The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace ranks 2 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. Very few rivals can match the brand-new Jaguar F-Pace when it comes to space, dynamic driving performance, and the prestige that comes with a Jaguar badge. Although Jaguar doesn't like to call it an SUV – they call it a practical sports car and performance crossover – the F-Pace is the first SUV for the luxury brand. The British carmaker says the F-Pace was built to be functional enough as a daily driver, but fun to drive on the weekend. It is spectacularly successful in both arenas. The F-Pace also has one of the largest cargo holds in the class. Additionally, its Land Rover parentage (Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by the same company and share some components) helps its off-road cred, making the F-Pace surprisingly practical for a little trail-riding. Overall, the F-Pace is an excellent SUV.
Pros Sports-car-like performance Excellent traction on slippery or gravel roads Spacious interior and cargo room
Cons Subpar acceleration with diesel engine
The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace does an excellent job of putting just as much emphasis on sport as on utility. Jaguar Land Rover is in the business of building excellent SUVs, but until now, those SUVs were the exclusive province of Land Rover. Even with Range Rovers and Discoverys sitting across the showroom, there's plenty of room for more vehicles in the broad spectrum that grabs everything from the Buick Encore to the Benz G-Class. And if a sort of automotive purity test is invoked, well, Porsche's proven that no brand can really thrive in the U.S. without some kind of crossover SUV in its lineup. This is all a convoluted way of explaining how we got to the first Jaguar crossover SUV in history, and as luck would have it, one of the most satisfying luxury utility vehicles of all.
Pros The SUV Jaguar's always wanted Sleek aluminum body Wide-screen InControl Touch Pro Turbodiesel or supercharged six Nimble, skillful handling
Cons Firm ride degrades on 22s Rearview camera a $400 option on base model Cockpit can be a subdued, dark affair
If you're looking for a luxury SUV that stands out in a crowd, the striking new 2017 Jaguar F-Pace is hard to ignore. It's more than just a pretty face as it's also great to drive, surprisingly practical, competitively priced and can even venture off road. It's a new SUV you don't want to overlook.
pros Spacious backseat and cargo area for the segment Sharper and more engaging to drive than most Supercharged V6 power at a four-cylinder price Fuel-efficient diesel engine option Higher-than-usual ground clearance and surprising off-road capability.
cons Gasoline engine is considerably less efficient than similarly priced rivals You might find the ride too firm over broken pavement V6's boisterous exhaust may get tiresome in day-to-day driving.
Jaguar has given the F-Pace a few visual tweaks for 2021, including a revised grille, a reworked hood, and updated exterior lighting elements. The cabin receives a major upgrade in the form of Jaguar-Land Rover's new Pivi and PiviPro infotainment systems. Their graphics are projected on a large 11.4-inch curved-glass screen mounted just above the climate controls on the F-Pace's dashboard. Heated seats and a 14-speaker stereo are now standard across the lineup.
PROS Athletic chassis, powerful optional inline-six, plentiful cargo space.
CONS Stiff ride, buggy infotainment system, stingy on interior storage cubbies.
The 2021 Jaguar F-PACE comes with a revised front and rear styling, New 11.4-inch infotainment screen with updated software, New V6 engine available with 335 or 395 hp, Thoroughly redesigned interior.
PROS Powerful V6 engine delivers quick acceleration More cargo space than most rivals Handles and brakes like a sport sedan
CONS Larger wheels hurt ride comfort More road and wind noise in the cabin than competitors
PROS One of the best large SUVs to drive Great new infotainment system Keenly priced yet well equipped
CONS There are roomier SUV options Road noise on larger wheels Some fiddly switchgear