2020 Jaguar F-Pace

Pros: Strong acceleration (V6 and V8): athletic driving personality; generous cargo room for the class

Cons: Mediocre fuel-economy ratings with V6; firm ride, especially with optional upsized wheels

CG Says: The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace gains two new models. The Checkered Flag Limited Edition has unique trim and is powered by the 247-horsepower turbo four. The 300 Sport also has unique trim, but is powered by a 296-hp version of the turbo four. All models now have standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality and the diesel engine has been dropped. Introduced for 2017, F-Pace was Jaguar’s first SUV. The F-Pace is a 5-passenger premium crossover that aims to blend the Jaguar brand’s sporty dynamic character with the cargo versatility and rough-terrain/all-weather capabilities of an SUV. The engine lineup consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that is rated at 247 hp in 25t models or 296 hp in 30t versions; supercharged 380-hp 3.0-liter V6; and a 550-horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in the SVR. Jaguar claims the SVR is capable of accelerating 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard all-wheel drive sends all power to the rear wheels unless extra traction is needed, then power is also directed to the front wheels. Like other Jaguars, F-Pace uses aluminum-intensive construction to reduce weight for better fuel economy and driving dynamics. Tech and safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking, lane-departure mitigation, blind-spot alert, driver-condition monitor, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and Wi-Fi hotspot. Also available, is Jaguar’s Activity Key, an optional waterproof wristband that can lock and unlock the vehicle and allow the key to be left securely inside while the driver participates in water sports. With the F-Pace, Jaguar brings a stylish-yet-practical vehicle to the premium compact SUV segment that also delivers impressive performance in V6 and V8 forms. If you’re shopping the Porsche Macan, Audi SQ5, or Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 AMG, be sure to check out the F-Pace SVR.