2023 Jaguar F-Pace
Overview
If the 2023 Jaguar F-Pace’s styling reminds you of the F-type sports car, that’s not a mistake, and neither are the SUV’s athletic road manners. Along with being practical, spacious, and upscale, Jaguar’s two-row mid-sizer will excite driving enthusiasts. A standard 246-hp turbo four-cylinder is fine and dandy, but the available 395-hp turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-six is a fiery alternative. The 550-hp F-Pace SVR has the highest performance, but we review it separately. The trade-off for the regular F-Pace’s fun-to-drive demeanor is a firm ride that might not suit everyone. The cabin is appropriately posh, with quality materials throughout and modern tech smartly integrated into the design. A large touchscreen infotainment system sits above the dash and runs Jaguar’s latest software. Too bad it’s a work in progress and is plagued by some bugs. While those type of small issues make it a harder sell versus more polished rivals, the 2023 F-Pace’s driving verve is charming enough to outweigh those demerits.
What’s New for 2023?
Jaguar has dropped the 335-hp P340 model from the F-Pace lineup, but the 395-hp P400 version continues to serve as the most powerful model. Adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go feature is now available on the P250 S and P400 R-Dynamic S models. Every F-Pace is now equipped with self-sealing tires to help reduce the chances of a flat.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We think the P250 S, with its 246-hp turbo four, offers the best balance of performance and value. Upgrading from the base P250 to the P250 S adds unique 19-inch wheels, a power-operated rear liftgate, handsome leather upholstery with diamond stitching. It also adds the more desirable PiviPro infotainment software with navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and traffic-sign recognition.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every 2023 F-Pace features an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The standard engine is a 246-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. For those looking for a more refined turbo four than the Jag’s, the BMW X3 earns top marks. The F-Pace P400 R-Dymanic S has a 3.0-liter inline-six that generates 395 horsepower with its turbocharger, electric supercharger, and 48-volt hybrid system. During our first impressions of the six-cylinder F-Pace, we noted good responses and perky acceleration, but the transmission was hesitant to downshift during passing maneuvers in all but the sportiest drive mode. The P400 we tested sped to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, but that’s a notable 1.4 ticks behind the 382-hp X3 M40i. Meanwhile, Jaguar intentionally tunes the F-Pace’s suspension on the firm side for a sporty feel. The ride is never harsh, but the larger wheel sizes (Jaguar offers up to 22-inchers) add a little jiggle to the suspension’s movements over bumps. Regardless of the model, every F-Pace’s steering is quick, delivering confidence-inspiring feedback from the front tires to the driver’s hands. Driven assertively, the F-Pace’s sharp responses are genuinely impressive and make it a joy to pilot.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA rates the 2023 F-Pace with the available six-cylinder engine at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged four-cylinder is rated at 22 mpg city and 27 highway. While we haven’t tested the six-cylinder version on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our comprehensive testing regimen, the turbo-four F-Pace nearly replicated its government rating with its 26-mpg result. For more information about the F-Pace’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
In keeping with Jaguar’s lineup-wide minimalist interior aesthetic, the F-Pace’s cabin features simple detailing, easy-to-reach secondary controls, and lots of window area for enhanced visibility. You sit high in the front and rear seats, and the driver is treated to an excellent seating position, square to the steering wheel and pedals. The F-Pace’s front-seat legroom and headroom measurements are among the roomiest in this class, while the aft quarters are merely average. Large climate-control buttons are easy to use, and the central touchscreen display is only a slight reach for either occupant of the front seat. Aside from its relative lack of cubby space for front-seat passengers, the F-Pace’s cargo-hauling capabilities are far greater than its sexy styling would suggest. Release handles in the trunk and atop each rear seatback lower the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats to a nearly flat position. Doing so created room for 22 carry-on suitcases.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Jaguar’s latest touchscreen infotainment system is called Pivi. It distills core functions into simple, well-arranged menus and looks slick. Unfortunately, we found it too buggy and prone to malfunction. Luckily, unlike Jaguar’s previous infotainment software, Pivi is capable of over-the-air update, so as engineers work out the issues, the F-Pace can be easily updated. Every model comes standard with an 11.4-inch curved-glass touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo system; built-in navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot also are available, too.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Buyers who want the latest safety and driver assistance still have a satisfying selection of choices, including a generous suite of standard driver-assistance technology and several high-tech options. For more information about the F-Pace’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard forward collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
In its attempt to turn around public perception of the brand’s historically rocky reliability, Jaguar provides warranty coverage that tops the segment. The highlight is Jaguar’s lengthy complimentary scheduled maintenance program.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for five years or 60,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Jaguar F-Pace P400 AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,550/$82,245
Options: Performance seats, $2925; Premium interior pack, $2220; Hot climate pack (cooled glovebox, four-zone climate control), $2110; 21-inch wheels, $2000; adaptive cruise control, $1325; head-up display, $1010; Meridian sound system, $760; Windsor leather seats, $760; Bluefire blue paint, $610; interactive driver display, $550; Wi-Fi, $500; black exterior pack, $375; gloss black roof rails, $360; Adaptive Surface Response, $150
ENGINE
supercharged, turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2996 cm3
Power: 395 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.6-in vented disc/12.8-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Latitude Tour HP
265/45R-21 104W M+S JLR
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.1 in
Length: 186.9 in
Width: 76.2 in
Height: 65.5 in
Passenger Volume: 96 ft3
Cargo Volume: 27 ft3
Curb Weight: 4764 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
100 mph: 13.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.0 sec @ 103 mph
130 mph: 24.3 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 183 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 27 mpg
Highway Range: 580 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22/20/26 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
