2017 Jaguar F-Pace 35t

The pace at which Jaguar is releasing new or updated products is impressive, as evidenced by the debut of the 2018 F-Pace crossover mere months after we conducted our first tests of the 2017 models. Having already evaluated the sporty F-Pace S—and pitted one against the Porsche Macan—as well as a First Edition iteration, we’ve finally gotten our hands on the mainstream F-Pace 35t for evaluation.

The 35t, with a 340-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, sits in between the base 20d with a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-four, and the aforementioned S with a 380-hp version of the blown six. (For 2018, the F-Pace also offers a new base 25t model with a gas-fed turbocharged 2.0-liter four.) Within this expanding thicket of engines, the 35t’s V-6 is the volume seller, a situation Jaguar predicts will continue even after the arrival of the new turbo four. Like every F-Pace, the 340-hp V-6 sends its power through a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels via a standard all-wheel-drive transfer case.

Whereas the F-Pace S is more or less a standalone trim level, the 35t can be had in base, Premium, Prestige, and R-Sport guises. The 35t tested here is an R-Sport, which comes standard with a subtle body kit, 20-inch wheels, 18-way power front seats, adaptive LED headlights, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a 380-watt Meridian audio system, a power-adjustable steering column, a proximity key with push-button ignition, navigation, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The $57,295 R-Sport is well equipped out of the box, as it should be, given that it costs $5200 more than a Prestige and just $1400 less than an S. (The 35t’s prices shift somewhat for 2018 due to the 25t’s introduction.)

Fast-Paced Mainstream Pace

Even with “only” 340 horsepower, the 35t tied the 2017 F-Pace S First Edition to 60 mph with a time of 5.3 seconds, and actually beat its quarter-mile time by 0.1 second, registering a quick 13.8 seconds at 102 mph. Those numbers are just a shade behind the slightly lighter and quicker ’17 F-Pace S we tested more recently, which put up figures of 5.1 seconds and 13.6 seconds at 103 mph. Those are quick results, even if they fall short of the sub-5.0-second 60-mph times posted by the Macan GTS and Mercedes-AMG GLC43.

Although the First Edition F-Pace on its 22-inch Pirelli P Zero summer tires remains the grippiest version we’ve tested to date, at 0.88 g, this 35t riding on 20-inch Goodyear all-seasons still managed 0.87 g. The only category in which the 35t disappointed was braking; we recorded a so-so 171-foot stop from 70 mph, compared to a 164-foot stop in the S on the same Goodyear tires and a 160-foot anchor drop in the sticky-tire First Edition. As on other F-Pace’s we’ve driven, the brake pedal moves through a squishy dead zone before meeting the driver’s foot with resistance.

Our test car came with the $1000 Adaptive Dynamics package, which brings adjustable dampers that supposedly firm up in the sporty Dynamic drive mode and calm down in the Normal and Eco settings. We had trouble discerning much of a difference in ride quality between the modes and wished for more compliance in Normal mode. The tradeoff, of course, is remarkably composed body control for a crossover and very little lean in corners. Jaguar tunes the variable-ratio steering for ultra-quick response immediately off-center, and the F-Pace’s nose darts into corners like a dog chasing a squirrel.

An Everyday Pussycat

You wouldn’t guess it from the F-Pace’s performance or its eye-pleasing body, but this Jag is one of the most practical offerings in its segment. Somehow, Jaguar managed to deliver class-leading cargo space and useable rear seats in a vehicle only slightly larger than the extremely tight Porsche Macan. There is some clever styling work at play here: Look beyond the pretty makeup, and the Jaguar carries a lot of bodywork behind its rear wheels and has an upright and squared-off greenhouse. This equates to a whopping 34 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the back seats. The 113.2-inch wheelbase qualifies as long among compact crossovers, and helps open up legroom for rear passengers.

There is a straightforwardness to the Jaguar’s interior lacking in, say, the button-addled Porsche or the glitzy Mercedes-Benz GLC-class. This is the due in part to Jaguar’s minimalist, Audi-like cabin aesthetic. The majority of functions are integrated into the touchscreen, while the slick rotary shift knob and large climate control buttons lend the environment a friendly approachability. The $3200 Technology package, present on our test car, ups the InControl Touch display’s size from 8.0 to 10.2 inches, replaces the gauge cluster with a sharp 12.3-inch screen, and amps up the Meridian sound system to an 825-watt rager. We continue to have mixed feelings about InControl Touch Pro. On one hand, its menus are neatly organized and easy to navigate. On the other, it has a tendency to crash or respond unpredictably to inputs. Our only other complaints are that the seats are too firm for some (if entirely supportive), the interior materials don’t feel very luxurious, and a significant amount of tire noise penetrates the cabin at highway speeds.

Holding price parity with the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLC-class, and lower-tier versions of the Porsche Macan, the Jaguar F-Pace stands out for its blend of style and versatility. It also catches attention wherever it goes courtesy of its haute look and the brand’s rarity. This mix of traits has nearly singlehandedly upped the pace of Jaguar sales, and the automaker shows no signs of slowing—later this year it plans to debut a high-performance, 550-hp F-Pace SVR and a smaller E-Pace crossover.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED: $62,345 (base price: $44,385)

ENGINE TYPE: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 183 cu in, 2995 cc
Power: 340 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 332 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 113.2 in
Length: 186.3 in
Width: 76.2 in Height: 65.0 in
Passenger volume: 96 cu ft
Cargo volume: 34 cu ft
Curb weight: 4408 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 26.2 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.8 sec @ 102 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr's claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA combined/city/highway: 20/18/23 mpg