The following review is for a 2021 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Introduction

As either a coupe or convertible, the two-seat 2021 Jaguar F-Type is hugely sensual and highly satisfying. 

For 2021, the F-Type R gets smaller and slimmer headlamps and taillamps that make it look lower and wider, while the cabin on all models gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. 

There's one transmission for 2021, an 8-speed automatic that's perfectly programmed to find the right gear in any situation. Last year's 6-speed manual transmission has been dropped. 

All F-Types ride on double wishbones front and rear with a tenacious grip on the road. Engineers say they've tweaked and stiffened the suspension for better response. The tires have been widened by 10 millimeters, a bit less than half an inch. 

The base engine is a 296-horsepower turbo-4 mated to an 8-speed automatic, with rear-wheel drive only. The 380-hp supercharged V-6 drives all four wheels via the same 8-speed automatic. The supercharged V-8 makes 575 hp in the F-Type R, and drives all four wheels via the 8-speed automatic. 

All F-Types ride on double wishbone suspensions front and rear. The F-Type R gets adaptive dampers and an electronic limited-slip differential, and draws even tighter lines around the corners. 

The turbo-4 with rear-wheel drive is EPA-rated at 23 mpg city, 30 highway, 26 combined. The supercharged V-6 gets 18/26/22 mpg, while the supercharged V-8 gets 16/24/18 mpg. All three engines require premium fuel. 

The F-Type hasn't been crash tested, and because of its price probably won't be. Automatic emergency braking and active lane control are standard. Blind-spot monitors are optional, but we highly recommend them as rear visibility is limited by the sexy sloped roofline. 

Lineup

The base F-Type Coupe with its turbo-4 engine starts at $62,625. Standard equipment includes leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, a power-adjustable steering column, a 10.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 18-inch wheels, and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that has no equal among luxury competitors. 

The 380-hp V-6 Coupe starts at $82,825, and is similarly equipped. 

The V-8-powered F-Type R jumps to six figures, with the Convertible running to $107,000. It adds better leather upholstery with ambient interior lighting, LED headlights, and an intoxicating Meridian sound system. Mechanically, there is an electronic limited-slip differential at the rear, adaptive dampers, 20-inch wheels with staggered-width tires, and an active exhaust system that's downright glorious. For its base price it comes in white or red, but if you want some distinctive color it's $4,550: deep orange, bright yellow, or radiant royal blue. Fully loaded, an F-Type R might push $120,000. 

Walkaround

With its long hood and graceful lines, the looks of the Jaguar F-Type are mesmerizing. The new slimmer LED headlights on the F-Type R draw the eye in a horizontal direction, making the nose, with its very slightly wider grille, appear lower to the ground. 

At the rear, there are also slimmer LED taillights that have the same effect, of making the tail look wider. Convertible models have small pinches above the rear wheels that frame the back end. 

The exhaust outlets are a giveaway to what's under the hood. The turbo-4 gets a cool single exhaust in the middle; the V-6 outlet is also in the middle but it's a twin-exhaust; and the deep-throated supercharged V-8 gets twin-tipped dual exhausts in the corners. 

Interior

Inside, the F-Type is driver-centric with a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that helps keep pace with high-tech rivals. Even with the new screen and big 10.0-inch touchscreen, the F-Type still feels relatively analog inside, so its character is not abandoned. 

The F-Type seats two, with power leather seats that are comfortable for enjoyable long hours behind the wheel. The backrest becomes more upright as the seat bottom slides back. With 42 inches of leg room, tall drivers will have no issues, but getting in and out of the low space might be awkward. 

As for cargo space, Jaguar says there are 14.4 cubic feet under the rear glass in the Coupe, but it's hard to find that much with that sloped roofline. In the Convertible, Jaguar says 8.0 cubic feet, good for a couple of small duffel bags or one airline carry-on. 

Driving Impression

The bright turbo-4 engine has a totally different character compared to the supercharged V-6 and V-8. The 2.0-liter turbo-4, used by other cars and crossovers in the Jaguar lineup, makes 296 hp, and drives the rear wheels while being mated to the 8-speed automatic. It can accelerate the F-Type from a standstill to 60 mph in less than six seconds, which is brisk. 

The turbo-4 engine is most powerful and responsive between 5,000 rpm and 6,000 rpm, so it requires a lot of attention when you're driving it hard and want to stay there. Even though it's smaller than the other two engines, the exhaust note spits and cackles like them. 

The smaller engine and lack of all-wheel drive slims the base F-Type Coupe by about 440 pounds, which might as well be a ton when it comes to handling. It also has a quicker steering ratio than the other models, making it the most nimble and fun to drive. 

The supercharged V-6 makes 380 hp, mated to the same 8-speed automatic, with all-wheel drive. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds, and it's especially lively in Dynamic mode, where it springs from the line with a whisper on the throttle. 

The F-Type R is equipped with a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 that makes 575 hp, an increase of 25 hp over the same engine in last year's SVR. However it's not as loud as the SVR was. 

The F-Type R can speed to 60 mph in an awesome 3.5 seconds, making a predator out of the nimble coupe. Even being less loud than before, it still sends a roar out of its four pipes that can be heard for blocks. 

The F-Type R is all-wheel drive, and needs it for traction. The tires for 2021 are wider, to better enable the power to grip the road. We got our seat time on rainy roads in Portugal, and appreciated the grip. The F-Type R is truly track-ready. 

Summary

The 2021 Jaguar F-Type offers three choices to match to your needs: quick, quicker and mind-blowing. The 8-speed automatic is flawless, as are the looks. The cabin is soothing. The convertible is super stylish. The base Coupe is nimble. It runs in a crowd of tough rivals, but it offers one special thing the others don't: it's a Jaguar. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.