The Jaguar F-Pace is the company's first SUV and a rival to everything from the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 through to the Porsche Macan.
Ladies you can choose a relatively frugal four-cylinder diesel model. While at the other end of the range, there's a riotous, and pricey, supercharged V6 petrol.
The F-Pace is roughly the same size as sister company Land Rover's Evoque, with which it shares some of its oily bits. However, it isn’t simply a rebadged Land Rover though its underpinnings actually have more in common with Jaguar’s XE and XF sedans. I was given the 2.0 litre 4 cylinder 132kW Turbocharged Diesel Ingenium engine, which can achieve 5.3l/km* and CO2 emissions as low as 139g/km.* AWD, I Must say though the 2.0-litre diesel is no firebrand. But for most people, most of the time, it’s gutsy enough, whether you stick with rear-wheel drive or pay a bit extra for four-wheel drive.
It’s the way it flows through fast bends that impresses me the most; it may be lighter than most of its rivals, but this is still a big SUV, and yet it genuinely feels as agile as many hatchbacks. It’s only through really tight corners and sudden direction changes that you remember you’re driving something a bit taller. Even then the steering is always precise, building weight at just the right time and with the right consistency to reward you for your efforts. The only other SUV that handles this well is the pricier Porsche Macan.
PRACTICALITY AND SPACE
F-PACE has class-leading boot capacity of 508 litres* and a versatile 40:20:40 rear seat folding configuration.
*Below the parcel shelf and space saver spare wheel. 463 litres with full size spare wheel.
I'm not big on SUVs but I really loved this car, but it was a little heavy on the fuel that's about the only down fall with this beauty. Connectivity fans will love the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, with its app suite and myriad smart-phone-controllable functions. We fully expect the F-Pace to do for Jaguar what the Cayenne has done for Porsche.
How much will this beauty set you back? R888, 666 not too bad for a SUV
