Effectively a raised sport sedan, the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace is an under-appreciated luxury SUV that excels for performance and style. The F-Pace is a compact luxury SUV that combines two of Jaguar’s traditions: sleek styling and agile moves. It competes against luxury rivals such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3/X4, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Porsche Macan, and Land Rover Velar. The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace is a hidden gem of a luxury SUV. Its sleek looks are obvious, but it offers sporty handling and a gracefully appointed interior.
Following last year’s refresh, the five-seat crossover SUV remains mostly unchanged. Slimmer LED headlights underscored by hockey-stick DRLs greet the front, but the exquisite proportions of the body remain unchanged. Its long nose, sculpted hood, and clean lines rise into a muscular rear end like its inspiration, the F-Type sports car. The refresh largely benefitted the interior, and synthesizes the cluster, infotainment, and controls more befitting of a luxury brand.
The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace blends the agility of a sport sedan with the commanding view of an SUV. Jaguar offers three engines in four ways in the 2022 F-Pace. No matter the engine, the F-Pace comes standard with all-wheel drive with a rear-wheel bias. The SVR model rides on unforgiving 21-inch wheels, and can be equipped with an electronic limited-slip rear differential for increased grip, as well as adaptive dampers that tighten handling while seeking thrills and soften the ride when you want to chill.
The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar estimates that it goes from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The 8-speed automatic transmission paired to each engine responds well to the driver’s intent with quick, well-timed shifts, but around town it can skip to the lower gears.
A 3.0-liter inline-6 with both turbocharging and supercharging uses a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to supplement power off the line and smooth out start/stop motions. It’s well integrated and barely noticeable, except when checking fuel economy compared with the old supercharged V-6. It’s tuned two ways, depending on the model. As the F-Pace S P340 it makes 335 hp and 354 lb-ft, and shaves 0.3 second off the P250’s 0-60 mph time; as the R-Dynamic S model, it’s tuned to 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and it hits 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. For performance that’s still a relative value, we prefer this model.
The SVR packages Jaguar’s best SUV performance components with a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 that makes 542 hp and 516 lb-ft; top speed extends to 178 mph (other models top out at 155 mph), and it hits 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.
Direct steering, limited body roll, and controlled lateral motions bless every F-Pace. A ground clearance of 8.4 inches and an off-road mode with a kind of low speed cruise control give it some off-road capability, but mind the tires and avoid the available 21-inch wheels. It can tow up to 5,291 lb.
The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace pars the course for fuel economy. Factoring in standard all-wheel drive, the 2022 F-Pace achieves average fuel economy compared to other luxury compact crossovers. The 2.0-liter turbo-4 represents the most popular F-Pace, and the EPA rates it at 22 mpg city, 27 highway, 24 combined. The mild-hybrid inline-6 gets 20/27/22 mpg, and the supercharged SVR guzzles premium fuel at a rate of 15/22/18 mpg.
The F-Pace has not been crash tested by independent agencies. Good standard driver-assist features make up for a lack of crash testing by both the NHTSA and the IIHS. Standard safety fare is better than most other luxury automakers, and includes automatic emergency braking, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control costs extra
Equal credit goes to last year’s post-Callum interior refresh. It harmonized years of dithering with various instruments, screens, and layouts in the F-Pace cabin. It’s now met with appreciation instead of befuddlement. Slim vents above it give way to a low open dash for good outward visibility. Aluminum or wood trims extend from the center stack to the door panels, which can be covered with varying colors and textures of leather. The warm, inviting interior with high quality fit and finish matches the luxury calling of the F-Pace.
The cockpit features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen that’s much simpler to operate and more intuitive to use than Jaguar’s old system. Good voice commands and one-touch functions render the touchscreen as more of a plaything. The center stack and console remain the hub of activity. Traditional dials with digital readouts blend the best of the old and the new for climate controls. A retractable door keeps console contents hidden or opens up for cupholders.
Behind the supportive front seats, two adults can fit in comfort with more than 37 inches of leg room and more head room than the German brands’ crossover coupes. A fifth seat reminds the two second-row passengers of the driver’s generosity and consideration in not shoehorning in a third passenger back there. With the rear seats up, cargo space measures out to an above average 31.5 cubic feet; fold flat the 40/20/40-split rear seats for more than 69 cubic feet of space with a subfloor for small items. A hands-free power tailgate simplifies loading and unloading cargo.
Well-equipped base models leave what’s under the F-Pace hood as the hardest decision. The 2022 F-Pace comes with excellent standard features such as 12-way heated front seats covered with synthetic leather, an 11.4-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility, wireless smartphone charging, Meridian sound, and wood trim. The options list isn’t as extensive as German counterparts, so it doesn’t get a point for that, but the warranty leads the class with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty that includes scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance.
The 2022 F-Pace P250 starts at $52,050 and comes well equipped. It should be noted that any color other than white costs at least $650 more. But the recommendation really depends on your desired level of performance. The 395-hp R-Dynamic with the turbo- and supercharged 3.0-liter inline-6 costs under $67,000 and represents big performance gains without breaking the bank for the SVR model. It includes leather sport seats and navigation. The F-Pace SVR and its 542-hp V-8, sport suspension, and 21-inch wheels costs just under $88,000. It includes cooled 14-way seats, a suede headliner, and other luxe touches, but it’s a big price jump.
Since it was introduced in 2017, the F-Pace impresses. With the last years refresh in 2021, Jaguar continues to improve the F-Pace in every way. Stylish looks that don’t compromise cargo space, powerful yet efficient powertrains, and updated technology all combine to make this the best F-Pace yet. The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace deserves a drive because that’s what it’s great at while still being practical.
