What is beautiful is seldom practical. Whether it comes to décor items, houses, gadgets or cars, these two traits are mostly not seen together. Especially in the case of cars, these two seldom coexist. The Jaguar F-Pace 2017 provides you both of these qualities together in one car. It is a beast and every inch of this amazing SUV is a thing of beauty. But keeping its looks aside, it is the most efficient, spacious, and competitively priced SUV available in the market at present.
It has a 340 horsepower V6 engine for a price where most competitors have lesser powered four-cylinder engines that are turbocharged. Acceleration is superior to most other SUVs and comes attached to an F-Type-inspired exhaust note. For people desiring fuel economy, the 20d model comes with a diesel engine that is turbocharged. The only other SUV in the segment to offer such an engine is the BMW X3.
When Jaguar first set out to make an SUV, the first and foremost goal was to make something of an eye candy, a pretty car. The primary focus was for it to be appealing. That goal was achieved with flying colors. In order to make a proportionate car that catches the eye, the length of this SUV has been increased. Ground clearance and wheelbase were added for the same reason. But more than just being pleasing to the eyes, all these additions resulted in increased legroom, increased cargo space and a ground clearance for rugged terrains which made it better than competitors and thus a vehicle of choice for SUV lovers.
Another important goal for Jaguar SUVs was to drive the same way as its sedans and sports cars. The sharp steering, flawless composition of suspension and rear-biased all-wheel-drive system are all great features of the F-Pace. For some people, the ride may feel a bit firm but that just adds more control to the vehicle.
This SUV sports a beautifully designed cabin with very comfortable seats. There has been absolutely no compromise on the quality of the material that makes up its interior. The touchscreen interface has an impressively crisp response, big buttons, and menus that can easily be customized.
Sports seats are a standard feature of this SUV. The seats are high on comfort and nestle the passenger firmly in place during bumpy rides. Adjustable lumbar support is optionally available on all versions of the F-Pace. This makes longer journeys comfortable, so it is a good investment for people who spend a lot of time driving.
The driver’s seat is manually adjustable on the ‘Prestige’ and ‘R-Sport’ models, whereas higher models come with electric adjustment. The steering wheel is manually adjustable although electrically adjustable wheel can be acquired by paying a little extra.
Temperature can be lowered or raised by jabbing the control buttons. While driving, operating these buttons is not a big distraction but the whole process would have been better with a dial.
A small rear screen and a window line that features a gradual rise can seriously hamper over-the-shoulder visibility, but this issue is aptly overcome with parking sensors featured on the front and rear end of this SUV. A standard back-camera for reversing is available as a standard feature on the ‘Portfolio’ and ‘S versions’ and an optional one on ‘Prestige’ and ‘R-Sport’ trims. This makes reversing the car easier. Optional 360-degree camera and a self-parking system are also available.
An 8.0” touchscreen interface is another standard feature of the F-Pace. It incorporates a USB socket, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, DAB radio, and an inbuilt Wi-Fi hotspot. You can sync it with your phone to run a wide variety of apps.
Upgrade your SUVs infotainment system to the ‘In-Control Touch Pro system’ for a top of the class luxury experience. It has a 10.2” screen, wider than the standard system, an extra USB socket, a more advanced satellite navigation, and a 10GB hard drive. The great thing about this system is that its touch-screen responds quicker than the standard system.
An ‘In-Control secure system’ and a digital TV are also available on the optional list of features for this SUV. The security system through your smartphone allows you to track your SUV’s location. It has an 80W sound system that can be upgraded to an astounding Meridian surround option of 825W.
Space and Practicality
Space is not an issue with the Jaguar F-Pace, whether it is leg room or head room, the F-Pace is unbelievably roomy for everyone.
There are reasonable storage spaces in the front door and in the central console as well as beneath the front armrest.
The rear seats can be reclined electrically and are a great option available to those who might fancy such an upgrade to their SUV. Height can be adjusted for the front passenger seat on all models. Optional electric adjustment to the front passenger seat is also available.
The rear windows are not exactly huge which is why the cabin is not very well lit. A standard rear armrest with a few cup holders is available on all models.
Boot Space
The Jaguar F-Pace boasts an enormous 650 liters of boot space. Jaguar claims this is the largest boot available in comparison to all competitors. Although the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the BMW X3 have almost the same usable boot space as well.
A powered tailgate is a standard feature, while a ‘gesture’ tailgate is on the options list. You simply have to wave your foot under the rear bumper and the boot opens automatically. Once the back seats are folded down, the boot becomes a flatly extended load bay to slide in longer loads. Other optional features of the boot include a load space partition net and luggage rails on the boot floor.
Standard features for all F-Pace SUVs include an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, hill-start assist, paddle shifters, and an automatic stop-start system.
There are two engine choices.
- A supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine is sported by the 35t AWD models which produce 340 horsepower and a torque of 332 pound-feet except in the First Edition and S models, where 380 horsepower is produced. Torque is the same. According to estimates by Jaguar, the base tune will result in a 0-60-mph time of 5.4 seconds, and 5.1 seconds in the case of the S model. Fuel economy is 20 mpg combined. As compared to its competitors that feature far less powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines, this is much lower. It is about the same as the Porsche Macan S.
- The 20d AWD models have a 2.0-liter turbodiesel that produces 180 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque. This is typical for such an engine. Jaguar estimates that it will go from zero to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, which is slow but similar to the diesel-powered BMW X3.
Safety
This SUV comes with automatic emergency braking and assistance with lane-keeping. These features are standard on the R-Sport and S models. Parking sensors and a back camera are a standard feature available on all F-Pace models except the basic F-Pace. Traction control and stability, antilock braking system, side curtain airbags along the length of the SUV as well as side airbags in the front are standard safety features of all F-Pace Jaguar SUVs. It comes with a warning mechanism that identifies blind spots. It is a standard feature on the R-Sport and S models and available as an option for the Premium and Prestige models. It also features a reverse traffic warning mechanism.
All in all, the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace is an all-rounder SUV, beauty combined with loads of practicality and provides great value for money. Though it cannot match the Acura RDX’s value, it has the elegance of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and aptly challenges the Porsche Macan driving experience.