Photo: Bring a trailer/autoevolution
This 2018 Jaguar XF S Sportbrake is one of approximately 250 units sold in the United States during this model’s three-year production run, and features a Narvik Black exterior, Ebony leather interior, and a powerful 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine.
Remember when station wagons were a popular choice for American buyers? It seems like an eternity ago. I mean, social media didn't even exist. Hell, the Internet barely existed. But the fact remains that they've fallen out of favor with consumers, due to several stark facts.
Before we dive into consumer preferences and the rise of SUVs and crossovers, there is one area worth discussing that few people tend to mention: the overall decline in family size in the United States.
Yes, the average family size has decreased over the past 2-3 decades, and with fewer people in the home, the demand for large family vehicles has decreased. Meanwhile, smaller families are now almost always opting for crossovers or even compact SUVs.
By the way, the latter remains the most significant factor when it comes to explaining what happened to station wagons. They offer virtually the same practicality, but with a higher driving position, better ground clearance, and a more rugged aesthetic.
That said, some of us still appreciate a big wagon from time to time, and what we found here fits right into that category. This 2018 Jaguar XF S Sportbrake recently sold at auction for just $26,500, a great price considering its original MSRP was $74,648.
In terms of specification, we’re looking at a Narvik Black exterior, with gloss black trim (courtesy of the Black Exterior Package), a fixed panoramic sunroof, heated windscreen, adaptive LED headlights, a power tailgate, privacy windows, roof rails and a set of 20-inch split-spoke wheels shod with 255/35 Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tyres. This Jag also boasts self-levelling rear suspension, which is a great feature to have.
Photo: Bring a trailer
Inside, you’ll find heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable Ebony leather front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, keyless entry, a Meridian audio system, and a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. This one even has soft-close doors.
Performance-wise, the previously mentioned 3.0-liter supercharged V6 is rated at 380 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, with it all sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system.
Step on the accelerator in a straight line and you'll hit 60 mph in about 5 seconds flat, which is more than decent. Look at it this way: 15 years ago, 0-60 times under 5 seconds were reserved for the likes of BMW's M flagships and various AMGs, in this segment.