Jaguar F-Pace review

The F-Pace is both Jaguar’s global sales king and the fastest-selling model in the company’s history, with the firm having shifted more than a quarter of a million worldwide since arriving in 2016. Odd to think that at one point in time a Jaguar SUV was considered a gamble for a brand so heavily oriented around sports cars and sporting saloons. Imagine if it hadn’t launched it…

Of course, these days everyone is doing SUVs and it’s not short of rivals, including the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Macan, Volvo XC60, and more.

Back in 2021 it received a major mid-life refresh, mostly addressing the underwhelming interior and user interface, and rolling out a line-up of new engines, including a plug-in hybrid. The exterior makeover was more subtle but made the car look wider, better planted and less top-heavy.

What are my other engine options?

Chief among the new engines introduced back in 2021 was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid, badged P400e, which makes a total of 398bhp – 141bhp of that ponied up by an electric motor and 472 torques. It contains a 19.2kWh unit for up to 40 miles and a claimed 176.6mpg. Yeah right.

Aside from the entry-level 2.0-litre 247bhp four-cylinder turbo petrol and PHEV, the three other available engines are mildly electrified (mHEVs, if you insist). At time of writing you’ve the choice of 204bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 296bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesels, plus a 395bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol. There’s also the 550bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 SVR, which you can read about by clicking here.

All F-Paces are now all-wheel drive and use an ZF eight-speed automatic. But lest you think Jaguar is letting its sporting credentials slip, it points to its Intelligent Driveline Dynamics which optimises the chassis’ rear-driveiness in most conditions. Click through to the Driving tab for the full lowdown.

Is the cabin now a better place to be?

The mission to banish the low-rent plastics that besmirched the outgoing model is largely successful. In fact, this is now a genuinely world class cabin – atmospheric, well-crafted and expensive looking.

The mid-life facelift also brought with it upgraded tech, notably a new 11.4-inch central display that’s both bigger and brighter than the previous 10-inch screen, plus JLR’s latest electronic vehicle architecture (EVA 2.0), allowing for future over-the-air updates. The simplified menu structure is also faster and easier to use, surely the two key attributes for any in-car set-up. Full details over on the Interior tab.

How much does it cost?

Prices start at £48,720 for the mild hybrid diesels, £52,560 for the petrols, and £60,985 for the range-topping PHEV. Head over to the Buying tab for more.

The F-Pace has been a hit for Jaguar in a market that’s absolutely teeming with tough competition, and for good reason. Its 2021 reinvigoration completely transformed the interior experience, without altering the driving proposition, helping to keep it relevant today.

As well as delivering a pleasing spin on modern British design, it pilfers more than a little from the excellent I-Pace’s cabin and progressive spirit to create an SUV of palpable quality and even greater character.