2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible Test Drive Review: Party Animal

The 2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible is showing its age but still remains one of the most underrated luxury sports cars on the market. On its appearance alone, it comes across as an aggressive performance car, but in reality, it's a well-mannered sporty GT with a massive dose of style that will never get old. For 2022 (its eighth year on the market), just a single engine option exists. Gone are the four-cylinder and supercharged V6 from the American lineup, and in their place reside a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 available in two states of tune. As tested here, the P450 spec produces 444 horsepower, sent to either the rear wheels or all corners, while an R version (reviewed separately) dials things up to 575 hp. There's no row-your-own gearbox, with only an eight-speed automatic handling things on your behalf. Don't let this dissuade you; the F-Type is agile and feels right at home on a mountain pass. But eight years in, with much newer offerings like the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible and the Porsche 911 Cabriolet in the fray, is the new high-value V8 a stroke of genius against such accomplished competition, or an attempt to keep an aging dinosaur relevant? The answer is a combination of both.

F-Type Convertible Exterior

We love the styling refresh that debuted for 2021. Upfront there are slimmer LED headlights dominating the snout and flank a slightly larger grille. The F-Type's clamshell hood has also been revised to further enhance the sleeker look. Combined with the new front bumpers, the convertible's front end looks remarkably fresh considering the car's age. The rear bumper has also been redesigned and four exhaust outlets poke out from the diffuser. The R-Dynamic is distinguishable by its unique exterior body kit and other R-Dynamic styling details.

We drove the new "entry-level" P450 which rests on five-spoke 20-inch wheels, while the R-Dynamic gets model-specific six-split-spoke 20-inch wheels, as well as auto-dimming, power-folding exterior mirrors. If you were already a fan of the F-Type's design (and who isn't?) then these styling enhancements will surely please once again.

Dimensions

In terms of size, the Jaguar F-Type is bookended by the Chevrolet Stingray C8 and the Porsche 718 Spyder. The British sports car has a total length of 176 inches and a 103.2-inch wheelbase. It measures 74.2 inches from side to side with the mirrors folded and has a height of 51.5 inches from the ground up. The RWD P450 has a curb weight of 3,760 pounds, while the AWD R-Dynamic increases the total weight to 3,920 lbs.

F-Type Convertible Performance

Engine and Transmission

Jaguar now makes only one engine option available for the 2022 F-Type Convertible lineup. The base trim comes standard with a detuned version of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine from the F-Type R - a model we review separately. This engine develops 444 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, the latter available in a broad swathe from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. The performance stats for both RWD and AWD models are the same: 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. Its Corvette rival comes with a more powerful 490-hp standard engine and costs around $5,000 less - but with no AWD option. Whether driving the rear wheels only or all four, the same eight-speed automatic transmission is used.

The F-Type truly shines as a grand tourer, especially the convertible. We spent a few hours driving a P450 droptop in the mountains outside of Los Angeles and enjoyed the V8's symphony. It's definitely loud, especially when hitting the throttle for quick accelerations. Jaguar added something called Quiet Start which, as the name implies, helps tone things down so you don't annoy non-car-loving neighbors. The system can be turned off by opting for the Dynamic driving mode or by pressing the exhaust button located on the center console.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The F-Type begs to be driven. Combined with strong acceleration, the P450 boasts plenty of grip, nice sound isolation when the top is up, and powerful brakes. There's very little body lean in tight corners but we would have liked to have had more precise and tighter steering feel. Unfortunately, while the V8 may sound great, the extra weight over the nose changes how the F-Type feels compared to the old, nimble V6 version.

In general, the P450's strong and smooth acceleration and RWD handling fun provide the bulk of its driving charm. Despite its mild state of tune, the V8 makes for a very rewarding experience from behind the wheel. It runs to 60 mph from a standstill in a claimed 4.4 seconds and eagerly responds in Dynamic mode. The AWD is no faster, but it provides additional stability and traction, something highly desirable for owners who might experience adverse weather conditions.

F-Type Convertible Gas Mileage

It goes without saying that there isn't such a thing as a thrifty F-Type left, now that it has gone V8-only. The RWD P450 returns EPA estimates of 17/24/19 mpg city/highway/combined while the AWD R-Dynamic returns 16/24/18 mpg. Compare this to the Porsche 718 Boxster S which has a similar price and identical performance figures to the P450 with its 19/25/22 mpg estimates. When the 18.5-gallon fuel tank is full, you can expect around 333 to 351 miles of range.

F-Type Convertible Interior

Seating and Interior Space

In the land of two-door sports cars, space and comfort are usually not the main focus. That being said, the F-Type handles two adult occupants very well. The seats are comfortable enough for long trips and offer six-way power-adjustability with optional 12-way memory seats and six-footers will feel right at home. Regardless of the number of seating positions offered, the seats wrap around you without being too firm. They're ideal for long-distance driving. Jaguar claims that the cabin provides 42.8 inches of legroom, making it a dream for taller drivers and passengers, but it's worth noting that the backrests get more upright as the seat slides back. Also worth noting is the footwells are narrow, making the sports car feel rather snug.

While the cabin saw a vast number of updates for the new year including details like a new satin-chrome trim finish, the plastic shift paddles on the steering wheel feel flimsy and too cheap at this price point.

F-Type Convertible Trunk and Cargo Space

While its coupe relative offers nearly double the cargo space, its convertible stablemate shrinks its real estate down to just 7.3 cubes. While this is enough to accommodate a small suitcase or a few duffel bags, you simply can't expect more from it. The Stingray's 12.6 cubes greatly outshine the F-Type, and even the physically smaller 718 Boxster has more total space with 9.6 cubes, with the caveat that this total is split over two separate compartments. As for in-cabin storage, the F-Type allows for keys and wallets via slim door pockets and a central storage compartment allows for enough room for a smartphone. The glovebox isn't particularly generous, either.

Features

The F-Type isn't all that well-endowed with features from its base form upwards, and the entry-level P450 has lost the 12-way power-adjustable front seats that even the base 2.0-liter car had last year; this is now six-way. At least the steering column is still power-adjustable but the climate control is just single-zone and you have to pay extra for dual-zone. Push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, and cruise control with a speed limiter are standard, along with remote access. If you want more luxury, you'll have to pay extra for features like heated seats, with neither ventilated seats nor ambient lighting even listed as options anymore this year. As for safety features, the standard list includes four airbags, a rear camera, front and rear park sensors, and lane keep assist as well as traffic sign recognition and an adaptive speed limiter. The list is bolstered further with emergency brake assist and valet mode. Additional available safety features include park assist, blind-spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Infotainment

For 2022, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster remains and offers three display themes. The central infotainment system has a 10-inch touchscreen hosting the intuitive Touch Pro software. The system enables full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and software-over-the-air functionality. Bluetooth streaming, HD Radio, and SiriusXM functionality are standard features, and a standard USB port can be found in the center console. Navigation is also standard, and audio is brought to life via a 380-watt 10-speaker Meridian sound system, though a 770-watt 12-speaker setup is additionally available.

F-Type Convertible Problems and Reliability

Both the 2021 and 2022 models have been the victim of the same recall - an automatic seat-belt retractor that may malfunction. This only affects 5,146 units across both years and includes several F-Pace and XF models, too. Warranty coverage is billed under Jaguar's EliteCar service, which includes a limited warranty spanning five years/60,000 miles, a matching powertrain warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance, and paint and corrosion protection.

Warranty

F-Type Convertible Safety

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has reviewed the 2022 F-Type convertible, but the standard safety features are enough to quell most concerns. As standard, the F-Type Convertible comes with four airbags (dual front and side), a rearview camera, and front and rear park sensors. The impressive list continues with lane keep assist followed by traffic sign recognition, an adaptive speed limiter, emergency brake assist, and valet mode. Optionally available features include blind-spot monitoring, park assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Verdict: Is the 2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible A Good Car?

The redesigned 2021 F-Type was a huge step in the right direction for an aging vehicle. The already stunning exterior design made the styling tweaks a relatively easy process. While we're sad to see the midrange supercharged V6 forced into retirement, we can't say the same for the entry-level turbo four. A stunning two-seater like the F-Type deserves a powerful engine, full stop. JLR has compensated us with the V6's loss with a standard 444-hp supercharged V8, but we can't help but feel the characterful soundtrack comes at the expense of the V6's sharper handling dynamics.

The new $74,500 base price for the P450 improves the bang-for-your-buck ratio and the F-Type performs strongly; partially attributable to the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, which is an ideal partner for the robust V8. It's an attractive proposition among the contenders in the segment, despite its relative age. Others may have more power, but they lack the F-Type's character. Other's may be sportier, but the F-Type has adapted well to age, maturing to become an exciting GT car rather than an outright hoon-fest. The newfound maturity won't suit everyone, but it ensures the F-Type still has a place in the sports car market in 2022.

What's the Price of the 2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible?

Some may view the price of the F-Type as one of its downfalls, especially when it is compared to the 718 Boxster S and the Corvette. The base model has a starting MSRP of $74,500. Add AWD and the accompanying R-Dynamic kit, and the price takes a jump to $84,700, about on par with the previous V6 S. All prices are exclusive of the $1,150 destination fee.

What Jaguar F-Type Convertible Model Should I Buy?

There's only one engine to choose from, which now simplifies the process, leaving the big choice between RWD or AWD. Opting for the latter adds the subtle R-Dynamic styling package, improved front seats, and power-folding exterior mirrors, which aren't must-have items, so most of your additional $10,000 goes to the AWD system. If you must have AWD, this is the one to have and gives it a leg up on the Boxster and Stingray that don't offer the feature. But if you don't, the standard RWD model is better. Not only does it come in at a competitive price, but considering the soundtrack and performance on offer, plus the traditional RWD dynamics, it feels like the more traditional droptop sports car.

We'd be tempted to add the $1,150 Climate Pack, especially because at this price, dual-zone climate control is a must-have, and another $1,000 gets you those 12-way power seats, which brings us to a total of $78,200 including destination. In the world of foreign-built exotics, that's actually something of a bargain. The least expensive Porsche 911 Carrera convertible can't be had for less than $114,000.

2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible vs Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

The two sports cars in question share some similarities but ultimately have very different goals. While they both boast rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the American-bred convertible boasts a far higher power output of 490 horsepower and packs an extra 42 lb-ft more torque than the F-Type. Despite the engine being behind the cabin, it even boasts a far more practical cargo area that stretches 12.6 cubic feet. It weighs less and gets more standard features, which makes this sound very one-sided. All of it sounds too good to be true, but it isn't. The Corvette is nearly $5,000 cheaper than the base F-Type, and while it may lack some of the luxurious feel of the Jag, it's an undeniably logical conclusion to come to that it's superior in every other objective way.

2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible vs Porsche 718 Boxster

The Porsche 718 Boxster S is a logical rival to the F-Type, with a starting price just $100 more than the big British bruiser. But the German is far more driver-oriented than the F-Type and delivers identical performance figures, despite a lower power output of only 350 hp to the Jaguar's 444 hp. The German sports car also comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission while the British counterpart favors an eight-speed automatic transmission. The downside is that it all comes from a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which lacks all the aural drama of the big supercharged V8 you'll find in the Jag. If you can overlook this, the 718 is simply impeccable, with excellent handling dynamics, praisable steering feel, and a much, much classier interior with higher quality materials. You'll have to live with the absence of all-wheel drive in the Porsche and the flat-four sounds anodyne, but the superb handling makes this hard to consider as a sacrifice. Comfort levels in the 718 are great and the infotainment system is a boon. Basically, the Porsche should be your first choice.