JAGUAR F-PACE DIESEL REVIEW

 

Jaguar_F-Pace_frontJaguar F-Pace is a stylish SUV that’s traditionally British in its styling, both exterior and interior. Like almost all in its class it’s aimed at being a people mover rather than an off-road vehicle. It is offered with a choice of two or all-wheel drive.

Buyers tend to opt for the AWD, feeling that it gives them the feeling of travelling in a serious vehicle that they may take onto dirt roads of varying degrees of ruggedness.

In any case, those who do want to get serious in have the option of the brothers of the F-Pace, including Land and Range Rover models, as well as the grand daddy of them all – the Land Rover Defender.

Jaguar has been a believer of aluminium in car construction and this lightweight material is used in the doors, bonnet and front guards. This keeps F-Pace’s weight down to as little as 1775 kg, depending on model.

STYLING
Highly respected car stylish Ian Callum, said; “With a clean sheet, it was a chance in a lifetime to come up with something really new. The F-Pace is based on the C-X17 concept car and adds the space and practicality that SUV owners demand.”

His design was just about perfect in the eyes of many who looked it over during our test week.

Jaguar_F-Pace_rear

The interior has the latest in contemporary design, but has a touch of the old-fashioned very-Jaguar luxury mixed into the contemporary sports SUV shapes. We like that.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Jaguar F-Pace as tested features a four-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces 132 kW of power and 430 Nm of torque. That’s not a huge amount of power for a Jaguar, but if you’re not into drag racing off the lights you will find it adequate. In our test car it drove through all four wheels.

There are V6 turbo-diesels as well and these provide huge amounts of grunt.

INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment and connectivity technology is very advanced in all late-model Jaguars. The InControl Touch Pro system is based around a 10.2-inch touchscreen. The user interface is intuitive, the graphics sharp and nicely responsive.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only recently offered in the Jaguar I-Pace. It found that it works very nicely, thank you.

The navigation system is so sophisticated that it can learn your regular commute route and make it available very simply. It can even advise others of your arrival time.

Navigation can be displayed not only in the central screen but also in the 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster.

Jaguar_F-Pace_interior

SAFETY
Major safety systems include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, park assist and surround camera.

The adaptive LED headlamps proved vision that’s almost as good as during daylight.

Another clever future is Jaguar’s Activity Key. A waterproof band is designed to be used on your wrist, or left in a small purse or handbag.

The Activity Key used to lock and unlock the vehicle with the larger normal key left being left out of sight inside the cabin or luggage area. The Activity Key locks and unlocks the F-Pace when you touch it on the letter ‘J’ in Jaguar on the tailgate. That’s Cool…

DRIVING
Front sports seats offer good support during hard driving. Three rear seat occupants have good leg and kneeroom though two adults are more comfortable than three across the back.

Controls are close at hand and the driver really does feel in contact with the F-Pace at all times. Slim roof pillars and a large windscreen offer good all-round visibility. The panoramic glass roof allows the entry of natural light.

There’s some turbo lag in this smallish diesel – more than we like to be honest, though as redheads we wouldn’t buy the F-Pace with this engine. But try for yourself if you want to chase economy.

On the subject of economy, our test turbo-diesel used just six to seven litres per hundred kilometres on the motorway and easy country driving. It rose significantly to 10 to 13 litres per hundred in our boring round-town travels.

The automatic transmission gives quick shifting, which is especially handy when overtaking; smooth operation; and the ability to adapt to different driving styles.

Chassis and suspension engineering provide a good balance in ride and handling. A stiff body structure and lightweight sound damping materials create the quiet cabin surroundings expected by owners of any luxury vehicle.

This British SUV is a genuine people carrier, with a cargo volume that is a class-leading 650 litres. With the 40/20/40 rear seat backs folded, this increases to 1740 litres. The luggage floor cover is reversible with either carpet or easy-clean rubberised surface. The parcel shelf can be stored under the floor, keeping it neatly out of the way.

SUMMING UP
It’s hard to avoid the much-loved Jaguar slogan, “Grace, Pace and Space” when summing up the Jaguar F-Pace. But keep in mind that Pace isn’t as good as in other models in the range.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
2.0 R-Sport petrol RWD: $77,392
2.0 R-Sport petrol AWD: $80,167
2.0 Chequered Flag AWD: $84,467
2.0 R-Sport petrol AWD: $86,457
2.0 Portfolio petrol AWD: $90,527
2.0 300 Sport petrol AWD: $92,657
3.0 S petrol AWD: $108,437
5.0 SVR petrol AWD: $140,262
2.0 R-Sport diesel RWD: $77,380
2.0 R-Sport 132kW diesel AWD: $80,805
2.0 177 kW diesel AWD: $87,035
2.0 Chequered Flag diesel AWD: $85,105
2.0 Portfolio diesel AWD: $91,105
2.0 Chequered Flag diesel AWD: $91,335
3.0 R-Sport diesel AWD: $91,315
3.0 Portfolio diesel AWD: $95,385
3.0 300 Sport diesel AWD: $97,515
3.0 S diesel AWD: $106,135
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Jaguar dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Jaguar F-Pace 20d Prestige 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.999 litres
Configuration: Four cylinder in line
Maximum Power: 132 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 430 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Fuel Type: Diesel
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 5.3 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 139 g/km

DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4731 mm
Wheelbase: 2874 mm
Width: 1936 mm
Height: 1667 mm
Turning Circle: 11.6 metres
Kerb Mass: 1775 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimites kilometres

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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