Cars on board: Dockside Style – Jaguar F Pace S
Apr 25, 2019
By Glen Konorowski
Every once in a while as automotive journalist, I find a test vehicle that is just a suits my tastes just that little bit more than the others. Generally I am not a SUV kind of person, but the F Pace is just that little bit special in the fact that you have the room to put lots of gear into it, plus lots of room for four adults (five in a pinch) and best of all it handles like a sports car.
The test vehicle I was given to test was the F Pace S, the sport model of the lineup. The F Pace is the middle model in the Jaguars line of SUVs. I find it a perfect size for city driving, but stable enough to travel on the highway quite well. During the time I had the Jag I had it loaded with people and equipment and it handled perfect all the time.
Speaking of luggage, the F Pace is very capable of holding four decent large duffels without any problems plus a little more.
What you find getting into the F Pace is a nice leather interior and comfortable seats both front and rear. The dash area is fairly easy to use with just a little learning. The large tach and Speedometer were easy to read and placed right in front of the driver something that is not always that easy to see. The large touch screen in the centre is again fairly easy to read and operate. The steering wheel has basic controls for the extra functions as well as cruise control and radio volume. For those who like to sift through the gears themselves, paddle shifters are mounted behind the steering wheel that don’t get in the way for regular driving.
Both driver and passenger seats have plenty of controls giving driver and passenger endless amounts of adjustment for a comfortable seating position. Rear seat also have forward and aft adjustment for a little more comfort. Getting in the rear is easy enough and what you expect for and SUV. Back seats can be folded for more cargo space with a 40/20/40 split combination depending on your needs. The test F Pace also had a large glass sunroof with I enjoyed as well.
The F Pace is light compared to many of its contemporaries as it is made of 80 percent aluminum and placing the engine back a perfect 50/50 weight balance is achieved for better handling which I like. Pushing power to all four wheels is a 3L supercharged V6 engine developing 360hp. and 332lb.ft. of torque giving the F Pace a 0 to 100kph. in just 5.5 seconds. Now, if you need to tow, the F Pace will pull up to 2400kg. (5300lb.) which is not to bad for a sporty SUV.
Moving the power out to the optional 22in. wheels is a 8-speed automatic, which as you would expect shifts seamlessly up and down through the gears. 20in. wheels are standard on the F Pace but my test vehicle had the optional 22in. wheels that have shod with 265/40R22 tires. These tires kept the F Pace well adhered to the pavement in dry or wet weather.
The test F Pace listed for $70,000 and with the options on this car it topped out at just over $83,300. Considering its great handling and what is included in this vehicle plus options, it is really not badly priced when one compares it to other luxury SUVs. Would I buy one if I were in the market, without hesitation.
Price: Base $69,900 as tested $83,330
Engine: 3L double overhead cam supercharged V6
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic All Wheel Drive
Fuel Consumption: 13.3L/100km City and 10L/100km. Highway
Glen Konorowski is a life long automotive enthusiast and automotive journalist for 35-years. He also claims to be former Commodore of the Monty Carlo Yacht Club!
Read about more Cars on Board: Subaru Outback 2019, Porsche Cayenne S
