2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

With a base price of $86,600, the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is priced competitively in a corner of the market where the MSRP regularly exceed the $100k mark. The smaller Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio will set you back $84,650, and the base model BMW X3 M comes in at a much cheaper $70,100. Fully loaded, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR's price can reach close to $105,000. That doesn't include a destination charge of $1,275.

Performance SUVs in this class have not only become ridiculously fast but have also morphed into excellent handling machines, despite obvious weight penalties, so it will come as a surprise to many test driving the Jaguar F-Pace SVR that this big cat is actually a big softy. The steering is light, and it glides over bumps and road imperfections. Even the throttle response feels extremely linear, to the point where it almost feels unresponsive. This is perfectly fine for the daily commute, but if you're after a bit more performance, you'll have to play around with the driving modes. We found that Dynamic mode livens things up nicely and results in a car that responds to throttle inputs with glee and a transmission that goes from smooth to aggressive shifting. The exhaust also opens up to let that supercharged V8 sing, which adds greatly to the overall experience. The SVR isn't the sharpest of the lot; Porsche's family of performance SUVs are sharper-handling vehicles, but this Jaguar isn't far off and makes up for its softer dynamics with that burly engine.

In the race to offer the best performance SUV, many manufacturers have started to take things too seriously. These cars will very rarely, if ever, see a racetrack, yet many brands insist on building vehicles with stiff suspension, taught chassis setups, and a focus on all-out performance that will go unappreciated by the vast majority of owners. This is where the Jaguar F-Pace SVR shines: it's not the sharpest or fastest, but it's amazingly comfortable, more than capable of entertaining, and comes with a glorious supercharged V8 engine. The F-Pace might be getting on in years, but the 2022 SVR still looks and feels fresh and comes with all the modern amenities you'd expect to see in this price range. Competitors such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV are more fun to drive at the limit, and any Porsche SUV with a 'Turbo' badge on the back is going to be significantly more expensive. The SVR is a winner, thanks to its rounded approach.

With only one model to choose from, the choice is simple: choose a color you like, add a few optional extras, and Bob's your uncle. If we had the privilege of purchasing one of these machines ourselves, it would have to be painted British Racing Green, and we'd add the Black Exterior Pack and 22-inch forged alloy wheels. On the inside, we'd add the premium cabin lighting and Park Assist system. Our total build cost comes to $95,175 including destination.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is all the proof you need that a crossover SUV can handle really, really well. This Italian sports machine might be family-friendly and offers more cargo space than a Ferrari, but it sure doesn't feel like it. The Stelvio is powered by a 2.9-liter V6 engine producing 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and it sprints to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. It looks the part too and is arguably better looking than the Brit. However, although the Alfa's cabin is stunning too, it can't match the Jaguar for comfort, convenience, and cargo capacity. If you're looking for fun first and family second, we recommend taking the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio for a test drive, but in this comparison, we'd still take the Jaguar..

The BMW X5 M is larger, more expensive, and a more performance-focused competitor, but sometimes that's not the be-all and end-all. BMW's range of X5 SUVs has always been a benchmark for dynamic SUVs, and the X5 M is the best yet. This is a full-blown sports car hiding under an SUV body, and believe us, it's seriously capable. With up to 617 hp on offer, the BMW X5 M will sprint to 60 mph in as little as 3.7 seconds and will top out at 177 mph. The BMW is a larger car but still feels like the more capable handler, but in the same breath, it can't match the Jaguar for comfort and can feel somewhat clinical at times. Starting at well over $100,000, the BMW is also seriously expensive. We think the Jaguar is the more balanced option, and at the price, it's hard to beat.