Jaguar F-Pace

With the 2020 facelift, Jaguar aimed to improve things. They've made the cabin fancier, added more tech, and given it a sportier look. But has this turned the F-Pace into the complete package we hoped for? Let's take a closer look at its style, interior, features, how it drives, and decide if it stands out in the world of luxury SUVs.

Looks

The F-Pace has a sleek new appearance. It has a tall, muscular hood and a sloping roof, which gives it a sporty style. It's complemented by sharp LED headlights, a striking grille with chrome touches, and larger air intakes with chrome accents. The front looks fresh and more aggressive than before.

The 19-inch wheels with red Jaguar hub caps look great with the silver color. The SUV's size and sloping roofline make it stand out. There are also sleek, long taillights and chrome accents on the windows, adding a touch of class.

At the back, the star of the show is undoubtedly the taillights. They're probably the sleekest taillights on any car, especially an SUV this size. The rear design is clean, and the bumper has a glossy black panel to break up the mass. Overall, the F-Pace stands out among SUVs with its large size and sporty silhouette. The stylish elements like the taillights and headlights make it look even bigger than it is. It surely grabs attention on the road.

Interiors

The older F-Pace had a somewhat plain interior. It lacked that "wow" factor. But not anymore. Jaguar has given it a major upgrade, and now it feels luxurious and modern. The test car even had a sporty red theme. The silver finish under the air conditioning vents adds a touch of class. The quality and feel of the leather are top-notch.

The new design is dominated by a wide center console, with an impressive 11.4-inch touchscreen floating on top. The digital climate control display under the touchscreen uses dials, which look modern. You can change them to control the fan speed, but adjusting the temperature feels a bit unnatural. The gear knob is wrapped in suede and feels nice to the touch. All the controls are easy to use, and the cabin feels worth the price. The seats are comfy, and the Jaguar-logo steering wheel feels great to hold.

Now, let's talk about the features. The F-Pace is packed with everything you'd expect in a luxury SUV. You get 12-way power-adjustable seats with memory, a 4-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, a wireless charger, a panoramic sunroof, a digital instrument cluster, a powered tailgate, and much more. Ventilated seats and a massage function would have been nice additions. The highlight is the large touchscreen, with a display as good as modern smartphones.

The new Pivi Pro interface makes life simpler. The home screen has three large tiles that look attractive. It's user-friendly and works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It includes navigation, vehicle information, and more. Jaguar has made it easier to navigate through menus while driving, which is a big plus.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is smartly designed, allowing you to customize it with speedometer, vehicle info, and navigation displays.

In the back, the luxury continues with leather touches and a well-finished look. There's ample space for rear passengers, with plenty of legroom and headroom. Even the rear bench is relatively flat, so a third person can sit in the middle with an adjustable headrest and a 3-point seatbelt. Rear passengers also enjoy two climate control zones, AC vents, and cupholders in the armrest, ensuring they have a comfortable ride.

Boot Space

The F-Pace offers 613 liters of boot space, making it suitable for a weekend trip's luggage. You can fold down the rear seats to create even more room.

Engine and Performance

The F-Pace offers two engine options: a 2.0L diesel and a 2.0L turbocharged petrol, which we tested. The petrol engine delivers 184PS of power and 365Nm of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The big cat now comes with two engine options: a 2.0L diesel and a 2.0L turbocharged petrol which we tested. The petrol we are driving makes 184PS of power and 365Nm of torque and comes mated to an 8-speed torque converter.

The standout feature of this engine is its power delivery – it's quick and energetic. In Dynamic drive mode, the F-Pace accelerates with determination, and the gear changes are smooth. It climbs through the revs swiftly and effortlessly, reaching high speeds in no time. In our tests, the F-Pace went from 0 to 100km/h in 8.28 seconds, which is impressive for an SUV of this size. The cabin is well-insulated, so you might think you're driving slower than you actually are. It's comfortable on long drives and maintains speed effortlessly.

However, in the city, there's a slight delay between pressing the gas pedal and the power delivery. The F-Pace takes a moment to respond after a speed bump or when you're merging into traffic. When the power does kick in, it surges, making smooth driving a bit challenging. Your passengers might think you're stepping on the gas too hard when you're just being cautious. Switching to Eco mode helps smooth out the power delivery, but the delay is still noticeable.

Despite this, the F-Pace handles city driving well once it's up to speed. Throttle control is easy, and overtaking is a breeze. The F-Pace can go from 20 to 80km/h in just 5.43 seconds, which is quite impressive.

Ride and Handling

The F-Pace is a sporty SUV with a focus on performance and handling. But that doesn't mean it sacrifices comfort. The suspension is on the stiffer side, and the ride can feel a bit bumpy at low speeds, with plenty of side-to-side movement on rough roads. However, things smooth out as you pick up speed, especially on the highway, where the F-Pace performs best.

The handling is impressive. The quick steering makes the car feel agile in corners. The front of the F-Pace responds sharply to direction changes, making it a fun choice for a road trip through hilly terrain. It maintains good balance, and body roll is well-controlled. The all-wheel-drive system and wide tires provide good grip. While the F-Pace can be a handful in the city on rough roads, it's enjoyable on the open highway.

Verdict

In this update, the F-Pace has taken a step in the right direction. It looks better, feels more premium inside, and offers enough tech to compete with the best. Anyone buying an F-Pace won't feel shortchanged when it comes to owning an expensive luxury SUV. Enthusiast drivers will appreciate its exciting drive and capable handling.

If Jaguar could make the ride more comfortable for city driving and reduce the throttle delay, the F-Pace would be a fantastic all-rounder, suitable for family trips and thrilling for drivers.

But with its current limitations, the F-Pace excels on open highways, where it can cover long distances with ease. If you're looking for a luxury SUV primarily designed for highway cruising, the F-Pace is a top contender in its class.