Jaguar F-PACE 2021 Review

In this SUV-crazed world, it’s easy to overlook the meteoric rise of the Jaguar F-PACE.

It was only five years ago the ground-breaking Brit first emerged from its camouflage as Jaguar’s first SUV. At the time, purists were unsure of its high-riding stature, but the market has since well and truly spoken.

Today, the F-PACE is an unmistakeable foundation of Jaguar’s global business. In Australia, the F-PACE accounts for one in four Jaguar sales – and that’s when stock is severely hamstrung by a dearth of supply and parts.

All of this makes the new 2021 Jaguar F-PACE update an utterly important one.

Can it keep pace with rivals in a segment that is seemingly bursting at the seams with options? Let’s find out.

The 2021 Jaguar F-PACE is slimmed-down from 18 models to six while also offering new engines, refreshed styling and more technology.

It starts at $76,244 plus on-road costs and tops out at $142,294 plus ORCs for the all-conquering Jaguar F-PACE SVR, which will arrive later in the year.

Physically, design changes are heralded by a new sculpted bonnet, larger front grille and air inlets with diamond-pattern detailing, and updated headlights with a new ‘double J’ light signature. At the rear, the F-PACE adopts a wider-looking bumper and an updated sculpted lower valance.

Infotainment is facilitated by an 11.4-inch touch-screen with JLR’s latest Pivi Pro software. There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus digital radio. Wireless phone charging is one of the F-PACE’s many disguised options.

The entry R-Dynamic S comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/start, ambient lighting, 12-way adjustable electric front chairs, R-Dynamic steering wheel, leather-upholstered seats, six-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth.

On the safety front, the F-PACE range continues with a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2017.

Standard inclusions include full airbag coverage, a 3D surround camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot assist, clear exit monitor, trailer sway assist, lane keep assist and front and rear parking sensors.

The second-tier R-Dynamic SE adds 20-inch wheels, 16-way adjustable front seat adjustment, electric steering column adjustment, heated and power-folding side mirrors, configurable dynamics and adaptive dampers.

Finally, the R-Dynamic HSE grade gets 21-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats, a 13-speaker Meridian sound system and Ebony suede headlining.

As ever, the options list is extensive for the Jaguar F-PACE. It costs $806 for heated front seats (on base spec), $840 for a lockable and cooled glovebox, $455 for cabin air ionisation, $1890 for four-zone climate control, $455 for wireless phone charging, $139 for rear USB sockets and $1960 for a head-up display. Just to name a few.

A $2910 Dynamic Handling Pack bundles configurable dynamics and adaptive dampers, while a $1560 Convenience Pack brings a power gestured tailgate, additional USB ports and Jaguar’s wearable Activity Key.

You’ll even have to pay extra for the Loadspace Practicality Pack ($610), which adds remote release levers for the split-fold seats, a load space partition net and load space storage rails.

A space-saver spare tyre is fitted standard, however, and all F-PACE models are rated to tow an official 2400kg (braked).

Meantime, the F-PACE range is now backed by Jaguar’s just-announced permanent five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

According to Jaguar Australia’s website, the F-PACE costs $1950 to service over a five-year plan for the four-cylinder engine, and up to $2650 for the six-cylinder diesel.

Both familiar and new powertrains are available in the 2021 Jaguar F-PACE range.

Starting with the carryover P250, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine generates enough power and torque (184kW/365Nm) to accelerate the F-PACE from 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

Fuel economy is rated at 7.8L/100km on the official combined cycle, with CO2 emissions at 182g/km.

The entry version rides on steel springs, unlike other F-PACE models which ride on adaptive
suspension. All models are underpinned by a double-wishbone front configuration and an integral-link rear.

The new P400 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine features a 48V mild-hybrid system, a twin-scroll turbocharger and an electric supercharger to generate 294kW/550Nm. This delivers an impressive 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.

The P400 returns fuel economy and emissions of 8.7L/100km and 202g/km respectively.

The D300 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel produces more pulling power (650Nm) than sister brand Land Rover’s previous V8 diesel, and with 221kW of power to go with it, can propel the big cat from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds.

Fuel consumption is rated at 7.0L/100km, with CO2 emissions at 184g/km.

All Jaguar F-PACE models are now full-time four-wheel drive (with rear-axle bias) and come with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Steering-mounted paddle shifters are also included.

Overseas shoppers can buy a plug-in hybrid variant, but the P400e powerplant is not yet available for Australia.

The 2021 Jaguar F-PACE range boasts an extensively new interior with higher-quality materials, optional cabin air ionisation, a new steering wheel and more storage options.

Jaguar says the new layout is more elegant and deliberately minimises buttons and dials. It also adopts a conventional gear shifter featuring cricket-ball leather stitching but retains a concealed pop-up dial for the optional drive mode selector.

In the skin, the application of the latest changes is strong. An updated multifunction steering wheel lends more ease of use than before, and there are nice touches sprinkled throughout, like the open-pore wood veneers and soft-touch materials on all major touchpoints, such as the door inserts.

Jaguar’s decision to move the electric window controls down from the top of the door roll to the inside of the door feels more natural than before, and we particularly like the use of hard-wired switchgear for the climate control system.

There’s a lot to be said for the immediacy of pushing a button, rather than having to navigate your way through umpteen digital screens.

By far the biggest improvement, at least upon first settling into the F-PACE’s low-slung driver’s seat, is the infotainment.

A new curved 11.4-inch centre screen proudly adorns the centre fascia, and is underpinned by JLR’s latest Pivi Pro software.

Not only does the system feel more intuitive than previous F-PACE iterations, it’s one of the best systems out there at embedding third-party software, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, into its native operating system. It works really, really well.

Spatially, the F-PACE offers strong proportions up front and enough space to keep a couple of six-foot adults content in the rear.

The presence of rear air vents, a relatively open glasshouse and two ISOFIX attachment points mean the F-PACE meets the expectations of families.

Less generous is the dearth of USB ports: there are no rear ports unless you option them, only a 12-volt outlet. There’s also a solitary 12-volt outlet in the boot, which is narrower than many other offerings in this segment and doesn’t include quick-fold levers for the split-fold function or an electric tailgate. Unless… you guessed it, you tick those optional boxes.

The core appeal of the 2021 Jaguar F-PACE is the same as it has always been: a sporting drive that is underlined by terrific on-road refinement.

From the positioning of the driver’s seat to the tuning of key controls, the Jaguar F-PACE is imbued with an unmistakeably sporty demeanour that helps differentiate it from many other offerings in this segment.

Furthermore, Jaguar has managed to achieve this without overly detracting from ride comfort.

Light low-speed steering and an assortment of outward cameras help to mitigate the F-PACE’s 4.74-metre length in tight traffic and car park scenarios; ditto the smooth gearbox and basic pedal modulation.

In the entry P250, which we spent most time in, progress is generally compliant around town: pitter-patter bumps are transferred through the cabin accordingly while sharper obstacles presented the occasional thud.

No doubt, optional 20-inch wheels may have played a part here, but on first inspection it seems the standard steel springs aren’t as efficient in isolating the cabin from imperfections as adaptive dampers found in models higher up the food chain.

As for the P250’s four-cylinder powertrain, progress is linear and predictable, the petrol engine using its eight-speed automatic transmission to excellent effect in regular conveyance.

The engine can occasionally feel languid as it progresses to highway speeds, a reflection of the F-PACE’s circa two-tonne mass.

Comparatively, there are no such problems with the D300 diesel that we also drove: seamless torque and strong middling performance matched by efficiency that managed to undercut the petrol’s 8.7L/100km as-tested figure.

Irrespective of engine, the F-PACE range sits planted on the freeway and on country B-grade roads, with excellent body control and an inherent air of refinement.

In keeping with the sporty theme, the F-PACE telegraphs more of what’s underneath the car via the key controls, which culminates in a connected driving experience relative to other segment offerings.

Furthermore, the F-PACE transfers its weight admirably through corners, enamouring the driver (even surprising, in parts) with well weighted steering, admirable mechanical grip and a general front-to-rear balance that is underlined by its rear-biased all-wheel drive system.

You’d hardly purchase an SUV for thrills, but the F-PACE is rarely out of its depth even in base trim, and would make a willing weekend tourer.

The 2021 Jaguar F-PACE is undoubtedly improved as a result of this mid-life update.

It continues to occupy a unique segment: big enough to counter the spatial argument of a large SUV, yet agile enough to take on contemporaries in the popular mid-size space.

Withstanding the exorbitant list of optional extras, the latest changes combine handily with the just-extended five-year warranty as well.

Looking at the big picture, you’d have to agree the F-PACE’s meteoric run is far from over.

How much does the 2021 Jaguar F-PACE R-Dynamic S P250 cost?
Price: $76,244 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 184kW/465Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 182g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (2017 ANCAP)

Related: Jaguar F-PACE rises in tech and price
Related: Jaguar F-PACE SVR 2021 Review
Related: Jaguar F-PACE SVR 2021 Video Review
Related: Jaguar F-PACE SVR takes fight up to GLC 63 and X3 M
Related: Jaguar F-PACE facelift revealed