic SE Black', 'R-Dynamic HSE Black' and '300 Sport'. As for equipment, well key here is the introduction in recent years of a standard 11.4-inch 'Pivi Pro' centre-dash infotainment screen, which incorporates two LTE modems enabling the system to carry out multiple functions at the same time, such as streaming media and downloading SOTA updates, without compromising performance. You also get a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle screen which can show full-screen mapping. And another screen can be activated via Jaguar's 'ClearSight' interior rear view mirror which gives the driver an unobstructed view of the road behind. Using a wide angle rear-facing camera, the optional system feeds images to a high-definition screen within the frameless rear view mirror; unhindered by tall rear passengers, poor light or rain on the rear screen. The headlights can be specified with Pixel LED technology and Adaptive Driving Beam capability so that they alter their range to fit with road conditions and surrounding traffic. You can also now specify a Cabin air ionisation system that improves interior air quality through Nanoe technolgy, which helps remove allergens and unpleasant odours. Safety technology includes 'Forward Traffic Detection' which alerts you at times of reduced visbility when something is crossing your path up-front. And 'Forward Vehicle Guidance' which helps you place the car in low speed parking manoevres.

Cost of Ownership

As before, it helps the XF Sportbrake's cause that it's relatively light weight, thanks to the fact that so much of the structure of the car (75%) is fashioned from aluminium. The core 204PS 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine features mild hybrid tech, which uses a Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) situated in the engine bay to harvest energy usually lost when slowing and braking, which is then stored in a 48V lithium-ion battery located beneath the rear loadspace. It is able to redeploy the stored energy to assist the engine when accelerating away while also delivering a more refined and responsive stop/start system. What about the WLTP-rated results of all this? Well, you're looking at 51.8mpg on the combined cycle and 143g/km of CO2, which isn't particularly class competitive. The petrol variants do without the MHEV tech - and it shows a bit. The P250 RWD version delivers 34.2mpg on the combined cycle and 188g/km of CO2. The 300 Sport version delivers 32.0mpg on the combined cycle and 202g/km of CO2. What else? You get the usual unremarkable three year warranty. And service intervals are set at 21,000miles or every 24 months, whichever comes first and it would be sensible to consider one of Jaguar's Service Plans that cover you for virtually everything in advance. There's a 'Standard Mileage Service Plan' that covers you for five years/50,000 miles. Or a 'High Mileage Service Plan' that covers five years/75,000 miles.

Summary

Light, spacious, good looking and efficient, the XF ought to have worried rival German makers more than it ever did and is probably at its best in Sportbrake form. Are there issues? A few. The range of engine variants on offer isn't as wide as you'll find elsewhere. And it's a pity that the mild hybrid tech was never extended to the Ingenium petrol engines. We wish there'd been a six cylinder powerplant option too. But you can forgive all that - and perhaps the age of this design - in view of the exceptional value proposition it now offers. The XF Sportbrake is a notably more prestigious thing than the 3 Series/C-Class/A5 estates it's now priced against. And it'll better get the goods in at IKEA, give the Labrador some breathing space and more easily suit the annual skiing trip to Chamonix. On paper, this car's Teutonic rivals might seem more impressive. But it's easy to be impressed by something without necessarily liking it very much. An XF Sportbrake might not have the last enth of efficiency you'd find in a premium German-badged estate of this sort. But it might still just be the car you'd rather have on your driveway.

Body Glass

Rear wash/wipe

Acoustic windscreen

Electric windows with one touch open/close and anti trap

Privacy glass

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Heat insulated glass

Heated front windscreen + heated washer jets

Brakes

Hill launch assist

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

355mm front brakes and 325mm rear brakes

All surface progress control (ASPC)

Brake pad warning light

Emergency brake assist

Electronic parking brake

Anti-lock Brake System + Emergency Brake Assist

Traction control

Torque vectoring brake

Carpets/Rugs

Premium carpet mats

Communication

Apple car play

Android Auto

Bluetooth connectivity

Driver Aids

Rear collision monitor

Lane keep assist includes oncoming vehicle detection and edge detection

JaguarDrive control

Blind spot assist

Rear traffic monitor

Adaptive cruise control

Front and rear parking aid

Electric power assisted steering

Traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter

Speed proportional steering

Driver Convenience

Power tailgate/boot lid

Push button starter

Driver Information

Front animated directional indicators

Pivi pro connected navigation system with 11.4" touch screen

Emergency call service

Service interval indicator

Trip computer

Outside temperature gauge

Driver condition monitor

Driving Mirrors

Electric heated/power fold memory door mirrors with approach lights and auto dimming driver side

Frameless auto dimming interior rear view mirror

Entertainment

DAB Radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

USB and auxiliary socket

Remote app

Exterior Body Features

Rear side wing doors

Body coloured roof

Front bumper's lower chin and rear lower bumper is finished in gloss black

R Dynamic badge

Jaguar script and leaper

Tailgate/boot lid spoiler

Body colour door handles

Black lower front bumper hoops

Exterior Lights

Third brake light

Automatic headlights

LED tail lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

2nd row air vents

Interior Features

Leather steering wheel

Rear armrest with twin cupholders

Front door and rear door storage space

R-Dynamic branded leather steering wheel

Overhead stowage for sunglasses

Interior front door handles with separate locking switches

Centre armrest console

Bright metal foot pedals

12V accessory sockets - front and rear

Twin front cupholders

Front armrest

Interior Lights

Configurable cabin lighting

Packs

Online pack with data plan - XF

Safety

Front airbags with passenger seat occupant detector

Front side airbags

Three 3 point rear seatbelts

Seatbelt warning

Full length side window curtain airbag

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Power operated child locks

Pedestrian contact sensing

Seats

Passive front head restraints

ISOFIX on outer rear seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

3 rear seat head restraints

Single front passenger seat

Security

Perimeter alarm

Keyless entry

Remote central locking with deadlocks and drive away locking

Locking wheel nuts

Immobiliser

Towing

Trailer stability assist

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 188

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 196

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 188

Engine and Drive Train

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

CC: 1998

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.3

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 83

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 34.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 34.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 33

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.2

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8.6

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 36E

Service Interval Mileage: 21000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 105000

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: 120

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 250

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 3

Coin Series: R-Dynamic SE Black

Coin Description: P250

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Performance

Top Speed: 150

Engine Power - BHP: 250

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.1

Engine Power - KW: 184

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 269

Engine Torque - NM: 365

Engine Torque - RPM: 1300

Engine Torque - MKG: 37.2

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Spare: N

Wheel Style: STYLE 7013

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 245/40 R19

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2089

Height: 1494

Wheelbase: 2960

Width: 1890

Length: 4964

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2330

Minimum Kerbweight: 1726

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 74

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1900

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 604

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 582

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.02

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1361

Max. Roof Load: 100

Body Glass

Solar attenuating windscreen

Brakes

Red brake calipers

Chassis/Suspension

Configurable dynamics

Adaptive dynamics

Communication

Wireless device charging with phone signal booster

Wi-Fi Enabled with data plan

Driver Aids

3D surround camera

Driver Convenience

Garage door opener (Homelink)

Driver Information

Interactive driver display digital with 12" TFT display

Head up Display

Embellishment Trims

Satin charcoal ash veneer

Entertainment

Meridian 650W surround sound audio system with 17 speakers, subwoofer and active road noise cancellation

Exterior Body Features

Fixed panoramic glass sunroof

Premium metallic paint

Metallic paint

Illuminated metal tread plates with Jaguar script

Exterior Lights

Headlight power wash

Pixel LED headlights with signature DRL

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Cabin pre-conditioning

Air quality sensor

Four zone climate control

Cabin air ionisation with PM2.5 filter

Interior Features

Electrically adjustable steering column

Extended leather upgrade

Perforated Windsor leather upholstery with sports seat

Ebony suede cloth headlining

Powered gesture roof blind

Loadspace partition net

Additional power sockets - Two additional USB sockets in rear centre console and one 12V socket in trunk

Heated steering wheel

Lockable cooled glovebox

Packs

Bright exterior pack - XF

Dynamic pack - XF R-Dynamic SE Black/R-Dynamic HSE Black P250

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Ostuni pearl white

Metallic - British racing green

Metallic - Portofino blue

Metallic - Eiger grey

Metallic - Firenze red

Metallic - Santorini black

Paint - Solid

Solid - Fuji white

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Carpathian grey

Seats

40:20:40 folding, heated rear seats with centre armrest

16-way heated and ventilated electric memory front seats with 2-way manual headrests

16-way heated and ventilated, massage electric memory front seats with 2-way manual headrests

Security

Secure tracker pro

Soft door close

Activity key

Secure tracker

Towing

Electrically deployable towbar

Trim - Leather

Perforated Windsor leather - Siena tan, Ebony/Siena tan colourway, Ebony Morzine headlining + Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Mars red, Ebony/Mars red colourway, Ebony Morzine headlining + Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Light oyster, Ebony/Light oyster colourway, Ebony Morzine headlining + Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Ebony, Ebony/Ebony colourway, Ebony Morzine headlining + Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Siena tan, Ebony/Siena tan colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Siena tan, Ebony/Siena tan colourway, Ebony morzine headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Mars red, Ebony/Mars red colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Mars red, Ebony/Mars red colourway, Ebony morzine headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Light oyster, Ebony/Light oyster colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Light oyster, Ebony/Light oyster colourway, Ebony morzine headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Ebony, Ebony/Ebony colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated DuoLeather - Ebony, Ebony/Ebony colourway, Ebony morzine headlining + R-Dynamic SE Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Siena tan, Ebony/Siena tan colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Mars red, Ebony/Mars red colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Light oyster, Ebony/Light oyster colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + Sports seats

Perforated Windsor leather - Ebony, Ebony/Ebony colourway, Ebony suedecloth headlining + Sports seats

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 split spoke gloss dark grey with contrast diamond turned alloy wheels - style 5036

18" diamond turned with dark grey contrast alloy wheels - style 5105

20" satin black with gloss black inserts alloy wheels - style 5107

20" 5 split spoke gloss sparkle silver alloy wheels with gloss black inserts - style 5107

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair system