Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar is well known for making ultra-luxury premium sedans like the XJ and sportscars like the F-Type but when they decided that they will make their own sport utility vehicle, we all thought that it's going to be a Land Rover in Jaguar's clothing, but we are sort of wrong with this one...

2017 Jaguar F-Pace

Called the F-Pace, Jaguar's first ever crossover utility vehicle marks a new chapter in its lifetime and whenever this crossover is up against the likes of the Macan or the X3 or the GLC or the Q5 or even its stablemate, the Range Rover Evoque, it will be the F-Pace, as Jaguar states.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace

On the contrary, the F-Pace is not a Land Rover in Jaguar overalls because it uses the same underbelly as Jaguar's latest saloons, the XE and the new XF, so you may expect this to behave like a sportscar but you have to do better than that because despite its sports saloon underpinnings, the F-Pace isn't as sharp as either the XE or the new XF but as a crossover utility vehicle, the all-capable F-Pace sure is as witty as quick-shooting a sawed-off shotgun at different sides. However, don't get too jumpy because even if the F-Pace behaves like a sportscar because of its F-Type-inspired characteristics, cases of understeering is likely, probably due to its 4WD drivetrain (even if its recalibrated to allow most of the power goes to the rear wheels) and its electric power steering.

Back when these things stuffed onto the F-Type sportscar, my observation that I was going to think that the 4WD and power steering would degrade the F-Type's character but no. If drivers managed to get things right, the 4WD and power steering wouldn't be a problem to the F-Type and here in the F-Pace, the right timing will show how much fun this crossover would do, despite its weight. When you opt in for the high-end S with the 3.0 litre V6 380PS Supercharged Petrol engine, best not to overdo it or else you'll mess it up. Same thing goes for the 3.0L V6 diesel engine because even if it has a higher torque output than the petrol engine, there's no hiding from the clattering the engine gets.

It may have a great noise for a V6 engine but for everyday use, you can either go for the 2.0L turbodiesel engine with 180PS of power. It maybe short on power but I'm not highly sure that its efficiency maybe the key to make the F-Pace a practical crossover for business and leisure because with all that ruckus going on, it's hard to determine how fuel efficient this small Ingenium diesel is, especially with the claimed combined mileage of 4.9l/100km when a 6-speed manual is equipped.

Oh yeah, while most models do come with a hefty 8-speed automatic gearbox, the 2.0L diesel variant is the only variant to come standard with a 6-speed manual.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace interior

The F-Pace may have some Jaguar charm on the design department, but it's surprisingly technologically advanced and practical. There's some room in the back that can fit your leisurely stuff on your next day off. It even comes with an array of gadgets in partial terms of safety and convenience, including the brand new Activity Key, which allows the wearer to open the car when made contact and it's surprisingly durable, meaning you can take out in all sorts of outdoor activities. Who would have thought that Jaguar made some kind of wearable tech for discerning owners of the F-Pace crossover?

2017 Jaguar F-Pace

The Jaguar F-Pace starts at 34,170 Pounds and while this is as costly as the German-made luxury crossovers, the F-Pace shows how much handy capable Jaguar's first crossover can do. Its capabilities as a multirole is fairly unorthodox for a Jaguar of this magnitude but the F-Pace is surely ready to rise up from the challenge, no matter the odds.

Available colors: Polaris White, Ebony Black, Glacier White, Ultimate Black, Ammonite Grey, Dark Sapphire Blue, British Racing Green, Quartzite, Italian Racing Red, Odyssey Red, Rhodium Silver, Tempest Grey, Storm Grey, and Ingot.

Photo: Jaguar Land Rover