2017 Jaguar F Pace Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2017?
The entire Jaguar F Pace is new for 2017! This is Jaguar's first luxury performance SUV, and updates are already in the works for the 2018 model.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2017 Jaguar F Pace – The Pros
1. Spacious Cargo Area and Backseat
The 2017 Jaguar F Pace is surprisingly spacious compared to other SUVs in its class. The seats are adjustable enough to create plenty of legroom even for taller people. The back seat is more spacious than many of its competitors and can easily fit longer-legged adults. With the seats in place, cargo space on the F Pace is a best-in-class 33.5 cubic feet, and when the seats are taken down, this is increased to 63.5 cubic space. You can easily haul camping gear or a kayak in the back of the F Pace.
2. Fun to Drive
The F Pace is a spunky SUV. Acceleration on the 35t AWD models is a swift 5.4 seconds going from 0 to 60 mph and is slightly faster at 5.1 on the S trim. The F Pace drives similarly to Jaguar's sports cars and sedans, so you will not feel like you're driving a clunky SUV. The V6 engine has a good amount of get-up-and-go power, and the all-wheel drive system lends a level of security while driving in difficult conditions.
3. A Supercharged V6 Engine
The supercharged V6 engine generates an impressive 340 hp in most trims and a whopping 380 hp in the S trim. Granted, these engines are a bit gas-thirsty. The 20d diesel engine is a good compromise if you want better fuel efficiency, and it still performs pretty well compared to engines in the competitors' vehicles.
4. The Diesel Engine Option
It seems that the 20d diesel is one of the two diesel engines you can find in a luxury SUV. The other is in the BMW X3. The 20d is extremely fuel efficient and manages to produce 180 hp and 318 pounds-feet of torque. It hums from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, which is comparable to the engine on the X3.
5. High Ground Clearance
The 2017 Jaguar F Pace has a high ground clearance, which makes it look proportional to the rest of the vehicle and makes it great for your off-roading adventures. You won't have to worry about bottoming out your Jag on a bump or in a pothole.
6. It's Great for Off-roading
The F Pace does a fantastic job while off-roading due to its high ground clearance. Also, Jaguar incorporated some of the off-road technology found in the Land Rover. You won't have any problems tackling steep hills or rocky surfaces in the F Pace.
7. Competitive Pricing
Most of the F Pace's competitors price in the same ballpark but have turbocharged engines and get lackluster horsepower compared to the V6 engine and hp that even the F Pace's base trim gets. You will be hard-pressed to find another high-performing vehicle with all of its specs and features for cheaper in this class.
8. The Prestige Model's Features
The Prestige trim packs an impressive list of standard and optional features, and you can opt for the Prestige Vision package, which features adaptive LED headlamps. On the interior, you get comfortable and sophisticated leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and four-way adjustable front seats with lumbar support.
9. The Driver Assistance Package
The Driver Assistance Package is a great optional package to add onto the F Pace. Adaptive cruise control, speed limit notification, forward collision warning, an automated parking system, and three extra parking cameras all comes with the Driver Assistance Package, which can be equipped on the R-Sport or S trims.
10. The InTouch Pro Touchscreen Interface
A lot of competitors have subpar interfaces, but the F Pace features the InTouch Pro touchscreen interface, which has easy-to-read buttons, a customizable menu, and gives a fast response. Menu items make sense and are intuitively placed, making this one of the most user-friendly touchscreen interfaces out there.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2017 Jaguar F Pace – The Cons
1. It's Not Very Fuel Efficient
Since its V6 is so powerful, it consumes a lot of gas. Fuel economy for the 2017 Jaguar F Pace is a mere 20 mpg combined (18 mpg city/23 mpg highway) on most trims, performing below most of its competitors. You will have to buy the optional 20d diesel engine if you want to get gas mileage that is in the upper 20's. Otherwise, you are sacrificing fuel efficiency for powerful road performance.
2. A Firm Ride
The F Pace provides a rather firm ride, especially if you get the larger 20- or 22-inch wheels. However, the vehicle makes up for it with crisp steering and a well-crafted suspension.
3. The Noisy Exhaust
The F Pace's exhaust, similar to the F Type, can be a bit loud and obnoxious for a daily driver. It is a relatively minor complaint, but if you're looking for an extremely quiet ride, you won't get it from the F Pace.
How it stacks up to the competition:
2017 Jaguar F Pace vs. 2017 Maserati Levante
Unlike the 2017 Jaguar F Pace, the Levante has a turbocharged engine which gets good acceleration and similar horsepower. However, its fuel economy is even worse than the F Pace at 16 mpg combined, and you will pay about $20,000 more for the Levante.
2017 Jaguar F Pace vs. 2017 Audi Q5
The Q5 is similarly priced, but it offers less cargo space and has a less-than-impressive engine performance compared to the F Pace. There is an option for a supercharged V6 engine, but you'll be paying more for it.
Conclusion
The 2017 Jaguar F Pace might be new on the market, but it is already leaving a lasting impression with its high-performing V6 engine and comfortable handling both on and off the road. You will struggle to find a more well-equipped luxury SUV for the price.
