The fact that the F-PACE is the only product to survive in the modern Jaguar lineup moving forward, as the brand prepares for a portfolio-wide electrification makeover, is a testament to how good of an SUV it still is. Essentially unchanged since the 2021 refresh, it remains one of the better performance-oriented offerings in the segment today.
“The new FPACE is dynamic and assertive with an elegant stance on the road—it represents a significant development of Jaguar design language,” says Julian Thomson, Jaguar Design Director, in a media release back when the facelifted crossover was first revealed. “The heightened luxury and attention to detail inside the FPACE with seamlessly integrated state-of-the-art technologies ensure both driver and passengers feel a real sense of occasion whenever they get in the vehicle.”
For 2024, the previously optional Black Exterior Pack is now standard equipment, bringing a Gloss Black finish to the grille and surround, side window trim, door mirror caps, rear badges, and 21-inch alloy wheels—a nice match to the Carpathian Grey paint (+ $1,700) on our press loaner.
Slimmer quad headlamps housing Double J Blade signature LED daytime running lights give a more premium appearance than the original units, and the equally slim rear tails are inspired by the I-PACE EV featuring the double chicane LED elements when illuminated. Other latest version highlights include the larger flush-mounted grille, reshaped air intakes, and updated mesh design.
Expanded standard equipment continues in the interior: the leather steering wheel is heated, there are additional USB inputs, and the headliner is a classy Ebony color complementing the dark exterior theme. The large 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment-powered curved glass touchscreen works decently, but I prefer the former physical buttons over the sometimes unresponsive virtual climate controls below.
The bolstered sporty bucket seats boast a massaging function and look fantastic, like the rest of the cabin, swathed in Ebony perforated Windsor leather (+ $700). Active Road Noise Cancellation uses opposite sound waves from the 14-speaker Meridian stereo to efficiently counteract unwanted external sounds.
The P400 R-Dynamic grade we tested packs the 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder mild-hybrid mill, making 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Plenty quick, with a 0 to 100 km/h speed of 5.4 seconds, the eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and the exhaust produces a nice rumble under heavy acceleration. The double-wishbone front/multi-link rear suspension setup means the vehicle can hold its own through any twisty bits, especially since the all-wheel drive system is rear-axle biased.
Having done a fair share of inclement weather driving during my week-long loan, the customizable JaguarDrive Control came in handy. Comfort and Eco modes are great for daily fair conditions motoring or switch to Rain-Ice Snow for slipperier surfaces where throttle mapping, shift points, and other settings are automatically adjusted to suit the environment. Dynamic is reserved for extracting the most fun out of the F-PACE.
The 2024 Jaguar F-PACE P400 R-Dynamic S starts at $76,400 MSRP and is available now.
Highlights (as tested):
MSRP: $78,800
Motor: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder
Horsepower: 395 @5,500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 406 @ 2,000 rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 15.8 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)
