Jaguar F-Pace

The Jaguar F-Pace has got a very simple approach when it comes to the cabin on the inside. Devoid of any unwarranted visual drama, the interior feels classy but a bit dated as well with its too simple layout.

However, the full TFT instrument console behind the round themed multi-functional steering wheel is a combination, which has been lifted off from the range-topping coupe, the F-Type. The wide center console has a clean layout with tapered AC vents sitting atop of the large rectangular touchscreen infotainment system, below which is laid a trapezoidal housing consisting of buttons for automatic climate control. The centre tunnel too looks elegant with the traditional rotary-style gear knob.

One does get a huge variety of upholstery and trim levels to choose from, giving a good amount of customisation options. The space on the inside is very good with ample room for five passengers and a boot compartment.

The Jaguar F-Pace ditches the traditional SUV virtues of having a boxy and angular design for a more radical approach, by sharing the design philosophy from the range of sedans and coupes of Jaguar. The end result is a curvaceous looking SUV that has looks to die for.

The frontal fascia of the Jaguar F-Pace has got the same large front grille with rounded edges which has become a common element in all the Jaguar offerings. Another bit that is common in the F-Pace from the other Jaguar cars is the headlamp layout, with the eyebrow shaped full-LED headlamps consisting of L-shaped daytime running LEDs.

The Jaguar F-Pace is at its swooping best when viewed from the sides, with the curvy bonnet line and slightly rounded roofline, along with the absence of any sharp character line flowing sideways, make it look quite smooth. Adding further touches of elegance are the silver ornament on the front fenders and the large alloy wheels.

At the rear too, the Jaguar F-Pace takes a leaf from the design books of other Jaguars, which can be sensed in the way the LED tail lamps are designed. The horizontally laid tail lamps, along with sharply raked rear windscreen give the F-Pace a very sleek appeal.

The double-wishbone at the front and integral link at the rear, coupled with an adaptive dynamics system that gives configurable settings depending on the terrain and steering feedback, do give the Jaguar F-Pace a good ride and handling balance. The adaptive surface response and all-wheel drive give it the capability to glide over off-road conditions with ease.

The Jaguar F-Pace is offered with a range of engine options to choose from – three diesels and four petrols.

Let’s talk about diesels first. Here, the smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is being offered in three states of tune – 163 PS of power and 380 Nm of torque, 180 PS of power and 430 Nm of torque and 240 PS of power and 500 Nm of torque. While the first one gets manual and the last one gets automatic transmission as standard, the middle one gets both of them. The bigger 3.0-litre V6 diesel puts up 300 PS of power and 700 Nm of torque and is offered with an automatic gearbox as standard.

Coming to the options of petrol, there are three of them on offer. The smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine puts up 250 PS of power and 365 Nm of torque, while the bigger 3.0-litre supercharged V6 is in two states of tune – 340 PS of power and 450 Nm of torque as well as 380 PS of power and 450 Nm of torque. All the petrol engines get automatic transmission as standard.

The Jaguar F-Pace is armed with all the modern amenities when it comes to safety, with bits like dynamic stability control, engine drag torque control, trailer stability control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, park assist, blind-spot monitoring, reverse traffic detection, lane keep assist, surround camera system, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, airbags all around, and ABS with EBD and brake assist.

The Jaguar F-Pace puts up a style statement of itself of having a good blend of curvy coupe lines and heightened stance of an SUV. The interiors while too simple go with the classy theme of the vehicle. And retaining the flexible driving dynamics of other Jaguars, the F-Pace has a good driving appeal as well, with a good balance of ride and handling.