2021 Jaguar F-Pace

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

Cons: Firm ride, especially with optional upsized wheels; limited center-console space

CG Says: The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace has a new midline engine and revisions to its other powertrains. The previous 380-horsepower supercharged V6 has been replaced by a turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline six paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that is rated at 335 hp for the P340 version or 395 hp in the R-Dynamic P400 model. The base P250 turbo 2.0-liter four loses its high-output 296-hp version and is now only available with 246 hp. The high-performance SVR’s supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is still rated at 550 hp, but torque increases from 502 lb-ft to 516. Jaguar says the SVR accelerates 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 178 mph. There are also tweaks to the SVR’s suspension and brakes. All F-Paces have refreshed exterior styling and a revised interior that includes a new infotainment system that can download over-the-air updates. Blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, heat front seats, and keyless entry are now standard on all models. 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. 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, 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 6-cylinder 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.