Jaguar F-PACE 2019 Review

The Jaguar F-PACE is a belated entrant into the booming premium SUV category. Launched in July 2016, it has been Jaguar’s best seller in Australia until recently, when the smaller and more affordable compact Jaguar E-PACE knocked the F-PACE off its perch.

Jaguar describes the F-PACE as a performance-oriented medium-sized SUV, “designed to offer the agility, responsiveness and refinement” that the Brit brand is renowned for.

We’d characterise it as a mid-sized luxury SUV with above-average performance and handling, a useful degree of practicality and efficiency, and attractive styling that sets it apart from the crowd.

Jaguar F-PACE buyers choose from an expansive model range that covers no less than 19 variants, with a price spread from $72,510 to $140,262.

Powertrain options include a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, a 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel, a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo-diesel, a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol in two different tunes: a 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6, and a recently launched supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8.

Within that range this F-PACE R Sport 30t sits about mid-field, with a manufacturer recommended retail price of $91,445, although as tested its price here chins the $100k bar, at $100,335.

The R-Sport sits above the entry level Prestige model, boasting a sportier appearance and a few more bells and whistles. Key exterior features include 19-inch alloys, blacked out radiator grille and window surrounds, sportier front and rear bumpers, and satin chrome side power vents.

Inside, you’ll find attractive perforated leather sport seats with bold-red stitching, a leather wrapped instrument panel, and an R-Sport branded leather steering wheel, among other accoutrements.

If you’ve always wanted to kick sand in the face of a smug Porsche driver, this could be your chance. The high-output version of the F-PACE’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine produces an impressive 221k and 400Nm, versus the four-cylinder Porsche Macan’s 185kW and 370Nm.

The F-PACE’s aluminium-intensive construction also means the Jaguar tips the scales some 30kg lighter than the 1795kg Porsche. So with more power and less weight, it follows that the F-PACE will show the Macan a clean set of claws, covering the zero to 100km/h dash some seven-tenths quicker, in 6.0sec.

Of course Porsche owners will back themselves to make up lost ground in the bends, but the F-PACE is no slouch in this regard either. Based as it is on the Jaguar XE chassis architecture, the F-PACE starts life with pretty good underpinnings, which translates to nicely balanced and progressive body roll in corners, strong all-wheel drive grip and eagerly responsive steering.

It’s definitely one of the better steering and handling SUVs on the market.

The Jaguar F-PACE has been available in Australia mid-2016 and not a great deal has changed in the intervening years, apart from the availability of a couple of higher powered engines and technical improvements, such as the recent addition of standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the latest 20MY models.

Due on-sale in Australia from September, 20MY models also include a proximity key as standard, and two new special edition variants, the F-PACE 300 Sport and the F-PACE Chequered Flag.

For performance fans, a stonking new supercharged 5.0-litre V8 F-PACE SVR version launched here in August 2019.

The Jaguar F-PACE fan base is likely to include a good selection of people who prefer Marmite over Vegemite; warm beer over cold; and who barrack for the wrong team in the Ashes.

In addition to parochial expat Brits, the F-PACE will appeal to a mixed bag of young professionals and even empty nesters, attracted to the Jag’s enticing mix of brand cachet, eye-catching styling, strong performance and useful practicality.
Being an SUV, it also appeals to young families, where its 650-litre boot and decently roomy rear seat make it a perfectly viable proposition.

Inside the comfortable and well-appointed cabin there are some lovely design touches, nice material quality and space for four, or five at a pinch. The boot also expands to a voluminous 1740 litres with the rear seats folded, with access via the standard electric-powered tailgate.

The Jaguar F-PACE is classified as a premium mid-sized SUV, which pits it directly against the likes of the Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5 and Lexus RX.

In terms of its nearest rival, Jaguar admits to having benchmarked the F-PACE against the Porsche Macan during its development, so it’s probably fair to say the Porsche is its greatest nemesis.

However, anyone shopping for a family-sized prestige SUV is also likely to take a close look at rivals from the German prestige triumvirate, as well as offerings from Lexus and Infiniti.

Regardless of which brand you benchmark against, the F-PACE makes a highly competitive and compelling case.

The Jaguar F-PACE is a great-looking SUV, distinguished by its handsome and sporty styling. It backs up its good looks with strong performance, impressively agile handling, and a degree of functional usability that makes it both entertaining to drive, and a practical family car.

The fact it looks so good, wears such a storied badge and is something a little different, in amongst the dominant wave of German prestige SUVs, will certainly appeal to some buyers.

How much does the 2019 Jaguar F-PACE 30t R Sport cost?
Price: $91,445 (plus on-road costs); $100,335 (as tested, plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 221kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 174g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2017)