2017 Jaguar F-Pace Test Drive Review

2017 Jaguar F-Pace Review

Car Tested: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace; Road Test No. 827

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 92.43 lakhs – 1.65 crores

Jaguar’s first SUV has positive impressions with both visual and dynamic appeal

Jaguar has always been manufacturing luxury sedans and performance coupes since decades while Land Rover has been killing it with an extensive SUV range. When Jaguar announced a few years back that they would be entering the SUV segment, a lot of eyes were raised and then the automaker went on to launch the F-Pace which impressed everyone at first glance. It has distinctive styling and is offered in a number of variants with multiple engines and is positioned as a dynamic SUV. We had a go in both engine variants of the Indian-spec F-Pace to check out how impressive it is.

Motor Quest: This might be Jaguar’s first SUV product line but the automaker has had expertise with their Land Rover range of vehicles which are known to be very durable and have good off-road performance. Many bits on the F-Pace have taken inspiration from Land Rover cars while there are some bits from other Jaguar cars too.

Exteriors – The Jaguar F-Pace looks sporty, unique and very exclusive right from first glance. The front fascia is similar to other Jaguar cars where it features a large honeycomb grille, flanked by bright LED headlights on either side. The bottom part of the bumper gets sleek fog lamps. The grille is quite large in size and gives the F-Pace an imposing look. The side profile shows the SUV’s bulk and the swooping roofline again lends a sporty appeal. There are some minor visual differences between the 20d and the R-Sport 30d trims. The rear borrows some design cues from the F-Type and the derriere of the car looks really attractive. Compared to other luxury SUVs, the F-Pace looks a bit unique on our roads and attracts lots of eyeballs.

Interiors – The interiors of the Jaguar F-Pace are pleasant and the dashboard has neatly stacked controls. The layout is driver-friendly and has a premium feel to it. The SUV gets a digital instrument cluster which different types of displays to suit your needs. The steering feels great to hold and is just the perfect size. The centre console gets a large touchscreen with the uConnect system. You also get a rotary gear knob that pops out when you turn on the ignition. You also get ambient lighting with a variety of colour options that can be toggled from the touchscreen. Just like Land Rover SUVs, even the F-Pace comes with power window switches on the window panes unlike the door pads on other cars.

Interiors are finished in premium quality materials, R-Sport gets sportier seats

The seating position is high up and the driving position is excellent. Frontal visibility is good but rearward view is a bit limited. The large ORVMs really help matters though. The front seats are a bit stiff but feel comfortable nonetheless. Space at the rear is also good with decent amount of knee room and good shoulder and head space. The panoramic sunroof also adds to the airy feel in the cabin. The AC does its job well but what really impressed us is the way the cabin cocoons you from the outside world with the splendid insulation.

The boot is well-shaped and can carry a decently good amount of luggage. However, the cover for the spare well is really thick and eats into space. In terms of features, the F-Pace comes with a Meridian audio system which is aural bliss, though the speakers did seem to create a distorted noise at higher volumes. You also get a 360-degree view from the various cameras installed around the car and that helps matters while parking in tight spaces since the F-Pace is quite wide. I also liked the valet option on the infotainment system which limits the functions of the car when you’re giving it to your chauffeur or a hotel valet. The headlamps are powerful and light up the road like daylight.