Jaguar F-Pace 2.0-litre i4 R-Sport AWD:

What is it?

Jaguar goes chasing Audi Q5, Porsche Macan and BMW X4 with its first SUV, the F-Pace.

We get behind the wheel of the business-friendly 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel version with four-wheel drive.

is it worth swerving the German-opposition for? We find out…

 What’s hot

•  The 2.0-litre Ingenium engine boasts 177bhp, a top speed of 129mph and 0-60 acceleration in 8.2 seconds.
• However, even with the all-wheel drive system, it’s still capable of 53.3mpg on the Combined Cycle, has CO2 emissions of 139g/km and a BIK of 27%.
• Low benefit in kind – £181 a month plus £100 for fuel for a 20% taxpayer – and predicted best-in-class residuals (49.84%), should result in competitive monthly figures when compared to the opposition.
• Jaguar Land Rover have been working on the installation of this i4 engine and the F-Pace was the smoothest and most refined yet after the Jaguar XE and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. It was well-matched to the eight-speed automatic transmission too.
• So is Jag’s first SUV a driving hit? Well, it gets off to a good start with the steering, which is responsive and well-weighted. Then there’s the handling, which despite the tall dimensions and being very capable off-road in AWD form, still feels sporty with body roll well-controlled and plenty of grip.
• On top of all the handling plus points, whether on or off-road, the ride of this F-Pace fitted with optional adaptive dampers proved to be impressively comfortable on the optional 20-inch alloys (19-inchers are standard on the R-Sport Trim).
• Ian Callum’s exterior design of the F-Pace is familiar, but different. Highlights include the slim headlights, the bolder, even bigger family grille and the power bulge that first debuted on the earliest XJ6. Move to the side and despite the taller SUV stance, we were impressed by the long, low sporty roofline, which according to Callum, “gives a sense of length and movement.” Other interesting details along the F-Pace’s flanks include a feature line which runs along the front wing to the door, then reappears on the rear doors, plus there’s the choice of up to 22-inch alloy wheels to fill those big arches.
• Think the F-Pace looks similar to the F-Type Roadster and Coupe sportscar from the back? Well that’s deliberate and most obvious in the lookalike rear lights and the rear haunches.

• Move inside the F-Pace and if you’ve sat in the latest XE or XF saloons, you’re going to feel right at home as the dashboard design is similar. The driving position is comfortable and multi-adjustable, rear legroom is class-leading, but the optional sunroof fitted to our test car did eat into rear headroom.
• All that rear space doesn’t come at the expense of the boot, which is a practical 650 litres.
• Quality feels a step up from other recent new Jaguars. The leather and other interior trim feel premium. We’re also fans of Jaguar’s InControl Touch infotainment system and its eight-inch tablet touch screen, which has plenty of useful features in addition to navigation and is quick to respond. Plus, the TFT dials, which can change according to mode, are easy to read.