by Deiondre van der Merwe
It may take you at least two days to explain to your significant other why it's a sensible decision to toss half of your child's college fund at an SUV. The Jaguar F-Pace will speak for itself if you let it, and convincingly, too, thanks to modern technology, an excellent interior, and class-leading trunk space. The SUV manages to strike the coveted balance between sportiness and practicality, and drivers are guaranteed to grin behind the wheel of the F-Pace, powered by the punchy mid-range 2.0-liter turbo engine. Cheek-pain-inducing smiles are a side effect of the supercharged 3.0-liter V6, so be sure to read the fine print before you venture into that expensive but rewarding territory. Still, subpar fuel economy and slightly temperamental ride quality are flaws the F-Pace comes with, and the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 aren't letting it off the hook that easily.
For 2020, Jaguar has added two new limited editions to the lineup, and one of them is the 300 Sport. It gets the more powerful engine and upgraded exterior styling in the way of some added dark grey bits. This edition also gets more premium materials for the interior and some extra standard features. The Checkered Flag Special Edition is equipped with the base engine and gets gloss black accents for the outside, as well as some unique elements on the inside. Jaguar has also added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features to all models.
The most affordable model in the new Jaguar F-Pace lineup would be the base model equipped with the 25t engine, and it has an MSRP of $45,200. Moving up to the Premium equipped with the same engine sees the base price rise to $47,800 and equipping the 30t engine to this model brings the price up to $50,800. Prestige models with the base engine have an asking price of $52,200, and equipping the more powerful engine results in an MSRP of $55,200. Opting for the R-Sport with the timid engine means you'll pay $56,500 to purchase one, and this model with the 30t engine will cost $59,500. The Checkered Flag and 300 Sport models are special editions, and the former has an MSRP of $58,400 while the latter costs $62,000. S models are exclusively available with a V6 engine and have an MSRP of $62,100. The top of the range Portfolio model is solely available with the more powerful 2.0-liter turbo and has a final asking price of $63,600.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
25t |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$45,200 |
25t Premium |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$47,800 |
30t Premium |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$50,800 |
25t Prestige |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$52,200 |
30t Prestige |
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$55,200 |
Here's the thing about sporty SUVs: they paint a pretty picture of a car that's powerful enough to incite a warm feeling in one's insides without compromising on the space needed to get the kids to school comfortably. While the Jag delivers on both ends, small sacrifices have to be made. The British SUV effortlessly tackles a twisty road, with not a bit of lean or hesitation present from behind the wheel, despite its large and hefty dimensions, thanks to intentional firming of the suspension. This comes with the sacrifice of comfort, and though the F-Pace can never be called crashy, it's a little jarring on rougher surfaces. Ride quality progressively worsens as bigger wheels are opted for, so if your roads aren't up to scratch, you'd be better off sticking to a thicker sidewall. The runt of the engine range does well in the city, and isn't particularly sluggish, but the more energetic 2.0-liter turbo is worth opting for. It offers punchy performance when you're running errands, and makes a quick meal of getting to top speeds, merging onto highways, and overtaking slower cars. Things get truly riveting in the S model that plays host to an eager V6 for the performance-conscious. The combination of raw power and sharp steering that's rich in feedback makes this model the most engaging of them all, and when you're behind the wheel, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine a better place to spend your time.
The F-Pace offers one of the most engaging driving experiences in the segment, and has a pretty face to match. Jaguar mixes a perfect recipe of great handling and practical interior space, sticks the F-Pace in the oven, and out comes a sporty utilitarian. While it has its flaws that include subpar fuel economy figures and potentially harsh ride quality, the pros far outweigh the cons, and the Jag can be a thing of dreams if you have the budget for it. That's another factor that the F-Pace has to contend with: prices for mid-range models are sky high and surpass the price tags of rivals, so the British SUV has to work that much harder to prove its worth. It puts up a good fight with a generous suite of safety features, modern technology, and a premium interior, but the cabin falls slightly behind its German rivals. The saving grace of the F-Pace is undoubtedly the performance from both of the more powerful engines that make it truly enjoyable from behind the wheel. This SUV is a great buy if you have the money to spend.
The Prestige is probably the best model to go for if you aren't interested in the lofty price tag of the higher trims. It offers a great balance between the right number of standard features for the money, and we'd opt for the more powerful 30t engine. We would also recommend opting for the Technology Pack for the digital instrument cluster and upgraded sound system as well as the Driver Assistance Pack that bolsters the list of safety features significantly. One thing to keep in mind is that the packages can compound on the Jaguar F-Pace's price quickly, so be cautious when it's time to spec the model of your choice.
In a comparison of these two SUVs, you can immediately tell that they share quite a bit of DNA. This is also true in terms of mechanics, and both offer the same base 2.0-liter turbo and more powerful 2.0-liter four-pot options for specific trims, the only difference being that the F-Pace offers a 3.0-liter V6 engine that's absent from the E-Pace lineup. At base level, the F-Pace is slightly more expensive than the E-Pace, but is also arguably more luxurious than the latter, thanks to the use of more premium materials and a bigger infotainment screen. One of the key differences between the two SUVs is that the F-Pace offers more cargo space and the 33.5 cubic-foot trunk outshines the E-Pace's 24.2 cubes. They share similar fuel economy figures, which is impressive, given that the F-Pace is bigger. The F-Pace is the superior Jaguar product of the two.
Both of these SUVs are powered by turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pots that produce similar power outputs, and though the Q5 is heavier, it manages the same combined EPA figure of 24 mpg as the F-Pace. While the outside of the F-Pace is bigger, the inside of the Q5 offers more space for both the driver and passengers. That being said, the Jaguar offers a large 33.5 cubic-foot trunk, while the four-ringed contender manages a total trunk space of 25.1 cubes. It'll come down to personal preference for many shoppers, but we prefer the interior of the Q5 as it's more modern and tech-focused, but the F-Pace trails closely behind thanks to its premium materials. Another thing that separates the F-Pace from a typical SUV would be its engaging drive and superior road manners. If we look at both of them overall, the F-Pace takes the cake.
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