Handling is superb for Jaguar crossover
It is matched up to a very smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine is quiet under power, but rumbles with a lovely throaty sound when pushed harder. Acceleration is swift with the gear changes being seamlessly smooth.
The all-wheel drive system in the F-Pace is of the on-demand type, pushing 100 per cent of torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions.
As soon as slippage is detected it distributes the power 50:50 between the axles. Also part of the package is All Purpose Progress Control, it works like a low-speed launch control to help manage traction at speeds between 3.5 and 30 km/h dependent on the driving surface.
On road, the F-Pace handles like a lighter, tighter sedan than a roomy crossover.
It is built on the same aluminumintensive platform as the XE, with more than three-quarters of the structure being aluminum.
This helps to bring a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, which makes the handling superb for a crossover especially when pushing into the corners.
There wasn’t any noticeable wind or road noise at highway speeds and in the city the ride was as smooth as to be expected when trying to avoid the inevitable potholes that litter the roads.
Overall, Jaguar has managed to build a crossover that is more than pleasing to the eye than many of its peers while giving it the handling and performance of a legitimate sports car.
Where the F-Pace differs is the fact it can carry on after the paved road ends.