2018 Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport
The F- Pace is Jaguar's first entry in the SUV market. This week we take a look at it and see if it was worth the wait.
Disclosure: Jaguar Landrover Canada & JS Auto provided me with the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me.
ACCELERATION: 8/10
- 247 hp @ 5,500 / 269 lb-ft @ 1,200-4,500 rpm
- 4-cylinder 2.0L Turbo
- 8-Speed-ZF automatic Standard AWD
- 6.8 seconds 0-100 km/hr
- There is also a 2.0L Turbo Diesel and a 3.0L Supercharged V6 engine option.
- 5290 lbs towing capacity
- Exhaust sounds really good!
BRAKING: 8.5/10
- Very impressive braking abilities.
HANDLING: 9/10
- Grips the road well plus super engaging to drive
- Feels more like a car than a crossover
RIDE: 7.25/10
- Because they tuned this for on-road performance, driving this off road can be a bit harsh compared to Landrovers.
ECONOMY: 8/10
- Fuel economy is going to vary depending on which engine configuration you opt for but our 4 cylinder Turbo had acceptable numbers.
- 21.98/26.73/23.76 - City/Highway/Combined
- If you want the best fuel economy numbers go with the Diesel engine which is available in most trims.
CABIN NOISE: 7.5/10
- Average amount of cabin noise in its class
EXTERIOR: 8.5/10
- Really looks like a Jaguar from any angle
- Jaguar design language works well in a SUV format
SAFETY|SECURITY|TECH: 7.5/10
- Gesture Tailgate
- Activity Key
- Incontrol System
Surround Camera System
Emergency Braking
Trailer Stability Assist
- Engine Drag Torque Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Blind Spot Monitoring w/ Closing Vehicle Sensing
Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist
Lane Keep Assist & Driver Condition Monitor
Traffic Sign Recognition w/ Adaptive Speed Limiter
INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 7.5/10
- 4-Way Lumbar support
- Extending thigh cushion
- Tilt/telescopic steering wheel
- Inflatable bolsters
- I liked the rotary style shifter
- Front Seats are very comfortable and very adjustable
- A bit much in terms of hard plastics for a vehicle at this price point.
- Our version had the traditional analog instrument cluster but if you go for the pro version it is fully digital
- It drives more like a car than a traditional SUV
- Rest of the button configuration is confusing as they place so many buttons in different locations from other brands. Because of the ergonomics I personally didn't like my experience navigating the dash.
- Very engaging to drive
INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 9.5/10
- Because it is one of the largest in the segment it has one of the highest leg room numbers.
- Wide dimensions of the car make it possible to fit 3 adults in the back without being too cramp
- Power recline
- 40/20/40 folding design
INTERIOR STORAGE: 9/10
- Trunk space is really good even with it's sloping rear design! Best in class.
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 8.5/10
- Jaguar has a cool looking infotainment system if you don't mind having an all touchscreen experience
OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2018 Jaguar F-Pace:
Jaguars first entry in the SUV market is a bit late but is a solid vehicle that will be a good fit for a lot of buyers. It’s sexy exterior, quick and fun to drive dynamics will appeal to many. Their Landrover brand focuses on off road abilities while Jaguar is engineered for on road focused performance. The F-Pace is hands down the most fun to drive in this segment.
The interior however scratches my head. The button placement inside isn’t the standard location that every other brand follows so new customers to Jaguar’s platform may find it confusing to navigate at first. The engine start button is where the volume knob usually is, and volume knob is where the tuning knob is.. the list goes on. If you end up getting the F-Pace I'm sure you'll get use to it after a while. The interior finish and material feels below average compared to other brands in the luxury segment.
If you're looking for a SUV that drives like a sporty car this may be a vehicle you want to check out.