I Like Big Boots: Jaguar's U.S.-bound XF Sportbrake Now Has a Price

It’s always nice to see a station wagon in North America. Crossovers may have caught on faster than fidget spinners in a wildfire, but they’ll never be able to offer the same diving dynamics of a lower-slug automobile — leaving room for wagons to persist.

Likewise, rebranding estate cars as shooting brakes or “sportbrakes” is helping give the niche segment some much-needed panache, extending its appeal beyond the true believers. Wagons have long since become an endangered species in certain parts of the world but, thanks to conservation efforts from several carmakers, we might not lose them entirely.

One of those companies is Jaguar. It has yet to abandon the cargo-happy bodystyle and has even seen fit to bring the XF Sportbrake to the United States for the very first time — possibly because it realizes wagon lovers are now one of the most underserved demographics in autodom.

It’s due later this year, appearing as a 2018 model, and is priced to start at $71,445, including destination fees. Aesthetically, it isn’t wildly different from the XF sedan but does provide an ample rump to store whatever goodies your upper-middle-class heart desires. Cargo capacity is 31.7 cubic feet behind the second row, yielding a grand total of 69.7 cubic feet of load space when the rear seats are folded.

The XF also boasts a two-ton towing capacity — roughly 4400 pounds — that Jaguar seems particularly proud of. However, you risk sullying the Jag’s good looks with the addition of a trailer hitch.

A 380 horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 is the only engine on offer for U.S. customers. It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive. Jaguar claims the setup should be good for a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.3 seconds, which is certainly adequate for having a bit of fun. However, we’ve got out fingers crossed for a tuned-up SVR variant that will throw down with the Mercedes-AMG E63 wagon.

Jaguar promises the XF Sportbrake will deliver everything you expect from its vehicles, including an aluminum-centric body. Self-leveling air suspension is standard, as are LED headlights, LED taillights, power-assisted tailgate, and gesture controls for the panoramic sunroof. You get a lot for that entry price, but the higher than average sticker doesn’t guarantee everything you might desire. There is an air ionizer you’ll have to pay extra for. Jag’s Configurable Dynamics system is also optional.

There is also full suite of driver assistance and safety systems, though the automaker hasn’t specified exactly how these features are broken up. Assumedly, blind spot monitoring is standard, but Jaguar wasn’t explicit on whether or not features like drowsiness detection are included as standard.

Competition in North America will be limited to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon and Volvo V90 — both of which cost less but make fewer ponies. Jaguar says the XF’s “predicted high residual values and low running costs” will make up for the pricing disparity.

[Images: Jaguar]