With that, let’s focus on the cabin before discussing the numerous, albeit subtle exterior changes. The Jaguar F-Pace was never lacking in power and driving emotion. It remains a pleasant-handling SUV with the agility and athleticism of Jaguar’s F-Type, and that’s high praise for what is seemingly a practical yet luxurious family SUV. But for all its inherent sportiness, the F-Pace’s biggest drawback is its lacklustre interior, and Jaguar is addressing this from the roots for the 2022 F-Pace.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace debuts an elegant 11.4-inch curved touchscreen display. It not only looks better than the outdated 10.0-inch unit of the old F-Pace, but it now has a user-friendlier interface with intuitive menus and faster response times. The driver also receives a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster running Jaguar’s latest Pivi Pro software.

Meanwhile, the 2021 F-Pace has a new three-spoke steering wheel with touch-capacitive buttons, which we reckon is lifted directly from the I-Pace electric car. Whereas the outgoing F-Pace had a rotary shifter that rises when the engine comes to life, the 2022 F-Pace now has a conventional shift knob. Also new is 10-color ambient lighting, standard keyless entry, and a Meridian audio system with 14 speakers. The interior is also home to better soft-touch materials and open-pore wood veneers to deliver a posher vibe.

On the outside, the new Jaguar F-Pace has a larger grille, a new bonnet with cleaner lines, slimmer LED headlights with new signature J-shaped daytime running lamps, and new taillights. The new F-Pace is available in five trim levels powered by a slew of new powertrains. The F-Pace D200, D300, P250, P400 and P400e. All-wheel-drive is standard across the board as well as an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace will go on sale later this year. Pricing starts at R1 122 500.

For 2021, Jaguar has thrown new super-slim pixel LED headlights, at its stunning coupe and convertible, featuring subtly revised ‘Calligraphy’ J signature daytime running lights. At the rear, slender tail lights inherit ‘Chicane’ LED signatures similar to the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE.

That thankfully changes the interior as well. The F-TYPE’s driver-focussed 1+1 interior has been refined wit a heightened sense of luxury and sportiness. Along with deployable centre air vents, the start button’s pulsing red ‘heartbeat’ conveys a sense of theatre , while ‘Jaguar Est.1935’ markings on the centre console finisher, glovebox release button surround and seat-belt guides offer subtle reminders of Jaguar’s rich heritage.

Then there’s that 12.3-inch HD TFT instrument cluster with reconfigurable graphics. Here drivers have a choice of display themes, including a full-screen navigation map, but in true sports car fashion the default mode is set to a large central rev-counter.

According to Jaguar South Africa, three engine options are available to South African customers starting with a 221kW/400Nm Ingenium 2.0-litre 4-cylinder P300. This model dashes from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h, with an average combined fuel consumption of 7.2l/100km.

An ever-popular supercharged 3.0-litre V6 P380 with 280kW and 460Nm delivers 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds and maximum speed of 275km/h. The V6 is offered with a choice of rear- and all-wheel drive, and benefits from a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Finally, available throughout the first year of production is a special First Edition version of the P380 all-wheel drive exclusively. The First Edition adds 20” Diamond Turned alloys, ‘First Edition’ scripting on the door tread plates and aluminium instrument panel finisher and Windsor leather Performance seats in a choice of Ebony with Light Oyster stitching or Mars Red with Flame stitching. The First Edition is available in three colours – Fuji White, Santorini Black or Eiger Grey.

Setting a benchmark for a driver-focused sports car with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 at its heart, is the new F-TYPE R P575. The R makes more than generous outputs of 423kW and 700Nm and can blitz the 0-100km/h test in 3.7 seconds with a max speed of 300km/h.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Type is already on dealership floors while pricing starts at R1,243,000 and R1,241,000 for the Coupe and Convertible models respectively.

According to Jaguar, the new headlights are paired with “Calligraphy” signature J daytime running lights with slender LED tail lamps. The car can be had with a range of engines, including a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and eight-cylinder engines. All are paired up with an 8-speed transmission with paddle shifters.
The turbo four-cylinder 2l engine makes 221kW with a single, central, quadrilateral exhaust finisher. The supercharged 3l V6 produces 280kW and has two large round tailpipes. The 5l R gets a supercharged V8 that has 423kW and quad, outboard exhausts.

The car also gets a reconfigurable, HD 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, Touch Pro infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The system can be updated OTA for new features down the road. Buyers can choose from a pair of Meridian sound systems.

Customers also have the choice of the exclusive F-TYPE First Edition. Based on the R-Dynamic models, the First Edition is offered for one model year only, and has refinements such as the Exterior Design Pack in contemporary Dorchester Grey and five-spoke, 20-inch wheels in Gloss Technical Grey with contrast Diamond-Turned finish, complementing the choice of Santorini Black, Eiger Grey or Fuji White paint.

Jaguar is offering 16 new colours in the SVO Premium Paint Palette in gloss or satin finishes. The F-TYPE range will be introduced to sub-Sahara Africa sometime this year. Exact date TBC.

Most of the time, all the engine power is pushed to the rear wheels, but if the F-PACE figures there’s a loss in grip at any of the four corners, it can move the torque forward too. There’s a clever multi-plate wet clutch and chain drive underneath doing the magic, but all you really need to know is that it responds quickly: from 100-percent rear bias to 50:50 in 165 milliseconds, indeed.

It works with the new Jaguar Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR) system, which automatically switches between the best profiles for snow/ice (not that we have those here), wet tarmac/gravel, and deep snow/deep gravel. That adjusts throttle, transmission, and DSC settings accordingly, while the All Surface Progress Control (ASPC) – effectively cruise control for off-roading – can take on braking and throttle at speeds between 2.2 and 30 km/h.

Likely to see more use are the various assistive driving systems Jaguar offers on the F-PACE as part of the R30 000 Technology Package. There’s adaptive cruise control of course – it uses the sensors that flank the logo in the front grill, which look like someone forgot to take a screen-protector film off the car – as well as automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assistance, but it can also spot speed signs (including temporary ones) and flag them up on the driver display (and, if fitted, the R14 000 head-up display).

There’s even the ability to automatically adjust speed based on the legal limits, with the F-PACE offering to slow the car down if the limit decreases, or speed it up if the opposite is true, just as long as the accelerator is pressed.

A excellent-sounding 380W Meridian sound system with 11 speakers is standard, as is a panoramic sliding sunroof, auto stop/start, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Stepping up to the Premium grade – for R30 000 more – throws in 19-inch wheels, a reversing camera, power-folding mirrors, and garage door remote, while the  Prestige upgrades the leather and the Xenon lights, adds InControl apps to the infotainment – more on which in a moment – power lumbar and heating on the front seats, parking aids, keyless entry, navigation, and a heated steering wheel.

The F-PACE R-Sport has 20-inch alloys, a body kit and satin chrome trim, full-LED headlamps, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, the fancy sports seats, fog lamps, and SiriusXM, among other things.

Jaguar’s standard infotainment system, dubbed InControl Touch, uses an 8-inch touchscreen with shortcut keys either side, and offers optional connectivity with apps on a connected iPhone or Android device and navigation for another R7500. Aesthetically it looks clean, but it can be sluggish in use – the smartphone-style gesture controls Jaguar is so proud of work, but they judder and jerk – and there’s neither CarPlay nor Android Auto (yet).

Far better is InControl Touch Pro, a newer, faster, and generally improved system that’s part of the Technology Package available on Prestige trims and higher. It swaps in a wide, 10.2-inch TFT touchscreen and uses a quadcore Intel processor and SSD storage with 60GB of usable space: as a result, it’s noticeably faster to navigate around, particularly when you’re swiping through maps.

Part of that turn of speed is down to Jaguar switching to ethernet-based interconnectivity in the background, rather than the usual proprietary cabling. There’s also plenty of headroom for future upgrades, the company tells me, claiming also to have growing interest from third-party app developers keen to create companion titles for the platform.

Navigation comes as standard with InControl Touch Pro, and there are some neat features courtesy of Jaguar’s work with HERE. Arrive at your destination, for instance, and the system will automatically offer to find you nearby parking lots; alternatively, it can hand over navigation duties to the Route Planner app on your smartphone, to guide you through the final steps.

There’s also a Commute Mode, which learns your daily route and, rather than pestering you with unnecessary spoken directions, only pipes up if it spots congestion. Finally, you can share your ETA with someone via text or email, and if that changes it’ll automatically ping out an update to them.

InControl Touch Pro comes with an upgraded 825W Meridian audio system version with 17 speakers and surround sound, which sounds stellar.

The Technology Package also comes with a 12.3-inch LCD for the driver, replacing the analog gages and smaller, 5-inch LCD in lower-spec cars with an Audi Virtual Cockpit-esque screen. That can be switched between traditional dials, a full-screen 3D map, and other views

Jaguar’s other accessory worth considering is the Activity Key, a R4000 rubberized bracelet that allows you to lock the regular keys in the car while you’re at the beach, out riding your bike, or generally being active. It uses RFID and – when you tap it against the “J” in the Jaguar logo on the rear – grants access to the trunk and all of the doors.

It’s a clever idea, and conveniently battery-free and completely waterproof, but I can’t help but think it’s a little large. Think chunky-Fitbit rather than sleek Livestrong band. Also, can’t you get one free with a purchase of the vehicle?

Overall, the range of options is pretty vast, and so is the F-PACE’s price span. Personally, I’d not want to sacrifice InControl Touch Pro since it’s a marked upgrade over the standard system; that means you’re looking at R800 000 for an F-PACE Prestige at least. The Luxury Interior Upgrade and Driver Assistance Packages are only available on R-Sport and higher, however, pushing the sticker price even further.

Is the F-PACE worth it? Jaguar’s SUV is certainly more sports sedan-like to drive than most rivals in its segment, without unduly sacrificing flexibility or comfort, and – even with the company’s ambitious sales targets – is likely to be a more exclusive sight on the roads than the competition. I’d pick it over a BMW X3 or X5, certainly, and it makes the usually striking Evoque look pedestrian in comparison.

An SUV with the soul of a sports coupe was always going to be a tall order, but Jaguar has come impressively close to offering that perfect balance of practicality and performance.

Falling somewhere in-between competitors like the BMW X3 and X5, and Audi Q3 and Q5, in size, the F-PACE doesn’t take the easy route of raiding Land Rover’s parts bin but instead forges its own path on both the highway and in the rough stuff.

With one of the prettiest cars on the road today, the F-TYPE, in its portfolio, you can’t fault Jaguar for taking inspiration from the sports car for its crossover. That could still have been a recipe for disaster, but happily design director Ian Callum has pulled another rabbit out of the hat, and the F-PACE looks tremendous. We’re in Port Elizabeth (South Africa) for its media launch and first drive.

First Impressions Count

At the front, the big meaty grill and glaring headlamps lead back into a deeply sculpted hood and beefy fenders. The shoulder line rises dramatically as you get to the rear three-quarters, leaving the rear glass – as on the Range Rover Evoque – a narrow sliver. As with its brand cousin that leaves the F-PACE looking planted and solid, but unlike the Evoque rear visibility isn’t unduly impacted, and headroom in the rear seats is still comfortable.

Open the power tailgate and you’ll find 463 litres of boot space, which rises to about 200 litres more if you drop the 40/20/40 split rear seats. Higher spec cars get power-folding rear seats.

The detailing is sharp, too, with the F-TYPE lending its minimalistic tail-lamps among other things, and that continues inside. The optional Luxury Interior Upgrade Package brings, for about R30 000, suede headliners, 4-zone climate control, adjustable ambient lighting, and other niceties. Prestige trim level and above gets leather seats.

Below that, though, the faux-leather is a noticeable dip in quality, It’s still a decent place to be, but it doesn’t have quite as premium a feel. There’s still some hard plastic to be found in the lower door trim and elsewhere, and I’m not convinced by the swathe of shiny black plastic across the – admittedly easy to use – HVAC controls.

Jaguar’s sports seats, fitted on the F-PACE R-Sport and on the F-PACE S, have 14-way electric adjustment, including side-bolsters which squeeze in pleasantly to keep you in place in the corners.

Jaguar has three engine options for the F-PACE, kicking off with a 2.0-litre diesel “20d” with 132KW of power from R776 800, followed by a 221KW 3.0-liter diesel at R1 218 100 finishing off with a 3.0 supercharged V6 petrol in either 250KW  or 280KW “S” forms, from R982 700 and R1 191 1000 respectively. The turbodiesel and V6 versions come in normal, Premium, Prestige, or R-Sport form. I had the opportunity to test both petrol engines, both of which come with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard.

It takes driving the two engines back-to-back to really notice any difference in power, and for most people I suspect the F-PACE 35t will be more than sufficient. All versions share the same predominantly aluminum chassis with the F-TYPE, as well as getting double-wishbone suspension at the front and Integral Link at the back.

The electric power steering has a variable steering ratio as standard, and there are monotube dampers as standard together with brake-based torque vectoring. The F-PACE S gets adaptive dynamics which adjusts the damping based on body and wheel movement for a smoother and more agile ride.

With either engine, power delivery is immediate, though the F-PACE is more eager when the 8-speed is set to Sport mode and the chassis switched to Dynamic. The transmission does a great job of slicking through the gears itself, but there are paddles behind the wheel if you prefer; happily, in paddle mode, even when you hit the redline the F-PACE won’t overrule you and upshift, and it doesn’t automatically nudge you back into automatic mode either.

The F-TYPE DNA shows itself again when you hit the corners. There’s none of the typical SUV understeer unless you’re pushing to foolhardy extremes, the steering weighting up nicely and the car staying flat and stable. It’s worth snatching for the paddles at times like these, because they provoke a wonderful growl from the engine, swiftly followed by a sonorous back-pressure roar from the supercharger.

Click here for part 2 of this First Drive