Jaguar XF Sportbrake Coming To America From $70,450

Wagon lovers of America rejoice, as Jaguar has officially confirmed that – unlike the previous model – the new XF Sportbrake will indeed be offered in the United States.

In releasing the full details of the new luxury estate, the British automaker confirmed that the XF Sportbrake will carry a starting list price of $70,450, plus a $995 destination charge to bring the cost of entry up to $71,445.

Astute observers may note with alarm that, at that price, the Sportbrake is considerably more expensive than the XF sedan on which it's based, and which carries a starting sticker price of $47,775. But that wouldn't exactly be comparing apples to apples, as the wagon at present comes only in S spec and all-wheel drive, its 3.0-liter supercharged V6 rated at 380 horsepower. Specify the sedan with the same and the sticker jumps to $66,865, so what you're really looking at is a premium of $3,585 for the added cargo space, a trick auto-tinting panoramic sunroof, and more.

There'll be a First Edition of the XF Sportbrake offered as well, with added features, from $72,100. (The F-Pace crossover, for comparison's sake, starts at $42,065, or $59,776 in S AWD spec with the same 380-hp engine.) Jaguar doesn't appear concerned that however few Sportbrakes it sells in the United States (or elsewhere for that matter) will cannibalize much sales from the F-Pace.

It does evidently hope, however, to attract some customers away from rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon (priced from $62,300 with a 329-hp twin-turbo V6) and Volvo V90 (from $49,950 with the 250-hp turbo four, or $55,950 with the 316-hp twin-charged engine). Audi doesn't currently offer its A6 Avant in the United States, nor does BMW its 5 Series Touring model – but the new 6 Series Gran Turismo, with its unusual roofline, may entice some customers.