F-Type Coupe

Make
Jaguar
Segment
Coupe

It may not be the mid-engine successor we've been hearing about but the facelifted 2021 Jaguar F-Type just debuted and it is noticeably different than the outgoing model. Jaguar has given its flagship sports car a new face, rear end, interior, and various improvements under the hood in a bid to keep it relevant in an increasingly diminishing sports car segment. We should stress that this 2021 F-Type is not all-new, meaning it may not be worth an upgrade depending on what you look for in a sports car. Here is a breakdown of what's new in the 2021 facelift to help buyers better decide.

Styling: Still Beautiful, Just Different

It is pretty simple to spot the new F-Type from the front via its slimmer LED headlight design, new front bumper, and new hexagonal mesh grille pattern. In the back, the changes are slightly less noticeable but Jaguar has slimmed down the taillights and made alterations to the rear bumper. There will surely be people out there who prefer the original design but we feel this new update looks different enough without upsetting the car's natural beauty. It also worth noting all of the photos Jaguar has released of the car show the most potent R model, so we have yet to see what it will look like in lesser trim levels.

Interior: Familiar But Nicer

You could easily be mistaken for thinking Jaguar didn't change any details on the interior because the cabin layout has remained the same. But if you look closely, the dashboard now houses Jaguar's Touch Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen, which recently became standard on the previous F-Type. What's completely new for this 2021 model is a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, which replaces the traditional analog gauges and can display three unique themes as well as a full map. Some buyers may prefer the look of the traditional gauges but the digital display should make the F-Type feel more usable and technologically advanced inside.

Engines: Plenty of Choice

Jaguar has been offering a variety of engines in the F-Type for several years now and this hasn't changed with the 2021 model. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder still acts as the base engine with 296 horsepower, motivating the car to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds. The R Dynamic still uses a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 (despite rumors that this engine would be discontinued) producing 380 hp going out to all-wheel-drive only.

As with the V6, the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 model only sends power to AWD through an eight-speed automatic. It now produces 575 hp (25 more than last year's model) and hits 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. To no one's surprise, none of these new trim levels come with a manual transmission because Jaguar offered it and hardly anyone bought it.

Pricing: What's It Going To Cost?

Pricing for the 2021 F-Type has yet to be revealed but we expect it to remain close to the outgoing model. This would mean starting prices of around $61,600 for the four-cylinder, $87,300 for the V6, and $101,800 for the V8 (all prices reflect the coupe and would be about $3,000 more in convertible guise). Jaguar will also sell a Launch Edition based on the V6 R-Dynamic for the first model year only, which should add a bit more to the price. These prices would make the F-Type more expensive than the Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman but those cars come with less standard equipment and would be more expensive when equipped with options.

Is It Worth The Upgrade?

The changes to the 2021 F-Type feel more evolutionary than revolutionary, so it likely won't compel too many current F-Type owners to upgrade, especially if you are one of the lucky few who purchased the rare manual transmission model. But if you own one of the early F-Type models with the last-generation infotainment system, upgrading to this new model with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might be worth it. When compared to other models in the segment like the Porsche 718, the BMW Z4, and the Chevrolet Corvette, we don't think the facelift has done much to change where the F-Type fits in the market. It's still a handsome British sports car with an amazing exhaust note and everyday usability.