2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Review: Defying The Clock
We live in a world where Honda Civic Type Rs can lap the Suzuka Circuit faster than a Ferrari F50, and Ford Mustang's push out over 700 horsepower from the factory. While this insane power struggle continues, many sports car manufacturers look towards other ways of entertaining, and the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe has found a real sweet niche. It's not as sharp as competitors like the Porsche 911 Carrera and America's sweetheart, the Chevrolet Corvette, but it doesn't have to be. It looks better, and its 567-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine sounds better than most, while a rear-biased AWD system and automatic gearbox help you put the power down and look like a hero on your way to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. If you look and sound good enough, you've won half the battle. The F-Type R Coupe has some small niggles, such as an unintuitive infotainment system and bad rear visibility, but who really cares when you're blasting down your favorite canyon road? It's been with us for a few years now, but as far as sports cars go, there's an old-school allure to the F-Type that not even time can diminish.
What's the Price of the 2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe?
You'll pay slightly more than the MSRP of a new Porsche 911 Carrera to get behind the wheel of the F-Type. The price of the 2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe starts at $105,300 for this stylish coupe, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,150. Fully loaded, the R's asking price will easily sail past $140,000.
2022 F-Type R Coupe Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 176.0 in | 103.2 in | 51.6 in | 74.2 in | 62.4 in | 64.1 in | 3,920.0 lbs |
2022 F-Type R Coupe Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The R Coupe is the fastest and most powerful F-Type on offer, so it should come as no surprise that it loves to devour corners at incredible speeds. Last year's car received a few updates to its suspension setup and electronic diff, which made a big difference in the handling balance of this car, and the 2022 F-Type R Coupe feels as tight as ever. With an advanced rear-biased all-wheel-drive system and adaptive dampers guiding you along, it feels planted and grippy even when you're pushing it to its limits (which most will never do). The steering feel isn't that of the original hydraulic setup, but is still impressive for an EPAS setup and is remarkably precise. The F-Type R Coupe loves to hunker down in sweeping bends and rocket out of corners with incredible pace. Switch over to R Dynamic mode, and everything gets even tighter and more responsive. In and around town, however, the suspension can be set to a more comfortable setting, turning this wild jungle cat into a tamer beast. That being said, the ride quality isn't GT-like and there are more comfortable cruisers out there.
2022 F-Type R Coupe Interior
2022 F-Type R Coupe Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 6 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe A Good car?
It should be noted from the outset that the 2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe isn't the sharpest driver's car in its class. If you want something that can set blistering lap times, get a Porsche 911, and if you want something quicker and better balanced, a new Mercedes-AMG GT is on the way soon while the C8 Corvette is a 'budget' sports car that can go toe-to-toe with this big cat. That being said, the F-Type R Coupe is still a massively fast car, and most owners will never come close to pushing it to its limits. It shines on the road, where it's dangerously easy to drive fast thanks to its adaptive suspension setup and AWD drivetrain. The supercharged 5.0L V8 engine sounds like no other V8s around today and is reason enough to buy this British sports car, never mind the drop-dead gorgeous looks. The interior is stylish and comfortable, if a bit cramped, and the infotainment system could do with a bit of work, but these niggles will never be enough to keep us away from this sexy cat that prioritizes the experience over objective brilliance.
What Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Model Should I Buy?
There's only a single model on offer, so the options list will become your best friend. If we were buying, we'd spec our F-Type R Coupe in British Racing Green with the Exterior Black Design Pack and the optional Style 5061 split-spoke wheels. Inside, we'd stick with the standard black leather upholstery. For added safety, we'd also go for the Blind Spot Assist Pack, which adds blind-spot assistance and a rear traffic monitor. Our build totals $112,350 including the destination charge.
2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Comparisons
2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe vs Jaguar F-Type R Convertible
The coupe body style has always been considered the quintessential sports car shape, and in the case of the R Coupe, it looks absolutely stunning, but what if you're less concerned with body rigidity and performance? You drop the top, of course! The Jaguar F-Type R Convertible offers the same visceral experience as the R Coupe but adds that wind-in-your-hair experience that always helps to add to the drama. Performance is slightly stunted due to the extra weight, but thankfully the 0-60 mph sprint time is unchanged. The trunk size takes a natural hit, but that supercharged V8 engine sounds even better when the roof goes missing. The F-Type R isn't meant to be a razor-sharp track tool, so you might as well drop the roof and have even more fun.
2022 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe vs Porsche 911 Carrera
The Porsche 911 Carrera is one of the most famous names in sports car history, and going up against it in any configuration is always a daunting task for any other sports car brand. The 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera is more capable than ever, and even in base form, its 379-horsepower output affords it massive performance. We think the Carrera S is the perfect balance of performance and price, and with 443 hp and 390 lb-ft on tap, it will scramble to 60 mph in only 3.3 seconds and top out at over 190 mph, provided it's equipped with the PDK dual-clutch automatic and the Sport Chrono Package. The Porsche 911 Carrera is the sharpest driver's car in this class and is also a pleasure to live with on a daily basis. Our only critique is that it's not as exciting to look at and doesn't sound as good as the Jaguar, two elements of critical importance, but it still gets our vote at the end of the day.