I DIDN'T like the look of the Jaguar XF when it first came out - being a lover of the old XJ and S-Type shapes.

But it really has grown on me and the Sportbrake estate is perhaps even better looking than the saloon.

I recently drove the 2.2 diesel Portfolio at the top of the range and it's just as a Jaguar should be - simply getting into the driver's seat is an occasion.

A capacity of 2.2 litres might not sound like much in a Jaguar but it is quite enough. The engine is only noticeable as a diesel at tickover and perfectly quiet and refined when on the move.

It delivers good acceleration both away from rest and through the gears of the eight speed automatic ‘box.

Roadholding and handling are pure Jaguar - taut and agile, with immense grip even on the damp roads of the test day.

Yet the ride - always a Jag excellence - is still superb, rolling over the worst country or town roads with great ease.

Portfolio spec doesn't come cheap, but it does have just about everything as standard, including touch screen sat nav, heated and cooled electrically adjusted leather seats, Bluetooth and aux in for MP3 music and stop start to save fuel in traffic.