THIS big cat looks just purr-fect. 

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is essentially a longer version of the saloon model, but before anyone says ‘estate' (Jaguar certainly won't) it is designed with a loving care that makes it just as, if not more, alluring.

It is very easy on the eye with Jaguar's designers producing a sleek and handsome exterior.

The wheelbase is the same but the roof has been lengthened with the whole effect making the Sportbrake look longer and slimmer. The car rides on snazzy 17-inch alloys which set off the whole package nicely.

The interior is a special place to be, boasting, as does the saloon, the ‘wow' moment when the start button is pushed. In a performance worthy of an Oscar, the rotary gear selector knob rises and all the air vents rotate out from the dash.

When your family want nothing more from a journey than the ignition to be pushed to initiate this show-stopping spectacular there can be no doubt this is a cool cabin.

There is also tasteful blue lighting, while leather trim, climate control and a digital radio/CD system are standard across the range.

There is plenty of room for a family of four - and their luggage - with heads, legs and shoulders well catered for.

This bigger cat means a decent 550 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place and 1,675 litres with them folded flat.

Another in a long list of nice touches on the Luxury model is a tailgate which opens electronically off the key fob and closes at the press of a button with a softness that oozes quality.

There are rails in the boot floor to accommodate nets and dividers that stop anything rolling about, plus  a number of hidden cubby holes that help keep clutter out of sight.

The 2.2-litre diesel engine is available with 197bhp or the 161bhp version I drove. There are also two versions of a 3.0-litre oil burner which gives the Sportbrake more get up and go.

That said, the beast under the bonnet in my test vehicle - allied to the eight-speed automatic gearbox - made this Jag plenty quick enough from a standing start while cruising along a motorway was just effortless.

It is great to drive with the steering nicely weighted and an efficient suspension that absorbs the effects of any humps and hollows.

As you might expect the £35,000-plus Sportbrake Luxury model comes with a host of trinkets.

There is satellite navigation, Xenon headlights, rear parking aids, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electric adjustment for front seats and steering wheel, plus a raft of safety equipment.

This includes electronic systems to help prevent accidents and airbags in case one is unavoidable.

The Sportbrake is also considerate when it comes to pedestrians as it has a bonnet that pops up to cushion a collision.

There are a host of optional extras to spend your cash on with blind-spot warning, 19-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, front parking aid and rear view camera just some of the tasty treats on the Sportbrake's smorgasbord.

The whole package is stylish, comfortable, great to drive, reasonably priced and must for any company executive's short-list when it comes to choosing a luxury estate.