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160810 Jaguar F Pace S AWD
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Matt Brogan13 Sept 2016
REVIEW

Jaguar F-PACE 2016 Review

If sporty, high-end SUVs are the new black, Jaguar’s first-ever F-PACE could well be the darkest hue of all

Jaguar F-PACE First Edition 35t, Portfolio 30d and Prestige 20d
Road Test

The ongoing gentrification of mid-size SUVs has seen Australian buyers embrace the segment in which the Jaguar F-PACE vies with fervour, seemingly in spite of the lofty admission price. This British-built rival asks $74,340 (plus on-road costs) in its most basic form, $20k more than Lexus’ NX and its in-house rival, the Range Rover Evoque. Still, with hundreds of pre-orders, striking good looks and a diverse, customisable range, the F-PACE is proving a meritorious business decision for Jaguar Land Rover; and after a few weeks behind the wheel it’s obvious the model is as much a win for its maker as it is for the consumer.

Despite the prospect of brand dilution, it’s still easy to understand the rationale behind Jaguar Land Rover’s development of the F-PACE. SUV sales are booming globally and, in Australia, prestige examples are among the strongest selling. Whichever way you look at it, the F-PACE makes good business sense.

Consider Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60 as rivals in Jaguar’s gunsights. Combined, those models have sold nearly 12,000 units Down Under year-to-date and if you factor in ‘in-house’ competitors such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, that figure jumps to more than 16,000. JLR Australia anticipates 150-200 F-PACE sales per month.

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In fact the only real sticking point in assuring sales success of the F-PACE is its asking price. At $74,340 (plus on-road costs), the F-PACE outpaces all here except the Macan. Most dip under the $55,000 mark with the German ‘big three’ spreading from $62,200 through to $67,900. By any stretch, the Jag isn’t cheap.

But for the consumer, perhaps the F-PACE should be considered for its value, and not its price. Its modern aluminium and magnesium chassis is as much as 140kg lighter than its nearest rival, reducing fuel consumption and improving ride/handling acuity. Aftersales support is likewise robust, with an ‘inflation proof’ five-year servicing arrangement available, while resale value can be set under a scheme dubbed Jaguar Freedom, guaranteeing the F-PACE’s worth come trade-in time.

The F-PACE also holds an ace where variety is concerned. Based on the mid-size XE’s platform, the F-PACE currently boasts a dozen variants locally, a number set only to expand with the pending arrival of the hard-charging F-PACE SVR. The present range includes four-cylinder turbo-diesel and V6 twin-turbo-diesel and supercharged petrol engines, as well as Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio, S and First Edition model grades. At this point, all are offered with an eight-speed automatic and a ‘torque-on-demand’ all-wheel drive system. Manual rear-wheel drive variants were deemed too expensive for local consumption.

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A characteristic of the models sampled (see below for specifications) is a comfortable, high-riding driver’s position, similar to the Land Rover Discovery in many ways. The seat relates well to the pedals and the electrically-adjustable steering column, and offers very good view of the road ahead. Lateral and rearward vision is nearly as good, the thick D pillar a minor sticking point. We find the power window switches, a la Land Rover, too high on the door cards, though nearly every other control is logically placed and easily understood.

Rear-seat accommodation is likewise generous, with leg and headroom worthy of the Large SUV segment. Entry and exit to the back seat is on par with most in this category, and outward vision is excellent for all but the youngest of second-row passengers.

The boot of the F-PACE has to be seen to be believed. At 650 litres in five-seat mode, and 1740 litres all told, it offers plenty of room for extended trips away, reducing only slightly when optioning the full-size matching alloy spare wheel.

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The F-PACE’s instrument panel and centre stack are easily understood. The wide touchscreen infotainment array is likewise user-friendly – though we took umbrage at a menu system that requires you to manually exit each stage of its operation when momentarily entering an alternate page (e.g. you have to reselect the radio feature if you’ve just turned on your heated seats).

Expectedly, with three engine variants on test, there are differences in character at the wheel. The supercharged-petrol (35t) is, perhaps obviously, the most eager of the trio in terms of performance, but requires higher revs (4500rpm) to access its maximum 450Nm torque. The result is a busy transmission, too keen to kick down under even light throttle loads, which detracts from what is otherwise a smooth and willing combination. We loved the ride/handling blend on offer here; the petrol model’s suspension is perhaps the best of the three sampled.

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Compared to the peaky petrol engine of the 35t, the first of the two turbo-diesel engines sampled was a remarkable contrast. The twin-turbo-diesel (30d) offers an abundance of torque (700Nm) from low in the rev range (2000rpm), accelerating effortlessly from standstill and when called to overtake. The transmission is more relaxed as a result, and fuel economy appreciably better (see specifications below); though we noted an unsettled ride in this variant, at times too brusque and at others tending to wallow.

Finally, the least expensive 20d turbo-diesel variant proved an unexpected surprise. Again offering accessible torque, even lower in the rev range than the twin-turbo variant (430Nm at 1750-2500rpm), it sailed through city traffic with ease, also demonstrating capable highway touring and reasonable fuel economy. While not as powerful as the supercharged-petrol, the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel worked more cooperatively with Jaguar’s eight-speed ZF automatic – the combination was an excellent match for the needs of most family buyers. It also offered a cohesive ride more in step with its petrol sibling: The 30d proved an anomaly in that respect.

In a segment where many competitors feel same-same, the F-PACE comes as a refreshing change. Its clean, understated looks, sensible packaging and confident road manners make it a pragmatic yet prestigious alternative to the usual suspects.

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2016 Jaguar F-PACE Prestige 20d pricing and specifications:
Price: $74,340 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 132kW/430Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.3L/100km (ADR Combined) / 8.1L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

2016 Jaguar F-PACE Portfolio 30d pricing and specifications:
Price: $84,545 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 221kW/700Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined) / 8.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

2016 Jaguar F-PACE First Edition 35t pricing and specifications:
Price: $120,416 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder supercharged-petrol
Output: 280kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.9L/100km (ADR Combined) / 10.5L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 209g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Audi Q5 (from $63,210 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz GLC (from $67,900 plus ORCs)
>> Porsche Macan (from $93,100 plus ORCs)

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Written byMatt Brogan
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
83/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
17/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
18/20
Safety & Technology
16/20
Behind The Wheel
16/20
X-Factor
16/20
Pros
  • Aftersales and resale considerations
  • Torquey 3.0-litre turbo-diesel
  • Passenger and cargo space
Cons
  • Suspension of 3.0-litre turbo-diesel
  • Price relative to ‘big three’ Germans
  • Transmission of 3.0-litre supercharged-p
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