2021 Jaguar F-PACE Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Jaguar freshens the F-Pace for the 2021 model year. The crossover SUV’s styling, already terrific, gets touched up while the interior gets a needed makeover with more premium materials and a new infotainment system. New mild-hybrid six-cylinder powertrains also debut, and the high-performance F-Pace SVR is more capable than ever.

As Jaguar concentrates on executing its ambitious electrification plans, the automaker simplifies its entire lineup for 2021, and the new F-Pace is no exception. You’ll choose between the P250, P250 S, P340 S, P400 R-Dynamic, and P550 SVR models. Pricing for the entry-level P250 starts at $49,995. That figure includes all-wheel drive (AWD) and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Upgrades include a turbocharged and light-electrified six-cylinder engine in the P340 S ($59,395) and P400 R-Dynamic ($65,200), the latter delivering more horsepower and torque for faster acceleration. Our review vehicle was the only version of the SUV available in Los Angeles: the wickedly quick and exclusive F-Pace SVR, which starts at $84,600 and includes a supercharged V8 engine.

Naturally, Jaguar loaded our test vehicle with a bunch of extras, including Desire Deep Red paint priced at $4,550. This hue, plus the 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, semi-aniline premium leather, Hot Climate Pack, Meridian premium surround-sound system, head-up display, and a few other odds and ends (including dark-tinted rear privacy glass for $200) brought the test model’s MSRP to $97,379 including the destination charge of $1,150.

The new interior goes a long way towards justifying that amount of money. Whereas the previous F-Pace looked and felt unfinished in places, this updated model does not. It’s also more luxurious and plush than the previous F-Pace, and the controls and displays offer a better user experience.

As for the exterior styling, the F-Pace’s tidied up front and rear ends lend the SUV greater maturity and sophistication. Jaguar wisely resists the temptation of going further, though, ensuring the F-Pace remains one of the most attractive vehicles in its segment. Plus, with a multitude of paint colors, wheel designs, upholstery choices, and trim finishes, it is easy to custom-tailor an F-Pace’s appearance to your personal preferences.

At its base price, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace has a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine making 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Jaguar claims an acceleration run to 60 mph of 6.9 seconds, which is leisurely for the segment.

You’ll likely want to step up to the new mild-hybrid 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. Turbocharged and supercharged, it generates 335 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque in P340 S specification. Upgrade to the P400 R-Dynamic, and you’ll benefit from 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. Acceleration to 60 mph with these power plants ranges from 5.1 to 5.8 seconds, according to Jaguar.

For maximum everything, you’ll want the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. A thundering supercharged 5.0-liter V8 bellows through quad exhaust outlets to the tune of 550 hp and 516 lb-ft. New Dynamic Launch technology delivers 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, according to Jaguar, and the F-Pace SVR’s top speed is a claimed 178 mph. An eight-speed automatic transmission that adapts to how the SUV is driven powers all four wheels.

The SVR’s design modifications reduce lift by 35 percent, helping to keep the test vehicle’s already sticky Pirelli P Zero performance tires glued to the ground. Upgraded brakes with revised pedal feel resist heat and fade to consistently haul the SUV down from speed. For the 2021 model year, Jaguar also retuned the steering for quicker response and modified the adaptive suspension to deliver a more agreeable ride during the daily drive.

Standard Configurable Dynamics provides different driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, and Dynamic. Adaptive Surface Response (a $150 option) aids traction during poor weather or when traveling on grass, gravel, or snow. An active exhaust system adjusts according to the driving mode, or the driver can control loudness using a button on the center console.

Given this hardware and software, perhaps it comes as no surprise to hear that the F-Pace SVR is an exceptionally capable performer on the pavement. Downright fast when you push hard on the accelerator, the engine and exhaust note are intoxicating to an enthusiast driver. Driven with fervor, the F-Pace SVR proves predictable and trustworthy, exhibiting snappy response, a delightful soundtrack, astonishing grip, and indefatigable braking.

What’s more obvious is the near-total lack of a phenomenon called head toss. When a tall and heavy vehicle travels over uneven pavement, it can rock from side to side, causing occupants’ heads to wobble a bit. That’s head toss. And it’s almost entirely absent from the F-Pace SVR.

Not only that, but in all driving situations, the SVR remains as calm, cool, and collected as the best sports sedans. Jaguar successfully quells unwanted body motions, but despite this composure and the low-profile performance tires, the F-Pace SVR remains agreeable to drive in urban and suburban situations.

Now, some people might think the F-Pace SVR represents overkill. “Who needs this kind of capability on public roads?” they might ask.

At one point during our evaluation drive, we rounded a blind curve with a 55-mph speed limit only to find an oncoming driver in our lane of travel who was attempting to pass a cyclist. The F-Pace SVR reacted immediately to driver inputs, instantly bringing the SUV to a near stop while providing the steering accuracy necessary to steer as far to the right as possible. In short, in this emergency situation, the F-Pace SVR proved utterly unflappable.

And that’s why you need a vehicle with capable performance even if you’re not an enthusiast driver.

Don’t let the F-Pace SVR’s performance-bolstered seats fool you. They’re comfortable, equipped with 14-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated cushions, and supple premium leather upholstery with intricate detailing and a beautiful pattern on the seat backs. The sole complaints relate to the seat belts. They can be difficult to buckle due to tight clearances, and the passenger’s buckle occasionally knocks on the plastic covering the door frame as you’re driving.

Our SVR test vehicle was loaded with rich, premium materials aligned with its lofty price tag. Jaguar has certainly stepped up its game on this front. Also, the driver and front passenger face a new dashboard offering the promise of an easier user experience. A new electronic shifter design replaces the previous rotary dial and represents a better approach, aside from a need to be deliberate about choosing Reverse gear when you’re already in Drive.

Haptic steering wheel and climate control buttons allow Jag to create smooth, seamless gloss-black control panels, but they often require a stab or two or three before they respond. The F-Pace does have temperature adjustment knobs with finicky integrated seat heating and cooling functions, and the climate system includes an air ionizer with PM2.5 filtration capability.

A five-passenger SUV, the F-Pace is a ‘tweener residing between traditional compact models (like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC) and larger midsize models, but it offers enough room in the back seat to accommodate two adults. The bottom cushion is mounted a little low, but otherwise, most passengers will be content to enjoy the rear climate controls, USB ports, and a panoramic sunroof that extends to a point over their heads.

Interior storage is stingy, and it's hard to reach around the shifter to retrieve a smartphone from the wireless charging pad. There is a pass-through tray underneath the center console, but it's more like a cave into which items will disappear than a useful place to put things.

The cargo area is narrow but offers good floor space, storage hooks, and side storage netting. A 40/20/40-split folding back seat expands cargo space from 39.6 cubic feet to 71.8 cubic feet.

Perhaps the most significant upgrade to the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace, the new Pivi Pro infotainment system platform (also used by sibling brand Land Rover) promises a leap forward with regard to the user experience while its new over-the-air software update capability allows the automaker to add new features and services over time.

Based on our evaluation, Pivi Pro is a big improvement over the previous technology. The 11.4-inch touchscreen display offers an intuitive interface and appealing graphics, and both system load time and response to inputs is better than before. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as well. However, the voice recognition technology isn’t what it should be.

In our experience, it is easy to inadvertently activate the voice assistant, and it can be difficult to purposely rouse the system. Plus, the technology requires specificity, demanding the use of “Chipotle Mexican Grill” instead of “Chipotle” when your tummy is rumbling for a burrito. It could not find a favorite local restaurant when given the name of the establishment and the street. When asked to adjust the cabin temperature, Pivi Pro instead presented a menu for the interior lighting.

Generally, aside from the improved user experience with the screen itself, Pivi Pro is not up to par with leading competitors and will likely produce frustration in owners who expect a seamless experience. Similarly, the optional Meridian surround-sound audio system is not as good as it should be for an $85,000 vehicle.

There is one other piece of technology worth mentioning, and that’s the F-Pace’s optional Activity Key. This wrist strap works like a digital key, locking, unlocking, and starting the F-Pace, allowing you to leave the key fob at home while you exercise or explore the great outdoors. And since it’s not a smartphone app, you need not worry about losing your phone or discharging its battery while you’re away from the F-Pace.

Jaguar provides a robust collection of driver-assistance systems in every 2021 F-Pace. Adaptive cruise control is an option for all but the SVR.

During testing, the adaptive cruise worked smoothly when driving in a straight line, managing variable traffic conditions without sudden or inconsistent braking. However, southbound on the Pacific Coast Highway driving toward Malibu, where the road gently bends and curves with regularity, the car ahead easily disappeared from and reappeared within the system's range of detection. This resulted in lots of speeding up and slowing down, which in turn irritated the driver behind us.

We also experienced several inaccurate lane-departure notifications and mystery warnings while driving the F-Pace, and in a couple of cases, these false and undefined alarms added to driver distraction right when we needed to concentrate on what other motorists were doing. This behavior caused aggravation.

Unlike many competitors, the F-Pace does not offer a lane-centering assistance system for highway driving. It does, however, offer an optional Park Assist system that works for parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. A new Clear Exit Monitor warns occupants not to open a door when it's unsafe.

Because neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has performed evaluations on this SUV, crash-test ratings are unavailable for the F-Pace.

With a starting price that squeaks in under the $50,000 price point, and considering that attractive design goes a long way toward selling any vehicle, the Jaguar F-Pace should easily perk interest in luxury SUV buyers. Add the standard Jaguar EliteCare program, which supplies five years and 60,000 miles of complimentary maintenance, roadside assistance, and warranty coverage, and an F-Pace lease should prove a compelling value.

But there is more to choosing a luxury vehicle than value. For example, exclusivity is a factor, and in Southern California, the F-Pace is a relative rarity compared to Audis, BMWs, Lexuses, Mercedes-Benzes, Porsches, and Volvos. That’s especially true of the SVR, giving wealthy luxury SUV buyers an opportunity to dare to be different.

Sure, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace is imperfect. But it makes up for its flaws with style, character, and in SVR specification, ungodly performance.