Jaguar F-PACE – punch and panache

THERE’S something vaguely reassuring to glance forward and spot the image of a Jaguar leaping from the centre of your steering wheel.

The famous emblem’s form has changed with the times, so too has the shape and size of Jaguar models, although the message of speed and precision remains a constant.

Company founder, the late Sir William Lyons, may have winced for instance to discover that the cars he created are now spearheaded by a trio of SUVs.

That said, the largest of these, the Jaguar F-PACE is actually the fastest-selling model in the company’s history – and though it has been around since 2016, it still possesses the technology, comfort and panache to give more recent rivals a run for their money.

This is in no small part due to a serious mid-life revamp that added a huge helping of style and subtlety to the F-PACE, as well as making the car’s interior feel appreciably more upmarket and adding a raft of new tech.

The engine line-up was also expanded to include a plug-in hybrid, the P400e which is the subject of our latest review.

Featuring a 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing a hefty 398bhp, some 141bhp of which comes from the Jaguar’s electric motor, and all-wheel drive, the P400e has a theoretical electric range of 40 miles.

Show a cast-iron discipline by using a home wallbox and avoiding the engine for urban journeys and Jaguar believes it’s possible to return a potential 163 miles per gallon, though only the most well-ordered drivers are likely to achieve it.

What’s certain is that the F-PACE is both a rewarding and exhilarating SUV to drive, courtesy of a terrific suspension set-up, a quartet of driving modes, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed ZF auto transmission.

It has the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in bang on five seconds, and the P400e flows through bends with far more agility than you might expect from such a heavy (1.8 tonnes) vehicle.

Company car drivers in particular should favour the plug-in hybrid over the mild hybrid petrol and diesel models that make up the rest of the range as it occupies a much lower Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket.

Move inside and the latest F-PACE looks and feels a genuine premium SUV, which wasn’t always the case with the Jag’s cabin. Now it’s classy and modern featuring lots of soft black leather and shiny silver detail. You also get a full length glass roof.

Space is plentiful throughout with a bright, airy atmosphere up front with loads of leg and headroom plus room to stretch out in the back, the only tight spot being in the centre rear position which is perched and quite narrow.

The cabin also caters well for oddments and includes large door bins, a glovebox, stowage under the centre console and several other cubbies plus a smartphone charging pad.

Opt for the R-Dynamic SE trim of our tested model and a Black Pack with gloss finish applied to the door mirror caps as well as the grille, window surrounds, fender vents, rear valance and rear badges comes as standard.

Buyers also get a wealth of tech and safety gear on every spec grade to include a Meridian sound system with connectivity through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay plus integrated Alexa voice control and what3words navigation.

R-Dynamic SE also brings in 20-inch diamond-turned or black finish wheels though goodies like Carpathian Grey paint, a head-up display and ebony suedecloth headlining are optional extras.

They all contribute to a full-size SUV that not only looks the part but is economic, classy, comfortable and boasts some serious dynamics.