Jaguar F-Pace 2021: refreshed medium SUV targets BMW X3, Benz GLC-Class, Audi Q5

---

With SUV sales not showing any signs of slowing, Jaguar is betting on the 2021 F-Pace taking a solid footing in the Australian market.

It was already a handsome vehicle, but Jaguar has revised the design while adding more specification for less money in this midlife update.

The bonnet has been massaged to tie in with the more aggressive front bumper that boasts greater aerodynamic efficiency. It’s a similar story around the rear with minor revisions, black exterior trim, and new alloy wheels to set each model off.

The range is much simpler than before and consists only of sporty R-Dynamic variants, a proven success story in Australia. This will also see the Jaguar buying process simplified at every level.

Like the F-Pace, Jaguar’s biggest competitors – the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3 all have ranges tilted towards the sporty side, with standard fitment of bigger wheels and more aggressive body kits than found in overseas markets.

Jaguar will hope to gain a stronger foothold in Australia following the introduction of a five year, unlimited-kilometre warranty from the first of April 2021.

Jaguar’s new entry-level F-Pace receives the R-Dynamic S treatment and P250 petrol engine for a list price of $76,244 before on-road costs. That represents a drop of $4,281 compared to the outgoing F-Pace in the same trim.

It also packs more kit with an 11.4-inch touchscreen running a revised Pivi pro infotainment system, navigation and wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Leather-appointed seats are standard, with Jaguar offering a choice of black, tan or red leather at no extra cost.

Grunt comes from a two-litre turbocharged petrol engine which produces 184kW of power and 365Nm of torque. Outputs are sent to all-four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Jaguar will also offer the P250 engine in R-Dynamic SE trim from $80,854 (before on-roads). That gets a little extra kit with memory function for the driver’s seat, metal kickplates, electric steering column adjustment and digital driver’s display thrown in.

For 2021 Jaguar has dropped the entry-level two-litre turbodiesel from the F-Pace range, with only one diesel engine available. 

The R-Dynamic SE trim is the most affordable way to get a six-cylinder engine with the new D300 inline-six that produces 221kW of power and 650Nm of torque starting at $96,195 before on-roads. The P400 petrol is also available in this spec.

The six-cylinder powered cars get the dynamic handling pack with adaptive dampers as standard to deal with the extra grunt. This is a $2,910 option for the P250 grades.

The cream of the regular F-Pace crop is the R-Dynamic HSE which is available exclusively with the all-new turbocharged P400 petrol inline-six first seen in the Land Rover Defender, which makes 294kW of power and 550Nm of torque in F-Pace guise. 

That engine replaces the outmoded supercharged V6 and promises much greater efficiency. It’s coupled to a mild-hybrid system to keep fuel consumption down but has the extra benefit of keeping the turbo spooled for sharper throttle response.

Over the R-Dynamic SE, the HSE benefits from a Meridian sound system, heated and cooled front seats with 14-way adjustability and dual-position memory, charcoal wood interior trim and a set of 21-inch alloy wheels. 

The crown jewel, however, is the F-Pace SVR. Despite Jaguar’s commitment to electrification, it seems the V8 still has a few more years left.

For $142,294 before on-roads, the SVR adds lower, tauter suspension and bespoke SVR sports seats to the R-Dynamic HSE spec, not to mention a revised turbocharged V8 with a whopping 405kW of power and 700Nm of torque – this will be a rapid SUV.

Naturally, Jaguar offers a host of option packs, including a convenience pack that brings a power tailgate, two extra USB charging ports and an ‘activity key’ for $880. There is also a technology pack that adds wireless charging and a head-up display for $2,480.

The new Jaguar F-Pace is on-sale now in Australia and starts from $76,244 before on-road costs and options.

Jaguar F-Pace 2021: pricing in Australia 

Prices listed are before on-road costs and options.

• P250 R-Dynamic S – $76,244 (down $4,281)
• P250 R-Dynamic SE – $80,854 (down $3,248)
• D300 R-Dynamic SE – $96,195 (new model)
• P400 R-Dynamic SE – $98,654 (new model)
• P400 R-Dynamic HSE – $110,404 (new model)
• P550 SVR – $142,294 (up $1,764)