Jaguar enters SUV arena with style,
Sometimes the greatest pleasure of a new vehicle is just knowing that it’s one of the most revered nameplates in the world.
Such is the case for Jaguar’s first SUV, the 2017 F-Pace.
Jaguar has tried to keep the feel of its sinewy cars when it came to the F-Pace, for better and for worse. There is the distinctive shift knob that rises majestically from the center console when the engine turns on (good), the purr of its throaty exhaust (superb), the mounting of the power window switches on top of the door sill (annoying) and loads of British understatement.
But the F-Pace, which is expected to become one of Jaguar’s biggest sellers, doesn’t seem as glitzy as many other luxury SUVs out there.
No overstuffed interior. No breakthrough technology. Few gimmicks. Just a good, basic, luxurious compact-to-midsize SUV.
Our test F-Pace came with an optional head-up display, automatic braking, a speed limiting function with the ability to recognize speed zones, kick-to-open tailgate, 14-way heated front seats and an enormous power sunroof. All nice, but nothing that can’t be found on other cars, including many non-luxury brands.
Jaguar F-Pace stands out on the basics. From the outside, our test model was a stunner. The “ultimate black metallic” paint, a $550 option, was paired with black 22-inch wheels, a $3,500 option, for a sinister look that drew admiring stares just about everywhere we drove it.
Then there is the sweet-sounding, 340-horsepower 3-liter supercharged V-6 engine that pounded out more acceleration in “sport” mode than any driver could possibly need. Just in case, there’s also a 380-horsepower version that comes billed as capable of 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds. A diesel-powered version is coming, too.
Gas mileage wasn’t as impres- sive. Our version rated at 18 miles a gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for a combined 20 mpg. We thought it might be more given the car’s lightweight aluminum body and chassis.
Though relatively thirsty, this Jaguar is one of the easiest, carefree SUVs we have encountered. It’s quiet enough that it isn’t that noticeable when the engine switches back on at a red light due to the gas-saving stop-start system.
It goes where you point it, helped by a 10.2-inch touchscreen for an excellent view via the backup camera and a pleasant, not pillow-soft, ride.
F-Pace is a mild all-wheel-drive SUV for urban adventurers, meant more for jaunts to the opera than bolting over boulders.
It’s size seemed just right for most maneuvering into parking spaces and other tight spots. The only time size seemed wanting was when it came to oversize cargo. A 4-foot-square panel, for instance, won’t fit.
Besides being upscale, F-Pace seems sure to lure buyers who like nice cars with simple, straightforward interiors and who want a pleasant, if not energetic, driving experience. @ChrisWoodyard USA TODAY