The 2018 F-Pace luxury crossover SUV has five engine choices, and an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard for all trims. The 25t has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine with an output of 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The 30t has the same four-cylinder engine with but an output of 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 35t has a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with an output of 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The S trim is unique because it has the same six-cylinder engine but with an output of 380 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The 20d is a diesel-fueled 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with an output of 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque. With the supercharged power plant under the hood, there was a lot of useable power from the low-end until the red line. Accelerating to 60 mph took just under five and a half seconds, which was among the quickest in its class. The transmission performed reliably and worked seamlessly with the engine. The handling felt poised for its size and it tracked accurately through the corner. Body roll was well-controlled and did not hold back when changing direction. The steering effort was on the lighter side but the road feedback could be better. However, the steering was also responsive and felt eager when navigating twists and turns. The brakes performed superbly and the stopping power felt linear and predictable. It took 102 feet to stop from 60 mph, which was among the best. The pedal was firm and managing the brakes was intuitive in all kinds of situations.
The base trim comes with a power liftgate, LED running lights, automatic wipers, keyless ignition, selectable drive modes, automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a USB port, auxiliary audio jack, a CD player, an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker Meridian sound system, and Jaguar’s InControl Protect emergency communication services. Starting with the base trim, the Cold Climate package adds heated front and rear seats, a heated windshield, heated washer jets and a heated steering wheel. A navigation system is a standalone option. The Premium trim includes power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors as well as driver seat memory settings. Starting with the Premium trim, the Vision package includes adaptive xenon headlights, headlight washers, and several advanced safety and driver aids. The Prestige trim adds keyless entry, a power-adjustable steering wheel, voice controls and smartphone connectivity. The Vision package for the Prestige comes with the same features but replaces the xenon headlights with adaptive LED units. The Adaptive Dynamics package adds adaptive suspension and an additional drive mode. Starting with the Prestige trim, the Comfort & Convenience package adds ventilated front seats, power-reclining rear seats, and a hands-free liftgate. The Technology package adds a digital instrument cluster, 3G, Wi-Fi, an upgraded 10-inch touchscreen, and a 17-speaker Meridian sound system. Standalone options include a heads-up display and Jaguar’s Activity Key, a waterproof wearable for unlocking the vehicle. The R-Sport trim has all the features found in the preceding trim but without the Adaptive Dynamics package. It also adds foglights and power-adjustable thigh support for the front seats. Starting with R-Sport, the Luxury Interior package adds an upgraded automatic climate control with an air quality sensor, additional power outlets, and upscale interior appointments. The Driver Assistance package adds more advanced safety and driver aids. The S trim comes with all the features and optional packages from the preceding trims, as well as being the only trim with the most powerful engine. The cream-of-the-crop Portfolio trim is equipped with all the high-end elements found in the lower trims but the Adaptive Dynamics package is optional.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not released their official safety ratings for the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace yet. There are no available advanced safety and driver aids for the base trim. They are only available starting with the Premium trim and they include front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning and mitigation, front cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, automated parking system, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and speed limit notification.
The 2018 F-Pace has a length of 186.3 inches, a width of 81.5 inches, a height of 65 inches, and a wheelbase of 113.1 inches. The design of the F-Pace shares a common theme with the other Jaguar vehicles like the XE and XF, particularly in the front and rear fascias. The front fascia is simplistic, with a large front grille being flanked by subtly aggressive headlights and sizeable vents. The rear fascia sports taillights very similar to other Jaguar models. The base trim comes standard with 18-inch wheels, and each succeeding trim has wheels that are an inch bigger in diameter. A panoramic sunroof is already available for the base trim but roof rails and black exterior accents only become available starting with the Prestige trim. The R-Sport and S trims have a unique styling featuring sportier and more aggressive stance plus exterior elements that distinguish them from the rest.
Despite being as tall as its smaller SUV sibling, the doors sills were raised higher and stepping up felt more of a stretch. The doors opened wide enough but the sloping windshield meant that ducking the head is needed for a tall passenger. The front and rear seats have more than enough allowance for movement and did not feel tight at all. Five passengers can be accommodated by the two rows of seats inside. The seats were comfortable during long drives and the leather upholstery. The range of adjustability in the front seats allowed most passengers to attain a satisfactory seating position. The ride quality felt firm, which was to be expected if it handled athletically on the road. Bigger wheels tend to transmit more harshness but even minor bumps were unsettling. Road and wind noise are muted well and weren’t distracting to the ambiance inside the cabin.
There is 33.5 cu-ft of space behind the second row of seats, and folding them down opens up 63.5 cu-ft of space available for cargo.