2019 Jaguar F-Pace Review: Prestige 25t
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- Verdict
- Does it make sense to buy an elite two-wheel drive SUV? Do you care? Let us know about it in the comments.
Jaguar's first foray into SUVs was the F-Pace. A strange name, but built on a brand new aluminum platform, this is an impressive machine. More impressive is the fact that the vast majority of them now use Jaguar's own Ingenium engines - sometimes with astounding power - for the 2.0-litre turbo.
F-Pace has been with us for several years now and holds its own in a very busy part of the market. People are always surprised when you tell them the price - they seem to expect it to be six figures, but look pleasantly surprised when you tell them F is under eighty thousand.
The range-topping Prestige features a range of Jaguar's own 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines, a lightweight aluminum chassis and surprisingly large interior.
| Jaguar F-Pace 2019: 25T Prestige RWD (184 kW) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.0 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 7.1l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $63,200 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
The Prestige is available with diesel and petrol engines, as well as rear or all-wheel drive. My cat this week was the Prestige 25t, which is a 184kW version of the petrol engine and comes with rear wheel drive. So certainly not entry level, but the Prestige is the first of four classes.
The 25t comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, 11-speaker Meridian system with 10.0-inch touchscreen, automatic xenon headlights and automatic wipers, heated and folding rear-view mirrors, leather seats, power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, satellite television. navigation, power tailgate, cruise control and a compact spare tire.
InControl's software and hardware continues to improve, and its new tiled interface is very easy to use on a huge screen. The sat-nav is still a little cramped, but it's a marked improvement over earlier cars, and you might want to forego it altogether because you've got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Added standard to this car was keyless entry ($1890!), a "Drive Pack" that includes adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and high-speed AEB for $1740, heated front seats ($840), black wheels for $840 dollars, black package. for $760, larger 350mm front brakes for $560, and a few small things, bringing the total to $84,831.
Until the day I die, I will never understand why some really useful security features cost less than a thing that unlocks the car when you touch the handle.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The design of the F-Pace is the product of one of two distinct Jaguar design directions. While the smaller E-Pace picks up on the F-Type sports car aesthetic, the F-Pace somehow does away with the narrow headlights familiar from the XF and XE sedans.
It's an impressive piece of work, and looks pretty menacing with a black-painted black backpack. Or it would be, if the wheels were bigger, they look a bit half-finished despite being 19-inch. Easy fix by ticking the Jag Dealer.
With the black package, the F-Pace looks pretty menacing.
The interior is also very similar to the sedan's sketchbook. A rotary switch, a steering wheel (intentionally) slightly off center, and a boat line stretching from door to door in an elegant line throughout the car.
It could have been an XF if you didn't sit so high and there wasn't so much glass around you. It seems important to me because it looks like a Jaguar, which is what you want when you spend money.
The 10.0-inch touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
It's a big car and it's big inside. It seems that the F-Pace should be a seven-seater, but the bottom does not allow it, so it's a five.
Passengers in the front seats have plenty of headroom, despite the presence of a sunroof.
This seems to disappoint a lot of people and I can understand why. I guess it was a disappointment for Jaguar as well - they probably know that almost no one ever uses the third row seats, but something in people's minds convinces them that they need an extra two seats.
Despite the spicy rear window angle, you start with 508 liters of boot space, increasing to 1740 liters when you fold down the 40/20/40-separated rear seats.
Front-seat passengers have plenty of headroom, even if there's a sunroof and a pair of cup holders that can be tucked away under a flap. There is space for your phone under the center pillar, and a center armrest covers a large basket.
At the back, you have a center armrest with a pair of cup holders (four in total), and like the front doors, there are bottle holders on each side, for a total of four. Two will be happy there and the third won't be too unhappy, so it's a real five-seater.
Passengers in the back will be pleased with the spaciousness that the F-Pace offers.
Rear seat passengers get 12-volt outlets and air conditioning vents.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
The Prestige and Portfolio F-Paces are available with four engine options. The 25t translates into a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine with 184kW/365Nm. This is a lot, even with a significant - albeit light for the segment - 1710 kg.
The 2.0-litre turbo engine delivers 184 kW/365 Nm.
You can opt for AWD, but this RWD Prestige uses the same ZF eight-speed automatic as the rest of the range.
The 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 7.0 seconds and you can tow up to 2400 kg with a braked trailer.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Jaguar's official statement suggests that you can consume premium unleaded petrol at 7.4L/100km in a combined (urban, extra-urban) cycle. And, as it turned out, not far off.
In the week I spent riding the low mileage suburbs on the freeway, I got 9.2L/100km, which is commendable for such a large unit.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
The F-Pace is equipped with six airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, rearview camera, lane keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors and low speed AEB.
Additional safety features are available in the "Driver Pack" that came with my car, but it would be nice if a couple of them - especially blind spot monitoring - were standard at this level.
If you are bringing children with you, there are three top tether anchorages and two ISOFIX points.
In December 2017, the F-Pace received a maximum of five ANCAP stars.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Jaguar may offer the same warranty as the rest of the premium manufacturers, but the mainstream manufacturers make everyone look a little mean.
What used to be par for the course, Jag offers a three-year, 100,000 km warranty with appropriate roadside assistance.
Jaguar offers pre-service plans for up to five years/130,000 km, which helps you keep costs under control at around $350 a year, which is not bad at all. Service intervals are an impressive 12 months/26,000 km.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
A big luxury SUV without toys can't be as fun as the F-Pace.
This mid-range four-cylinder engine (there's also a supercharged V6 and a supercharged V8) produces plenty of grunt to push the big cat.
At the same time, it is an incredibly smooth unit with an unusual combination of sounds that creates a unique engine note.
The torque curve is mostly flat, and the eight-speed gearbox is well tuned to handle that. It moves very nimble around town and the only thing I have is that it would be better if the traction control was a little looser. Even in dynamic mode, it can be a little deadly.
I really prefer this rear wheel drive version of the F-Pace. It's a bit lighter and the steering is crisper (not that all-wheel drive is no different).
It feels sharper even on these relatively airy 255/55 tires. On the other hand, the ride is pretty good with handling.
While not smooth, it never frustrates, and I genuinely find it hard to justify air suspension on lower end cars.
I couldn't choose the big brakes, but I'm sure they're welcome if you're carrying a lot of weight or towing, so they're probably worth a few extra bucks.
Keyless entry is not, and I would definitely go with the "Drive Pack" and its extra security equipment.
The cockpit itself is very quiet, and the Meridian sound system is pretty good once you learn how to navigate the big screen. The hardware for InControl is pretty much done too, with residual judder lingering when you swipe across another screen and sat-nav's painfully slow response to input.
Unlike some of its Range Rover brethren, you get Android Auto/Apple CarPlay to boot.
Verdict
I've driven a few F-Paces over the years and I really like the rear wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive diesel V6 is certainly fast, but not as light as a petrol one. Diesel four-cylinder engines are good, but can't match the smoothness of a gasoline engine. Fuel economy on petrol is also impressive. It's funny how the F-Pace is lighter than the smaller E-Pace, and it really feels like it.
Under eighty thousand (despite the options) that's a lot of cars with a badge that people seem to like. Tell them it's a Jaguar and watch their eyes light up. Take them for a walk and watch their jaws drop when you tell them it's a four-cylinder engine. It's a heady mixture of prestige (sorry) and the fact that it's a damn good car.
Does it make sense to buy an elite two-wheel drive SUV? Do you care? Let us know about it in the comments.
