November 9, 2024

Jaguar keeps up the F-Pace

Jaguar #Jaguar

The tradition-breaking midsize SUV remains true to its legendary Jaguar heritage.

PMG PHOTO: JEFF ZURSCHMEIDE - The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace was the first SUV produced by the legendary company. It is impressive both on pavement and off-road.When Jaguar first came out with the F-Pace back in 2016, it was a monumental change for the company. In its 100-year history, Jaguar had never made anything like an SUV. That market had been left to its sister company Land Rover. The question was, could the company produce a midsize crossover and still retain the signature Jaguar driving experience?

The answer was Yes, and not only that, the F-Pace was pretty good off-pavement, too. Now six years on, the F-Pace is still an impressive vehicle. The SUV received a light refresh in 2020, so it still looks fresh and relevant.

PMG PHOTO: JEFF ZURSCHMEIDE - The all-wheel-drive equipped 2022 Jaguar F-Pace combines the performance of a sports car with the practically of an SUV.

Designer Ian Callum took the SUV idea and blended it with traditional Jaguar flowing body lines. We can’t say the F-Pace is radically different from other crossover SUVs, but it’s a nice looking vehicle, and Jaguar has avoided the unfortunate fashion of using a huge grille.

Under the hood, F-Pace buyers can order a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that is both supercharged and turbocharged, and fitted with a mild hybrid system. The hybrid motor delivers power right from idle, and then the supercharger helps acceleration, while turbocharger takes over to maximize horsepower at the top end. It’s a complicated system, but it delivers smooth, consistent power at all rev ranges.

PMG PHOTO: JEFF ZURSCHMEIDE - Inside the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace, the cabin layout is uncluttered, with a touchscreen infotainment system and a few dials for direct controls, plus a shifter.

The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jaguar’s all-wheel-drive system. The AWD is shared technology with the smaller Land Rover SUVs, and it really works. You can take an F-Pace onto snow, ice, or rough terrain with confidence. It’s more than adequate to tackle any winter weather in the Pacific Northwest. But the F-Pace is also the beneficiary of Jaguar’s sports car heritage, and offers clean, tight, and confident handling on pavement. With the R Dynamic S trim, you’ll hit 60 MPH in 5.1 seconds.

Inside, the F-Pace provides you with Jaguar’s traditional interpretation of sporting luxury. The seats are trimmed in leather and comfortable, with excellent side bolstering. The cabin layout is uncluttered, with a touchscreen infotainment system and a few dials for direct controls, plus a shifter. That’s about it. The look is really refreshing and attractive. The back seats are comfortable as well, and you can put five passengers in an F-Pace. Cargo capacity is 26.6 cubic feet, or enough to carry all your luggage and winter sports gear.

PMG PHOTO: JEFF ZURSCHMEIDE - The front bucket seats in the 2022 Jaguar F-Sport compete with the best of those found in sports cars.

The base F-Pace carries a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, so a little less power, but it starts at $52,400. The R Dynamic S trim we’ve got is one grade shy of the top of the line SVR sports model, and it starts at $65,200. From there it’s easy to top $80,000, as our test model did. So, there’s quite a price difference depending on the choices you make. The R Dynamic S is provocative, but if we were spending our own money, we’d shop closer to the affordable end of the spectrum, or consider downsizing to the equally attractive E-Pace compact crossover.

PMG PHOTO: JEFF ZURSCHMEIDE - There is enough room for three adults in the back seats of the 2022 Jaguar F-Sport.

The bottom line on the Jaguar F-Pace is that if you have ever loved a Jaguar, but you really need an SUV right now, this crossover is exactly what you want.

2022 Jaguar F-Pace R-Dynamic S

Base price: $65,200

Price as tested: $82,245

Type: Compact crossover SUV

Engine: 3.0-liter mild hybrid supercharged turbocharged inline six-cylinder (395 hp, 406 lbs-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 20/26

Overall length: 187.5 inches

Curb weight: 4,535 pounds

Final assembly: Solihull, UK

PMG PHOTO: JEFF ZURSCHMEIDE - Cargo capacity in the 2022 Jaguar F-Sport is 26.6 cubic feet, or enough to carry all your luggage and winter sports gear.

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