I drove a $63,000 Jaguar F-PACE SUV to see how it compares to the $72,000 original - here's the verdict
The F-PACE, designed by Jaguar's Ian Callum, is simply the most beautiful SUV on the road. Our COTY runner-up was the "First Edition" trim level, and the color was an alluring Caesium Blue. Only 275 were built.
Now here's the 2018 F-PACE 30t in classic British Racing Green. Same design, just a little less blacked out.
As I've noted before, an SUV is a rectangle with wheels, so to make one look this sharp is truly an aesthetic achievement.
The F-PACE pulls it off, with a design that's elegant, aggressive, sporty, and yet purposeful.
The vehicle really is spectacular addition to the Leaping Cat brand, which had been previous noted for its superb sports cars.
No leaping car hood ornament, however. Fans of such things will have to be content with the rear badging.
As with our previous F-PACE, the 30t came equipped with a waterproof activity band that allows the driver to leave the keys in the car when pursuing outdoor adventures. the band makes use of the proximity sensor to unlock the vehicle.
Some subtle flash on the fender.
So how do we feel about the name? We still don't like it much. But we've gotten used to it.
The 30t configuration knocks about $10,000 off the price tag of the more upscale, powerful F-PACE we tested in 2016.
Cargo space is impressive. I had no difficulty using the F-PACE to attend to my various suburban-dad duties.
The interior was simply gorgeous. British Racing Green is a favorite color of mine and coupled with Sienna Tan "perforated Windsor" leather seats, it was a real winner. (The seats are heated and cooled.)
The panoramic moon roof was rolled into the price tag. In fact, our $63,000 tester came with no options outside the Portfolio LE package.
The rear seats, as is the case with most SUVs in this segment, were comfortable and had their own climate controls — but the legroom wasn't vast for adults.
The driver is presented with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, outfitted with the usual bevy of buttons to control vehicle functions; and a digital-analog instrument cluster.
The power from the four-cylinder turbo is piped through an eight-speed transmission. The rotary shift knob rising on startup and retreats when you shut the SUB off. Note the glossy wood trim, as well.
The 10-inch TouchPro infotainment screen is, naturally, touch controlled. The system is easy to use, and although we've experienced some glitches with it in the past, I had no issues this time around.
The typical luxury-SUV connectivity is present. The F-PACE provides a wifi hotspot, Bluetooth device pairing is easy, and there are USB/AUX ports to fall back on.
The GPS navigation protocol has always worked well for me, and the 825-watt Meridian Surround Sound audio system was luscious, playing SiriusXM satellite radio, earthbound radio, or my own media.
So what about that smaller engine?
It pleased me. Fuel economy is adequate — 22 mpg city/27 highway/24 combined — and while there is a very slight amount of turbo lag, that can be overcome with a little throttle modulation.
The automatic transmission can be switched into manual mode and one can shift using the paddles behind the steering wheel (I didn't actually do much of this because the eight-speed did a good job on its own).
Drive modes are Eco, Dynamic, Normal, and a foul-weather option that can optimize the all-wheel-drive system to deal with rain, snow, or ice.
So what's the verdict?
Still the same gorgeous F-PACE, of course — even more so in Brit Green. Hubba!
So, a joy to behold. But also a joy to drive, with that less stout engine?
In a word, yes. The 0-60 mph sprint passes in under six seconds, so the 30t feels plenty quick. So quick, in fact, that'd I'd argue its 296-horsepower turbo four punches above its weight. It comes off a 300-plus motor.
Into the corners, the 30t offers less burliness than the supercharged V6, but it remains perfectly composed. In addition to beauty, this Jag offers sporty capabilities and, most likely, pretty solid offroad performance. On bad road conditions, the AWD drive system suggested surefootedness, but I didn't press matters.
The 30t provides the most powerful four-cylinder setup for the F-PACE, so if you can't accept it, you'll need to pay another $10,000 to move up to a V6 model.
In its segment, the F-PACE really stands out — but the segment is crowded. BMW has the X3, Mercedes has the GLC, Audi has the Q5, and even corporate stablemate Land Rover has the Range Rover Evoque.
The F-PACE commends itself with style and sportiness and a pleasingly British take on the sporty SUV. There's no reasons that utes have to be, you know, unattractive. The F-PACE has never been. And the 30t proves that Jaguar, formerly something of an upper-range luxury brand, can price this all-important vehicle (SUVs are hot sellers these days) to compete, and compete well.
The verdict, therefore, is that the F-PACE 30t is worth more than a look. It's worth a second, third, fourth, fifth, and 10,000th look. Because if you get one, that's what you'll be doing when its parked in your driveway.
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