2020 F-PACE New Car Test Drive

Introduction

The mid-size 2020 Jaguar F-Pace delivers all the space, pace, and grace a luxury crossover SUV needs, and does so in a wholly modern package. 

The 2020 version of the F-Pace is mostly unchanged from last year's model. Two well-equipped special editions, the Checkered Flag and 300 Sport, are now available; the former can only be had with the 247-hp turbo-4, while the 300 Sport uses the 296-hp version of that engine. The only other noteworthy change for 2020 is the elimination of the optional turbodiesel. 

The F-Type is a shopper's smorgasbord: with the addition of the two new special editions, there now are nine distinct trim levels from which to pick from. Buyers also have the choice of 4-, 6-, or 8-cylinder engines, though the brunt of the trims are only available with the turbo-4 (which is offered in two states of tune). Pricing ranges from about $46,000 for a base model to more than $80,000 for a V-8-powered SVR. 

With the way the trims and pricing works out, most F-Paces will be powered by either the 247- or 296-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4. A '25t'? badge denotes the lesser-powered engine, '30t'? the high-output version. 

The 380-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 is only available with the S trim. V-8 power is exclusive to the SVR, which bristles with 550 hp. Common to every powertrain is all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic. 

The F-Pace has not been crash-tested by either the IIHS or NHTSA. 

Standard active safety features include automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and parking sensors. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and traffic sign recognition. 

Lineup

All prices include a $1,025 destination charge. 

The cheapest F-Pace is the 25t ($46,225). Standard features include leatherette upholstery, 8-way power seats with manual recline, a power liftgate, a 10-inch touchscreen, 18-inch wheels, and a Meridian audio system with 380 watts. 

The Premium ($48,825) is available in both 25t and 30t flavors. Standard features include 19-inch wheels, auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, power lumbar adjustment, and a garage-door opener. 

The Prestige ($52,225) is available with both turbo-4 engines. Standard features include genuine leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, navigation, wifi hotspot, traffic sign recognition, and keyless entry. 

The R-Sport ($57,525) is also available in either 25t or 30t form. Standard features include 20-inch wheels, 18-way power seats, adaptive LED headlights, siriusXM radio, and an exclusive R-Sport body kit. 

The Checkered Flag ($59,425) is limited to the 25t and is the best-equipped trim available with this engine. It comes with paddle shifters, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and special Checkered Flag badging. 

The 300 Sport ($63,025) is equipped much the same as the Checkered Flag edition but is powered by the 30t engine and wears dark gray trim and exclusive badging. 

The Portfolio ($64,625) is the priciest turbo-4 model. Besides the 30t engine, it gets Windsor leather upholstery, an interactive driver display, head-up display, cooled glovebox, a power gesture-controlled tailgate, and four-zone climate control. 

The S ($63,125) is the only V-6-powered F-Pace trim. It comes with additional performance hardware like paddle shifters, adaptive dynamics, and adaptive surface response. Comfort and convenience features are similar to that of the R-Sport. 

The V-8-powered SVR ($81,625) is the priciest and fastest F-Pace. Notable features include a torque-vectoring active differential, 21-inch wheels, quilted Windsor leather, heated and cooled front seats, active exhaust with quad tailpipes, and an exclusive SVR body kit.