2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Performance

The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR uses SVO's favored power plant - a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to this meaty output, along with a slick eight-speed automatic and a capable all-wheel-drive system, the SVR can sprint from 0-60 mph in as little as 4.1 seconds according to independent test drives, with top speed at 176 mph. This is a top speed it shares with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SV, its direct competition, but that vehicle accelerates harder, completing the sprint from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds. The F-Pace SVR is more than just an SUV with a big engine thrown in - the front and rear springs have been stiffened and bigger brakes are included too. The exhaust system on this model is also a switchable active system, allowing you to listen to the pure supercharged roar of the V8 or keep it dignified for the school run. In addition, the F-Pace SVR can tow up to 5,291 lbs.

The F-Pace SVR's engine is one that is fitted to most of the Jaguar Land Rover group's high-performance models. With 550 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, it's not difficult to understand why they have such a fondness for this power plant. The guttural growl is an addictive noise, but the performance is far more impressive. Throttle response is good, and it's unlikely that you'll line up next to many other SUVs on the school run that can take off from a traffic light the way this thing can. The shove in your back is strong and comes into play when you're on the freeway too, making the process of overtaking some annoying little hatchback a simple one. The power is always there and always progressive, depending on how aggressively you stab the throttle with your right foot.

The gearbox is similarly good, with the ZF unit offering smooth and silky shifts when you're taking it easy. In sportier settings, the gears are held onto for longer, allowing you to rev the big V8 out. When it's time for the next gear, it's presented quickly, making for continual and fluid progress. Slowing down brings well-timed downshifts too, but if you'd rather not let the gearchanges be handled automatically, you can take manual control via the steering mounted paddles, and these offer swift and crisp responses.

Jaguar claims that the F-Pace SVR achieves gas mileage figures of 16/21/18 mpg on the EPA's city/highway/combined cycles. With a 21.7-gallon gas tank, this gives it an estimated range of around 390 miles with mixed driving. In comparison, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio achieves official figures of 17/23/19 mpg on the same cycles. However, the Alfa has a smaller, 16.9-gallon gas tank, which gives it an average range of only around 321 miles.