2021 Jaguar F-Pace R-Dynamic SE D300 review

The Jaguar F-Pace has always been an impressive package with some minor flaws.

Now facelifted, Jaguar has addressed virtually all of these criticisms, with the interior in particular getting a lot of attention. In fact, I’m not sure you could classify this as just a facelift, there has been some major work done.

Not only that, but the range has been reduced from 18 different options to 6. It starts at $74,990 for the entry level R-Dynamic S P250 and goes as high as $109,150 for the R-Dynamic HSE P400 (forgetting the SVR).

Our review vehicle is an SE D300 which sits in the middle of the entire range, but is top of the pile for F-Pace diesels. It starts life at $94,940.

However, these prices are without options, which add up quite quickly. Take a quick scan of the options list fitted to our test vehicle and let us know what you think in the comments section.

Option	Price
Pixel LED + Signature + Adaptive driving beam headlamps	$4,784
Sliding panoramic roof	$4,420
18-way driver and passenger memory heated and ventilated massage seats	$3,094
Technology Pack Solar attenuating windscreen Wireless device charging Head-up display	$2,480
Meridian sound system - 400W with 13 speakers including subwoofer and active road noise cancellation	$1,560
Privacy glass	$950
Red brake callipers	$806
Veneer-engineered wood	$416
Light Oyster Morzine headllining

With all the optional extras, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace press car came to a grand total of $114,704.

What’s it like inside?

Inside, the 2021 F-Pace is a step up from the model before it, with a larger infotainment screen which has some software updates. Not that the old system was hard to use by any means, but the latest version is a welcome bonus. Things are just that bit clearer to see and easier to find – and it is that “bit” that makes all the difference.

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and while there’s no wireless smartphone mirroring, it does take up the entire display. In vehicles like the Volvo XC90, the native system takes up part of the screen and your Android Auto the other. On the F-Pace, with the large 11.4-inch touchscreen, it's great to use.

A $1,560 optional Meridian sound system was fitted to our 2021 Jaguar F-Pace review vehicle – a 400W, 13-speaker (including subwoofer) set-up. As part of this package, Jaguar includes active road noise cancellation, so as you probably expect, the sound was as clear as can be.

There are a range of other changes inside, from the new, sporty gear selector to the futuristic drive mode rotary dial. To use this, you press the drive mode button next to the gear selector, which raises the dial from the console – boring to describe, but fun to use.

Helping to keep things relaxed (and the road rage at bay) is a massage function for the front seats. Plus, as this particular 2021 Jaguar F-Pace has an optional seating package which costs $3,094, it receives 18-way adjustable seats with a memory function, plus heating and ventilation.

Though an expensive option, in the grand scheme of things it seems like a good investment. With virtually everything becoming adjustable and unlocking the ability to save settings, it should alleviate some frustrations when switching between vehicles at home.

Then there is the massage function across both front seats, which was a crowd favourite during our time with the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace. In massage terms, it’s not a physio, so don’t expect it to get right into your problem areas with elbow-like pressure and precision. It’s more just relaxing soft “patterns” in the background.

You get all the standard adjustments (and lumbar), as well as electronic seat extension to help those with longer legs feel more supported. There is also adjustable bolstering so you can make the seats hug you like you’ve never been hugged before.

Being R-Dynamic SE trim, our 2021 F-Pace has a digital instrument cluster which can be configured to your liking.

Seat heating and ventilation functions are operated through the multifunction dials used for the dual-zone air conditioning. Simply push the dial in to change it from modifying the air conditioning to your seat.

Leg and headroom in the back is good, considering the optional $4,420 sunroof eats into the cabin’s height. Without it, there would be ample headroom.

A lack of connectivity in the rear as standard though, is a bit of a detractor for what is otherwise a nice place to be. There are no USB points present in the back for rear passengers, just a single 12v socket. For an additional $139 you can option 2 extra USB sockets in the back.

That means there is a grand total of 1 USB-A and 1 USB-C socket for the entire vehicle. This isn’t so bad if you option the wireless charging bay, but if not, there won’t be much to go around.

Wireless charging is bundled with a head-up display and a fancy solar attenuating windscreen for a grand total of $2,480 extra. On a Jaguar, this is a bit hard to swallow considering a number of less prestigious brands throw it in as standard.

How big is the Jaguar F-Pace boot?

Electronically opening the tailgate on the 2021 F-Pace will reveal a 650-litre boot. There is no lip to it, so objects can be placed and slid in, making it easy to load.

Underneath the boot floor is a space saver spare tyre.

What’s it like to drive?

Sitting inside the 2021 F-Pace R-Dynamic SE D300, you would be forgiven for thinking there was actually a petrol engine under the bonnet. There is none of that common rumble or knock that diesels stereotypically produce. It is quite refined and gentle.

It can really get a shuffle on too, with the 3-litre turbo-diesel engine hustling to 100km/h from a standing start in 6.4 seconds. Power is sent to all 4 wheels through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Official numbers for the power output are 221kW of power and 650Nm of torque.

The diesel engine in the F-Pace D300 also benefits from mild hybrid technology (MHEV), which collects energy that would otherwise be lost during braking or when slowing down. It then stores and redeploys it under acceleration, or to help features like the stop/start to operate more smoothly.

Our 2021 F-Pace review vehicle rides comfortably and does a great job of coasting over the best and worst of Sydney's roads.

Dynamics are not often the reason you would purchase an SUV, but the F-Pace still manages to get around corners adeptly. Being R-Dynamic SE trim, it comes fitted with adaptive suspension which allows you to sharpen things up by selecting Sport Mode (which is still quite forgiving), as well as torque vectoring to constantly adjust each wheel.

We had 20-inch rims fitted to our review car, thanks to the SE grade. While you can option 22-inch wheels (which look fantastic), the 20-inch rims strike a good balance between style and comfort, as that extra sidewall undoubtedly adds to the impressive ride.

For filling up, Jaguar says that the D300 will do 100km while sipping just 7.2 litres of the good stuff on a combined cycle. During our time with the vehicle, we recorded 8.1 litres per 100km. It should be noted that there were times during testing the unit’s output that the right foot was flat to the floor.

Steering is well-weighted at all speeds, and then an assortment of cameras, including a 3D surround camera, make light work of around town parking or manoeuvres.

Jaguar has done some work on the steering wheel too, which allows you to scroll through the trip computer, interact with multimedia and set your cruise control like almost every other car, but sexier. The changes are welcome, but we did find that on occasion the buttons could take 2 or 3 presses before registering an action. Perhaps I wasn’t pressing hard enough, who knows?

Adaptive cruise control and speed sign recognition help to keep your licence in your wallet, while other technologies like blind spot assist, driver condition monitor and clear exit monitors, among others, keep your F-Pace away from the panel beater.

Thought I was done with the optional extras? You thought wrong. Also fitted to our F-Pace review vehicle is the $4,784 Pixel LED package. This gave the F-Pace Jaguar’s “Double J” DRL signatures and adaptive driving beams. They scan the road ahead and sense whether there is oncoming traffic (or traffic signs) and adjust the beam accordingly.

How safe is the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace?

• Keyless entry
• 3D surround camera
• Adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter
• Emergency braking
• Blind spot assist
• Clear exit monitor
• Driver condition monitor
• Lane keep assist
• Front and rear parking aid
• Rear collision monitor
• Rear traffic monitor
• Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
• Interior front door handles with separate locking switches
• Power-operated child locks
• Seat belt reminder
• Passive front head restraints
• Rear ISOFIX
• Push button start
• Valet mode
• Voice control

2021 Jaguar F-Pace ownership

Traditionally, manufacturers will offer capped-price servicing over a certain period, but Jaguar offers “plans”. When you purchase your new Jaguar F-Pace, you are able to purchase a servicing plan, which for the variant we have here is $2,650. It covers you for 5 years and/or 130,000km, whichever comes first.

All new Jaguars come with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as complimentary roadside assistance for 5 years.

The verdict

Jaguar's refinements for the F-Pace are significant and they have had the desired effect.

The F-Pace was an impressive vehicle that had a few imperfections. However, what was imperfect has been addressed and the result is, frankly, a delight.

We’re looking forward to having a steer of the F-Pace in SVR guise to see how it handles being set up truly for performance.