I’ve always thought those TV adverts that feature couples arguing over who is to drive (and therefore not drink) were a bit unrealistic.

At least I did until the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (it seems wrong to call it an ‘estate’) arrived for a week’s test drive. What a beauty – even the rather spacious 1,675-litre boot didn’t detract from its striking good looks – and what a pleasure to drive!

Accurate and sharp steering allows you to take corners with confidence, and once you pick up the pace motorway driving is an absolute joy, with road and traffic noise kept to a minimum.

You can choose 161bhp or 197bhp variants of the 2.2-litre diesel, or the 3.0-litre V6 diesel in 237bhp or 271bhp form – no petrol engines are on offer. The eight-speed automatic gearbox and Jaguar’s Intelligent Stop-Start system come as standard.

“It’s got carpet on the ceiling!” shouted my three-year-old, as I hastily tried to remove raisins from his hand – this is not a car to tolerate children’s mess. In fact, it was a black Alcantara (artificial suede) roof lining which, along with the charcoal leather seats and privacy glass, added to the overall premium feel.

Other standard features include Xenon headlights, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, powered tailgate, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, DAB radio, satellite navigation and a 250-watt sound system.

All models are available with the Jaguar Adaptive Dynamics system, which continuously monitors the suspension and, courtesy of active dampers, can alter damping rates up to 500 times a second to ensure optimal stability and handling with no loss of comfort.

The system also allows the driver – at the touch of a button – to alter suspension and throttle response parameters to increase the level of involvement.

A towbar can also be added – when not needed the tow-hitch can be removed quickly, stored in a dedicated stowage space inside the boot and replaced with a rear valance cover to disguise its mounting point.

But if you are going to tow, this is a car that’s far better suited to towing a luxury boat rather than, say, a caravan.

The verdict? Smooth, effortless and oozing with contemporary luxury. And, with its competitive pricing and improved fuel economy, this is a luxury motor that definitely has the edge on its rivals.

Fact File:
Car: Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2.2
On the road: £35,440
Top speed: 124mph
0-60mph: 10 seconds
Fuel: 55.4mpg (combined)
CO2 emissions: 139g/km