Since 2017, the Jaguar F-Pace SUV along with the smaller E-Pace and all-electric I-Pace have been added to Jaguar’s line-up as drivers abandon sedans and sports cars for SUVs.
Nevertheless, Jaguar’s sales have been declining despite the addition of SUVs. Land Rover outsold it roughly 3-to-1 in 2019, and 4-to-1 in 2020. Given Jaguar’s lack of momentum, a refreshed 2021 F-Pace couldn’t come at a better time. And plans to transform Jaguar into an all-electric brand by 2025 appears to be a good move.
Overview
Unless you’re a diehard Jaguar fan or a Jaguar retailer, the F-Pace’s updated duds might not be obvious at first glance, but they do make a difference. More noticeable is the F-Pace’s revised cabin, which previously lacked the luxurious ambience one would expect, a feeling exacerbated by the buggy infotainment system. Drivelines have also been revised for 2021. The F-Pace is offered in four-cylinder P250 & P250 S trim, six-cylinder mild-hybrid P340 and P400 R-Dynamic S trim. All F-Paces have a standard 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Exterior
The F-Pace’s sinewy simplicity is pure modern Jaguar, although it’s tweaked. For 2021, the F-Pace gets revised slim, all-LED quad headlights and taillights, as well as a new grille and bumper. More noticeable is the new vented hood. The facelift updates the vehicle nicely, but not dramatically. It remains a sporty SUV in the current design idiom, no doubt helped by its optional 21-inch wheels. Nineteen-inch wheels are standard.
Interior
Previous F-Pace interiors seemed punishingly stark compared to Jaguar‘s traditionally posh cabins. Thankfully, now former Jaguar Design Director Julian Thomson and his team sought to add “a real sense of occasion” when passengers get in the vehicle.
They’ve succeeded, as the it lacks the unadorned low-rent plainness that turned off traditional Jaguar enthusiasts. That’s no longer true, as the cabin’s mix of premium materials leave little doubt that you’re in a luxury cruiser. There are more soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, as well as Alcantara, leather, open-pore wood and aluminum.
The redesigned seats are wider and include integrated massaging. And the new transmission shifter is a huge improvement from the recalcitrant rotary shifter used previously. As before, legroom is good up front, and adequate in the second row. Cargo space is generous.
Powertrain
The F-Pace comes with one of three drivetrains. Entry-level P250 and P250 S models get a 246 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that runs 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and boasts a top speed of 135 mph, according to Jaguar. Step up to the P340 S, and you’ll get a 5.8 second 0-60 mph run and a top speed of 149 mph.
Of course, the P400 R-Dynamic S is the top cat, and comes with the same driveline as the P340 S, but rated at 395 horsepower, which sprints to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. In addition, drivers can select from Comfort, Eco, Rain-Ice-Snow and Dynamic driving modes. Maximum towing is rated at 5,291 pounds.
Safety and Technology
As you might expect, the F-Pace comes with the essential driver-assistance safety system, including Brake Assist, Blind-Spot Assist, Lane-Keeping Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Clear Exit Monitor, Traffic-Sign Recognition, Surround View Monitor and Driver Condition Assist. Adaptive Cruise Control is a $1,325 option.
Neither NHTSA nor IIHS has crash-tested the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace.
One of the biggest improvements for the F-Pace comes in its technology, where a 11.4-inch curved-glass HD touchscreen is powered by Jaguar’s new Pivi Pro infotainment software and features Bluetooth as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The system is far faster than previous Jaguar systems, and the screen is 50% larger, which makes it easier to use. Its use of a three-pane home screen is welcome, allowing to quickly access what you use most. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is optional, as is 3D mapping and a head-up display.
Driving Impressions
Despite this year’s new hybrid driveline, a first for Jaguar, its biggest surprise is no surprise. The F-Pace performs like a Jaguar should, providing the power and speed of a scalded cat with the lustrous refinement the brand is known for. It’s swift, but not uninhibited.
The suspension occasionally feels too stiff, but the trade-off is a lack of body rebound and lean through corners. For those who value an SUV with superior driving dynamics, you’ve come to the right place. After all, the steering is ideally weighted with a quick, sporty responsiveness that puts a smile your face. And it’s impeccably quiet, thanks to active noise cancellation that quells any undue racket. All the better to hear the superb Meridian sound system.
2021 Jaguar F-Pace P 340 S
| Dimension | L: 186.9 inches/W: 76.2 inches/H: 65.5 inches/Wheelbase: 113.1 inches |
| Weight | 4,306 pounds |
| Powertrain | Supercharged & turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain, 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy | 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined |
| Performance Specs | 335 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque |
| Price | Base price: $59,395; As tested: $73,420 including $1,150 destination and delivery charge |
| On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
There’s little doubt that Jaguar’s mid-cycle refresh has greatly improved the 2021 F-Pace. It offers the speed and handling you’d expect from a Jaguar, and an interior that feels far nicer than what’s come before. The newest F-Pace interior helps revive Jaguar’s special quality, something that was scuttled under design director Ian Callum’s push for modernism at the expense of tradition. it’s something Jaguar has yet to fully recapture. Once it does, sales will return.
2021 Jaguar F-Pace — Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a 2021 Jaguar F-Pace?
If you’re looking for a luxury compact crossover SUV that puts a premium on performance and good handling while providing decent interior space, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace would be well worth considering.
Is the Jaguar F-Pace reliable?
In the 2020 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, Jaguar ranked 27 out of 31 brands for problems in the first 90 days service, beating Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi and Land Rover. In J.D. Power’s U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Jaguar ranked 28 out of 31, with only Chrysler and Land Rover faring worse. Consumer Reports rates the F-Pace as having worse than average reliability.
Is the Jaguar F-Pace expensive to maintain?
Edmunds.com estimates that the F-Pace costs $119 to maintain in its first year, $1,120 in its second, $142 in its third, $2,616 in its fourth, and $3,134 in its fifth.
