Historically, Jaguar has been known as a premium maker of sedans. However, as market demand for the SUV/crossover format has skyrocketed across all price points, the UK brand has responded most convincingly with a ute contender that is all sorts of compelling. Larger than its younger E-Pace sibling, the F-Pace is bannered as a “performance SUV that combines maximum driving exhilaration with efficiency,” a “Jaguar for you, a Jaguar for your family.” Official JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) importer and official dealer Coventry Motors Corporation will now make available to Filipinos the SUV that Jaguar revealed in 2015 and sold the year after.
This basically means that the brand imagines the F-Pace as a daddy (or mommy) car that can pull duties related to their roles. Indeed, during my stint with the F-Pace, I noted how it could be a practical daily driver – an impressive diesel-powered ride imbued both docility and ability. But more about that later.
At first blush, immediately gripping is the F-Pace’s sleek aerodynamic, sleek profile – clearly one of the design cues lifted from the F-Type, Jaguar’s two-door, two-seater sports car. The carmaker deliberately draws the inspiration not just in looks but in performance as well.
From its grille crowned by the red “growler” emblem, the F-Pace boasts muscular, taut lines running across its bulging hood to give an impression of vitality. On either side of its front fascia are Jag’s signature J Blade daytime running lights – set off by adaptive LED headlights which emit “an intensity of light that is close to daylight, helping (the) eyes… distinguish objects more easily and reducing fatigue.”
Walk to the vehicle’s side to see a deep styling crease running from the front to rear wheel wells, accentuating its curves and providing a sense of dynamism. Even the rear fascia, with high-intensity LED taillights, screams out the F-Pace’s sporty character.
Inside, Jaguar ups the ante even more. The F-Pace looks and feels like the premium vehicle it is. The cockpit is impressively put together visually, and boasts fine leather and materials. An eight-inch touchscreen allows USB, Bluetooth, and AUX connections to tether whatever device you have along. Its digital instrument cluster, on the other hand, has a five-inch central TFT display.
Press the start/stop button and a refined 2.0-liter diesel heart starts to reward you with sprightly performance. With an output of 177hp and 430Nm, the all-wheel-drive F-Pace gives peppy push, accessed through an automatic eight-speed with Jaguar’s proprietary Sequential Shift. Don’t look for a traditional gearshift, which has been replaced by a rotary gear shift. Should you need to cycle through gears, a couple of paddles are at your disposal.
Jaguar Drive Control when in Dynamic Mode gives quicker shifts and sportier kickdown. In Eco Mode, it shifts up earlier to for better fuel efficiency, and Rain Ice Snow Mode means gentler progress for conditions of low grip; the choice is yours. Electric power-assisted steering gives good feedback while making turning a breeze.
Finally, the F-Pace boasts lightweight aluminum architecture that is both strong and light – saving on gas while delivering greater handling and braking performance.
Yes, things that daddy will like, for sure.