2020 Jaguar F-Type Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE epitomizes what it means to be a sports car. It sits low to the ground, has an ultra-modern and sleek design, and it's powered by a capable engine. With the F-TYPE, Jaguar has built a high-performing vehicle that comes with several luxury elements that the brand is known for. It's hard to go wrong with a car that comes with so many amenities inside the cabin, under the hood, and on the exterior.

What's New for 2020?

Previous model years have included manual transmission, but that option is no longer being offered. Additions include front parking sensors to help drivers avoid getting any scratches on their cars as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is quickly becoming an expected feature in most modern vehicles, especially ones with higher price tags. What's most notable about the 2020 model year is that the Checkered Flag Limited Edition is making its debut. This gives customers one more thing to consider when deciding which F-TYPE would best live up to their expectations.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Jaguar F-Type – The Pros

1. Five Engines Available

Jaguar has built its F-TYPE to work with several engines. The base model is a 2.0-liter I4 that can reach speeds of 155 miles per hour (mph). It has 296 horsepower, so it can get to that 60 mph mark in about five and a half seconds. The next level up is a 3.0-liter V6, which can hit a top speed of 161 mph. It has 340 horsepower, which is a noticeable upgrade, and a similar V6 in the F-TYPE R-DYNAMIC and Checkered Flag trims can generate 380 horsepower.

The F-TYPE R and SVR are in a different league, both running on 5.0-liter V8 versions. They come standard as all-wheel drive vehicles, and they can get to 60 mph in under 4 seconds. Their top speeds get close to or hit the impressive 200-mph mark, so these are definitely the premium cars to choose if one wants to focus on performance. The F-TYPE R has 550 horsepower, and the F-TYPE SVR has 575 horsepower.

2. Relatively Good Gas Mileage

It's a great bonus that the F-TYPE does have respectable gas mileage since efficiency isn't the first thing to come to mind when thinking of sports cars. The base model is estimated to earn 23/30 (city/highway) miles per gallon, which is excellent considering that many lesser sedans are in that general range as well. After bumping up the engine, the numbers do drop, but combined mpg on the V6 is still in the mid-20s. Even the V8s have a combined fuel efficiency of about 20 mpg.

3. Excellent Handling

The 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE feels athletic and quick, and it's ready for anything from taking a straight shot on the highway to conquering a twisty mountain road. With precise steering, people feel in command of where the car is heading, and the tires do a good job of hugging the road thanks to torque vectoring. An available Adaptive Dynamics suspension does a bit better than the standard suspension at responding to changing road conditions and cushioning the ride.

4. Choose Your Design

The 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE comes as either a coupe or a convertible. Both share the same overall body shape. Offering a convertible option helps the Jaguar appeal to those buyers who love the feeling of zooming down the road with the top down. It's an unparalleled experience that some people may specifically be looking for as they shop for new vehicles.

5. A Unique Trim

The F-TYPE Checkered Flag Edition, new for 2020, has its own type of feel. It rides on 20" split-spoke wheels, and it has extended side sills. Inside, the car has an exclusive Checkered Flag steering wheel with a heating element, and the seats are embossed with a special badge. Red seat belts provide pops of color and match the illuminated treadplates.

6. It Actually Has Cargo Space

The trunk of the 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE is fairly practical, which might not be what some people would expect. It has a total volume of 14.4 cubic feet, which is on par with many other vehicles. This gives people options in terms of taking the car on long road trips or any type of adventure that requires special gear. Accessing the trunk is made more convenient with the optional power trunk lid. On the convertible, there is still 7.3 cubic feet of space.

7. 10-Inch Touchscreen

With electronic devices, bigger often means better. With the F-TYPE, drivers get to use a large, 10-inch touchscreen to control their infotainment systems. It comes with seamless smartphone integration and built-in navigation, eliminating the need for people to fiddle with their phones while driving. The size of the touchscreen also adds to the cockpit-style feel of the cabin.

8. Great Sound System

Standard on the 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE is a Meridian sound system that comes with ten speakers placed in strategic locations around the cabin. The result is a clear, crisp sound. If anyone really loves their music, he or she can update the system to have 12 speakers. Since the cabin is intimate to begin with, either arrangement is attractive to those people who love driving while singing along with their favorite songs.

9. Comprehensive Safety Package

All trims come with automatic emergency braking and parking sensors in both the front and back. Additionally, they have rearview cameras to help drivers see what's behind them, systems that can monitor whether people are paying attention to the road, and windshield wipers that can automatically turn on when they sense rain. With lane keep assist, the F-TYPE can gently steer itself into the center of a lane, and having the ability to recognize traffic sign recognition means that the car can remind drivers about important traffic information.

10. Sophisticated Interior

The quality of the interior components depends on which trim is selected, but the base models are still packed with features. For instance, the standard 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE comes with a knurled aluminum console in the center, electric sport seats that can be adjusted in 12 ways and have a memory function, and leather and suede in the seat coverings. On the higher trims, even the carpet mats come with premium materials, and the interior lighting can be customized to create the right ambience.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Jaguar F-Type – The Cons

1. Small Cabin

It's not exactly a surprise that the F-TYPE doesn't come with a roomy interior. A driver can bring along up to one passenger, and this factor immediately sets the car apart from sportier sedans that can fit four or five people. With the way the car is designed, taller passengers may feel a bit cramped in the front and could have to take a few seconds getting in and out of the seats.

2. The Engine Roars

Despite the industry having the ability to dampen the engine and exterior sound, Jaguar hasn't done a very good job of making the 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE quiet. Instead, the engine is easily heard from people inside the cabin, and road sounds also come through loud and clear. While some may prefer to hear and feel the roar of the engine, others may prefer a more serene environment.

3. Horsepower Is Good, But Not Great

Base models of the F-TYPE have 296 horsepower, and while this is a solid number, it's too bad that it couldn't have reached over the 300-hp threshold. Yes, there's the option to upgrade to a different trim that could have up to 550 horsepower, but it would have been nice to see a stronger base engine.

4. Plastic Panels

With a luxury vehicle, one might expect to see leather, genuine wood, and other fine materials everywhere in the cabin. With the 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE, there is certainly a lot of leather and suede, but some of the door panels are built with plastic. This can be seen as a misstep on Jaguar's part, since it detracts from the overall style.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

There are several competitors to the F-TYPE in this exclusive niche of the automotive market. At this level, it's all about performance and quality, and the F-TYPE does well in many categories. It does better than the Chevrolet Corvette in terms of gas mileage, and the higher trims of the F-TYPE outshine the BMW 8-Series in the horsepower competition.

Conclusion

If anyone is interested in a sports car like the 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE, it's a good bet that he or she cares about style, luxury, and performance. The F-TYPE will likely meet most people's expectations in these areas. What helps the car stand out in a competitive market that caters to people with refined tastes is that it comes in several different trims. People who want a more basic version can go with the standard model, and they can be happy with having almost 300 horsepower. Those who want to be more flashy can go with a convertible or one of the higher trims and zoom down the road while showing off.