Last year, the XF saloon won the middle weight class. This year, we’re testing the Sportbrake estate model with four-wheel drive, which pushes the kerbweight high enough to move up a weight division.

Although it hasn’t won its class this year, the Sportbrake continues Jaguar‘s record of performing very strongly in our tests.

With 237bhp and 369lb ft of torque, the 2.0-litre engine has no trouble towing a caravan weighing 85% of its kerbweight. The 30-60mph time of 10.6 seconds shows how eagerly the car builds speed, even while towing.

Speed is matched to stability. There was very little movement when slowing from motorway speeds, and our drivers only noticed some small shimmy from the caravan once travelling at speeds which would be illegal on the motorway.

The Jaguar handled the lane-change test with great composure. On the third and quickest run the caravan was sliding dramatically, but the back of the XF stayed on course and the car dragged the caravan straight again.

Inside, the Jaguar doesn’t feel quite as plush as rivals from Audi or BMW. However, there’s plenty of space for adults to sit comfortably, even in the back.

There’s lots of luggage room, too – enough for our practicality judges to find room for almost a full load of holiday bags and camping gear.

Every XF Sportbrake has a comprehensive list of safety kit fitted as standard, and the saloon earned the full five stars when crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2015.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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