78 |AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
J
aguar’s F-Pace’s mostly
aluminium body draws on
the basic elements of Jaguar’s
XE and XF sedans. Size-wise,
the F-Pace is something of an
in-betweenie. It’s larger than a
BMW X3, for example, but not as
big as an X5.
It’s certainly spacious enough
to be a very useful family wagon.
The 650-litre cargo compartment
is a whopper and the rear seat,
which features a three-piece
folding backrest, is roomy.
F-Pace prices begin at
$76,410 for the 132kW 2.0-litre
turbodiesel four Prestige, with
rear-wheel drive. The 221kW
3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel all-
wheel drive range opens at
$90,345 for the Prestige.
Petrol models open with the
184kW 2.0-litre rear-wheel
drive Prestige, at $76,778. The
221kW, all-wheel drive variant
starts at $85,843.
The supercharged 280kW
3.0-litre V6 all-wheel drive is
priced at $107,823.
When compared to the smaller
but more expensive Porsche
Macan, a natural rival, Jaguar’s
fi rst SUV looks priced for success.
Though bulkier than other
middleweight premium SUVs, the
F-Pace has been skilfully styled.
It’s a very good-looking SUV
indeed. At least from the outside.
Inside, the F-Pace is less
persuasive. The instrument
panel, which features a broad
landscape-oriented touchscreen
for its infotainment system, is
plain to look at and lacks the
visual quality provided by its
mostly German opposition. An
updated system, with a 10 inch
touchscreen, is due for 2019.
F-Pace’s party trick is
the optional Activity Key, a
waterproof wristband with an
integrated transponder that
allows you to leave your keys
securely in the vehicle when
you don’t want to take them
with you — if you’re going for a
swim or a surf, for example. The
transponder locks the vehicle
and temporarily disables the
key fob, so until you return it
can’t be started.To drive, the F-Pace is among
the best in class. Suspension
set-up varies according to
model grade; softer for basic
Prestige and posh Portfolio,
fi rmer for the R-Sport and high-
power S variants.
All blend ride comfort and
handling agility with rare skill.
For the Australian market,
all F-Pace models come
standard with an eight-speed
automatic transmission.
Jaguar collaborated with sister
company Land Rover on the
AWD set-up and although its
drivetrain is high range only, the
F-Pace has a decent degree of
off-road ability, arguably more
than its German rivals.
The 3.0-litre supercharged V6
petrol engine is the same unit
used in the F-Type sports car and
XE and XF sedans.
It endows the F-Pace with
serious go forward. The 280kW
variant accelerates from
0–100km/h in just 5.5 seconds,
which is at the pointy end of the
SUV spectrum.Many buyers will ignore the
heavy drinking petrol engines
and head straight for the more
effi cient diesels, which are both
excellent. The V6 is smooth,
quiet and muscular.
While the four isn’t as suave,
it delivers perfectly adequate
performance, superior economy
and, because it weighs less,
slightly better handling.
The F-Pace has standard
autonomous emergency braking
and adaptive cruise control in all
equipment grades.
Jaguar is owned by the same
Indian conglomerate as Land
Rover, and the F-Pace is also
available with a Range Rover
badge in the shape of the Velar.
In this class, Porsche’s
Macan is far and away the best
drive, but it’s on the small side.
Volvo’s XC60 is the best family
wagon and good value too, as is
the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.By John CareyJAGUAR F-PACE FROM $76,410
THINGS WE LIKE
Comfortable ride and tidy handling
Muscular, frugal turbodiesels
Potent supercharged petrol V6
Rear seat and cargo space
Solid and well built
Sharply priced, especially
Prestige variants
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
^ Dull, plain dash styling
^ Limited front-seat knee room
^ High, hard rear seat centre position
^ Supercharged petrol V6 is thirstySPEX (3.0d Prestige) (^) Made in England
(^) 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel/eight-speed
automatic/all-wheel drive
(^) 221kW of power at 4000rpm/700Nm
of torque at 2000rpm
(^) 0–100km/h in 6.2 seconds (claimed)
(^) 5.6L/100km highway; 6.9L/100km
city; CO 2 emissions are 159g/km;
fuel tank is 66 litres
(^) Max towing weight 2400kg
(^) Warranty: Three years/unlimited
kilometres
(^) Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, 19-inch alloy wheels, partial
leather upholstery, Meridian audio,
eight-inch touch screen, parking
sensors, Bluetooth with voice control,
navigation, power tailgate, automatic
emergency braking, lane departure
warning, tyre pressure monitoring,
camera, space saver spare
(^) Redbook future values: 3yr: 57%;
5yr: 43%
Safety
Not yet tested
Performance
Handling
Quality and reliability
Comfort and refi nement
Value for money
Overall
compare with ...
Alfa Stelvio, Audi Q5, Mercedes
GLC, Porsche Macan, Volvo XC60
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