Skip to main content

First drive: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace

Practical yet primal, Jaguar's first SUV is a big kitty that never bores

When I tell people I’m off to review a new Jaguar, they usually assume I’ll be piloting a high-end luxury car through a sleek metropolitan landscape or something similar. Usually, they’re right. This time around though, I found myself crawling up a rocky hill, spewing up dust and filth with every turn of the wheel. That’s because I wasn’t reviewing a typical Jag, I was reviewing the 2017 F-Pace.

The brand’s first-ever SUV, the F-Pace is a family-friendly crossover with an injection of F-Type DNA to keep things interesting. It’s certainly no hardened off-roader, but the vehicle’s dynamic driving feel, well-appointed cabin, and impressive functionality make it more capable than any Jaguar owner will ever need.

Recommended Videos

In other words, the F-Pace is a jungle cat, domesticated.

Better late than never

It took awhile for Jaguar to dip its paws into the SUV game, but with the arrival of the F-Pace, the automaker is diving headfirst into the red-hot crossover segment. In fact, the F-Pace became Jaguar’s best-selling vehicle on pre-orders alone, which makes you wonder why the brand didn’t do it earlier.

One reason for the vehicle’s instant success is its surprising practicality. With the seats folded down, the SUV boasts a generous 63.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, and even tall passengers will enjoy 37.2 inches of legroom as well as ample headroom in the back. All-wheel drive is also standard on every powertrain, and the ride quality is delightfully smooth with every available wheel size.

The interior also looks great, with real textured wood, supportive 14-way ventilated seats up front, and plenty of striking color combinations available on R-Sport ($53,900) and S ($56,700) models. Even the leatherette chairs featured on the base model ($40,990) are supportive and soft. That’s all well and good, but here’s the important part — does it drive like a Jag?

Inspired by F-Type

The inherent problem with a Jaguar SUV is that it must feel sporty and linear while also being practical, and those two goals don’t always mesh. For a big kitty, though, the F-Pace is a real treat. I sampled all three powertrains during my short time with the car — a 2.0-liter diesel with 180 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 340 hp and 332 lb-ft, and on S models, a beefier 3.0-liter V6 with 380 hp and 332 lb-ft. Each was satisfying in its own way.

The F-Pace is a cozy family-hauler that still drives like a Jaguar

The F-Pace S was obviously the quickest with a 0 to 60 time of 5.1 seconds, but the primal, crackling engine note from its supercharged engine is perhaps its biggest selling point, as far as I’m concerned. The mid-range V6 still provides plenty of power in a slightly tamer package, and while the diesel is significantly slower than both, it still has plenty of pop down low and will save you plenty at the pump. That being said, EPA fuel economy ratings are still TBD.

The influence of the F-Type is apparent all over the F-Pace, but its performance DNA shines brightest in the corners. For example, the vehicle’s Torque Vectoring system is lifted straight from the aforementioned sports car, and it uses metered brake inputs on the inside wheels to fight understeer. Add in 50/50 weight distribution, rear-biased AWD, and an Adaptive Dynamics system that constantly monitors body roll and you have a cozy family-hauler that actually drives like a Jaguar. If there’s one gripe worth mentioning, it’s that the brakes feel a little softer than I’d like.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace
Andrew Hard/Digital Trends
Andrew Hard/Digital Trends

One thing that most definitely did not come from the F-Type is the F-Pace’s off-road capability. Yes, the F-Pace is built on the same modular architecture as the XE sedan and won’t win the Baja 1000 anytime soon, but its AWD system and All Surface Progress Control (ASPC) systems are actually quite impressive. Put simply, ASPC works like a low-speed cruise control over rough terrain, taking over throttle and braking while the driver steers. It also recognizes when you’ve reached the crest of a hill and switches from ascent mode to decent mode automatically.

At the top of our rocky, dirt-caked off-road course, I realized I had just done something most Jaguar drivers will never do. Still, it’s nice to know the F-Pace can get a little dirty if the situation so calls.

Infotainment that works?

Jaguar Land Rover is one savviest automakers out there when in comes to autonomous and connected car technologies, but its recent infotainment systems have been slow and often flat-out bad. Thankfully, the F-Pace equips offers the upgraded InControl Touch Pro, and you’ll be glad to hear it’s much, much better than its predecessor.

An Intel quad-core processor takes infotainment speed to the next level

Highlighted by a 10.2-inch touchscreen, InControl Touch Pros’ Intel quad-core processor takes infotainment speed to the next level while offering new features like an automatic parking locator, a Commute Mode to optimize your daily route, and an 825-watt Meridian audio system that sounds fantastic. That said, some of the features are difficult to access, such as the seat heaters, which oddly require pressing a button and navigating a submenu to locate.

Theirs is a new companion app for Android and iOS devices that allows you to display select apps on the vehicle’s touchscreen, and it offers door-to-door navigation that automatically switches to your phone as you leave the car. Jaguar’s in-house system takes the place of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for now, but the automaker plans to integrate both interfaces later on.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace
Image used with permission by copyright holder

All things considered, InControl Touch Pro is a huge improvement. It’s only available on Prestige ($48,700) trims and above with the $3,200 Technology package, however, and that means more frugal buyers will be stuck with standard InControl Touch and the clunky 8.0-inch touchscreen. The Tech package does include a fancy digital instrument cluster as well, and it displays full-screen navigation, media settings, and more. It’s similar in design to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, but if I’m honest, the German equivalent is much sexier and more vibrant.

Conclusion

Ahead of the vehicle’s First Drive event, I assumed the F-Pace would be engaging behind the wheel like most Jaguar products are. Interior ergonomics and domestic utility were big question marks though, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn these were some of the vehicle’s strongest attributes. And if that weren’t enough, the F-Pace manages to retain as much of Jaguar’s signature driving feel as a 4,000-pound SUV can, which makes it an effective compromise even sports car fans can live with.

Yes, Jaguar may be a bit late to the SUV party, but when you build a car this good, you can take all the time you need.

Highs

  • Simple, sexy styling
  • Good acceleration and handling
  • Responsive touchscreen
  • Excellent rear cargo room and interior comfort
  • Competitive pricing

Lows

  • A few infotainment gripes
  • Brakes could be stronger
  • No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (yet)
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit
amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Read more
Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon
The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Read more
Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring
911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.

Read more