2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Jaguar introduced its first SUV model, the F-Pace, back in 2016. The move seemed slightly unnecessary at the time since the Land Rover brand already had the SUV market covered, but the F-Pace quickly became Jaguar's best-selling model by a wide margin. Not long after, Jaguar unleashed its Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division on the F-Pace, creating the hardcore Jaguar F-Pace SVR model. For the 2021 model year, the F-Pace receives the most significant facelift since its introduction, with updated styling, new technology, and a massively improved interior. The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR sits atop the lineup with a 550-horsepower, 516-lb-ft supercharged V8 engine, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint time of only 3.8 seconds.

The F-Pace SVR competes with rivals like the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, which are both cheaper in standard guise but also less powerful. All three vehicles are similarly quick with 0-60 mph runs done and dusted in under four seconds. However, the Jag provides an even more special sensory experience with its stunning design and what is probably the best engine soundtrack of any SUV currently on sale. Yes, even the mighty Lamborghini Urus pales in comparison.

It's hard to believe the basic F-Pace design is nearly seven years old. This relatively old steed still looks as good as the day she was unveiled at the 2015 Detroit auto show. Over the years, Jaguar kept on adding minor updates, and for 2021, the manufacturer put in some extra effort. The front end may look similar, but the headlights are slimmer and the LED daytime running lights are different. Grey grille and wheel surrounds are a minor addition, but make the F-Pace look fresher for 2021. At the rear, it has the new thinner light design that first made its debut on the recently revised F-Type - these taillights are LED units. The rest is pretty much the same: gaping grilles, 21-inch alloys with red brake calipers, stylish vents, and four angry exhaust pipes (no fakes here). A sliding panoramic roof is also standard.

In terms of dimensions, the overall length is 187.5 inches, which is slightly longer than the 2020 model's 186.5 inches because of the recent design changes Jaguar has made. Overall height is rated at 65.7 inches, while the width with the mirrors extended is 85.6 inches. The Jag is marginally bigger than other compact SUVs like the BMW X3 but smaller than the midsize X5.

Jaguar's claimed curb weight figure is 4,535 pounds, which isn't bad for a supercharged V8 SUV. Add some fuel and a passenger or two, and it's over 5,000 lbs.

Jaguar does supply a set of off-road-related figures, though you wouldn't want to tackle anything more treacherous than the average snowy road. Ground clearance is rated at 8.4 inches, while the approach, breakover, and departure angles are rated at 20.5, 20.7, and 23.1 degrees, respectively. The maximum wading depth is 19.7 inches.

We love it when a manufacturer gives a flamboyant car a color palette to match. First, let us just state for the record that the SVR is not a vehicle for shy people. The exhaust note announces your arrival a good 30 seconds before the vehicle comes into view. And that's with the exhaust in quiet mode. So, you might as well have it in a loud color. Our personal favorite is Smurf Blue, though Jag officially calls it Ultra Blue. It's part of the no-cost metallic palette, which consists of Santorini Black, Yulong White, Firenze Red, Eiger Grey, and Habuka Silver. One solid color, Fuji White, is also available. As an SVO product, it also gets access to the Premium Palette. These colors cost $4,550 each but are well worth the investment. Velocity Blue is even Smurfier. You can also choose between Sunset Gold, Tourmaline Brown, Ionian Silver, Ethereal Frost Silver, Flux Silver, Amethyst Grey-Purple, Ligurian Black, and Desire Deep Red. That's not all - for the same price, you can have Petrolix Blue, Sanguinello Orange, or Constellation Blue Black.

If you really wish to be unique, we suggest either British Racing Green, Atacama Orange, or Sorrento Yellow. On the green and yellow, a Satin Matte finish can add a further $2,860 to your bill. The only Special Effect color is called Icy White and it retails for $9,180, but can also be had with the Satin Matte finish.

You already have a loud, brash SUV so you might as well go the whole nine yards and get a bold color. Our tester's matte British Racing Green drew many stares and suited the car's character well, but we'd also consider Ultra Blue or Sorrento Yellow.

There are a few engines we'll always fondly remember once electricity takes over, and this is one of them. Jag's supercharged 5.0-liter V8 is one of the all-time greats, and in this application, it develops 550 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the new launch control system, the V8 gets this hefty SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 178 mph. It's practical as well, as it comes with a maximum tow rating of 5,291 lbs.

Thanks to an intelligent rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, the SVR is also perfectly happy in low-grip situations. It's meant to be a monster SUV, but the low-down torque does give it a dual personality. The SVR will leave most sports cars behind, but it's arguably better just idling along at speeds where the vague growl of the supercharged V8 serves as a warning to would-be challengers. While on the topic of noise, it's worth noting that this SUV's soundtrack dominates everything. The quad exhausts emit a beautiful, thunderous, roaring noise. It scares people and would make a Hellcat blush. You don't just hear the supercharger overpowering the V8, they work together in concert to create a harmonic bellow. And if you want even more noise, Jaguar includes a loud exhaust button right on the console. The best part is that everyone will perk up from their A-to-B-mobiles looking for a sports car when they hear you coming. They'll never suspect that glorious racket is coming from an SUV.

The F-Pace SVR is motivated by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that delivers 550 hp from 6,250 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque between 3,500 and 5,000 rpm. This is the same amount of power as last year's model, but torque is up by 14 lb-ft. The power is sent to a rear-biased AWD system via an eight-speed ZF transmission. This transmission shifts smoothly under normal circumstances but can rattle off quick shifts when put into its S setting. Driving the car in its manual mode gives even more control, though we noticed the transmission has a tendency to bog down unless you time the shifts perfectly. Get it wrong, and the engine feels like it gets briefly stuck at redline.

Unlike 90 percent of AWD vehicles, the Jag's default is rear-wheel drive. And unlike many other rear-biased systems, it will stay that way until intervention is essential. When this happens, the intelligent AWD system can send 50 percent (or less depending on the situation) of the torque to the front axle in 165 milliseconds. When pushed hard, the F-Pace SVR feels miraculously lighter than its curb weight. You can kick out the rear end just enough to have fun before the AWD system reels it back in.

In its normal setting, the F-Pace SVR tends to feel a bit sleepy, with light steering, smooth shifts, an even smoother ride, and a slightly lazy response from the throttle. The F-Pace SVR is shockingly supple for a performance vehicle, until you play around with its drive modes. Place the vehicle into its Dynamic setting, and every component wakes up. The light steering gets more weighty, those smooth shifts become more aggressive, the pillowy ride transforms into a masochistic experience, the throttle feels more alert, and the exhaust goes into angry mode. Thankfully, Jaguar lets you create a customized drive mode, so we suggest going Dynamic on every setting, except the suspension. An Eco Mode is available too, and we suggest forgetting it even exists.

In the pantheon of performance SUVs that feel like sports cars, the F-Pace SVR ranks highly, but not at the top. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio and both Porsche SUVs, the Macan and Cayenne, still provide more connected feedback to the driver. With those three excluded, we can't think of any other SUVs at a similar price point that drive this well. In fairness to the Jag, what it lacks in raw enjoyment, it more than makes up for in other areas. We've already discussed the engine, which emits a better racket than any other SUV on the market, Aston Martin and Lamborghini included. Then there's the ride comfort, which greatly surpasses the Stelvio, even in this hardcore SVR guise. The F-Pace SVR outclasses most of its high-performance competition on daily livability, which is why we think it's an outstanding all-arounder.

The good news is that the revised F-Pace SVR's updates have made it slightly more efficient on the highway. According to the EPA, the 2020 model could manage gas mileage estimates of 16/21/18 mpg city/highway/combined. The updated SVR returns EPA-estimated figures of 15/22/18 mpg. Okay, so perhaps that's not exactly the best showcase for environmental friendliness, or is it? Since the world is waging a battle against fossil fuel, we want it destroyed as quickly as possible, no? The SVR is very effective at turning evil gas into glorious noise. With the ever-present temptation to floor it from every stop, we only managed 13 mpg during our week-long test drive.

Thankfully, the tank is a reasonable 21.7 gallons. That gives the SVR an estimated driving range of around 390 miles on a single tank.

The 2020 model already had a great interior but it was dragged down by infuriating technology. Jag's new interior keeps the decent build quality and luxury ambiance, but streamlines the way the driver and passengers interact with the various standard features.

Apart from the standard buckets, the interior is essentially all-new. Most of the buttons have been replaced with an 11.4-inch touchscreen interface. Thankfully, the climate control and drive mode settings are still separate, all housed near the new stubby shifter. Model-specific interior features include bright metal pedals, an SVR steering wheel with zinc-alloy shift paddles, SVR carpets, and SVR metal treadplates. Jaguar did a splendid job of keeping the aging F-Pace up to date in a highly competitive market.

The Jaguar F-Pace SVR is strictly a five-seater with no third-row option. Since none of the high-performance competitors offer additional seating, there is no trade-off with the Jag or its SVR variant. Legroom is generous in the F-Pace, just about outmeasuring the BMW X3 with 77.5 inches of combined legroom. A generous 40.3 of those inches are dedicated to making front riders happy, but the rear only accommodates a mediocre 37.2 inches. The SVR's rear seats resemble the front buckets, giving an awesome appearance at the expense of comfort. As we will see later on, the Jag's emphasis on passenger space results in below-average cargo capacity.

Windsor leather performance seats with Alcantara are standard, available in four color schemes. The most sedate option is Ebony Windsor leather combined with Ebony suede cloth and Ebony interior inserts. The three remaining colors have more character. Mars Red leather and Ebony trim looks fantastic, while the Sienna Tan and Ebony blend give the interior a luxury feel. Jag's Light Oyster leather and Ebony blend is a bit too shouty, even for a car that makes this much noise. For an additional $1,150, you can upgrade to semi-aniline leather performance seats, available only in Ebony or Light Oyster.

Embossed aluminum trim is standard with every color option, but carbon fiber can be included for $1,300. There are some other lovely quality touches like the interactive driver's display which is wrapped in Alcantara and the zinc-alloy shift paddles feel great to the touch.

The F-Pace has a 31.5 cubic-foot trunk, well below the midsize BMW X5 M and slightly below the compact BMW X3 M. Fold the rear seats forward in a 40/20/40 split, and the cargo capacity increases to 69.1 cubes, more than the X3 but less than the X5. At least the trunk opening is wide, measuring 43 inches.

Interior storage is better than last year's model. You get a nice smartphone cubby underneath the climate control buttons, another storage space with a sliding cover, and some slightly obscured storage space underneath the center armrest. Rear passengers get two cupholders hidden in the middle seat seatback.

The SVR sits at the top of the F-Pace range, which is already marketed as a luxury SUV. That means it gets all of the luxury trimmings and then some. Exterior features include premium LED lights with auto high-beam assist, headlight power washers, a power panoramic sunroof, heated side mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver's side, keyless entry, and a power tailgate.

Moving inside, the SVR comes with 14-way heated and ventilated front seats with a memory function, a heated leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, as well as a power tailgate. Noteworthy driver assist features include blind-spot monitoring, a 3D surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition with an adaptive speed limiter, and a driver condition monitor. Lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and front/rear parking sensors round out the safety suite.

Jaguar's infotainment technology was frustrating and outdated before, but now it is among our favorite systems. A new Pivi Pro system runs on a standard 11.4-inch touchscreen with snappy responses and a smartphone-like user interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available wirelessly, and the infotainment system can pair to two Bluetooth phones at the same time - no more fighting with your spouse on who gets to connect to the car. A Wi-Fi-enabled data plan is available for $500. Both SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio are included. Intelligent navigation with Real Time Traffic info will get you to your destination as conveniently as possible, while the SVR comes with a 12.3-inch interactive driver display as well.

A standard Meridian audio system packs 12 speakers and a dual-channel subwoofer, while a surround sound upgrade adds four additional speakers for only $800.

When it comes to reliability, Jaguar Land Rover's quality issues are well-documented and reflected in reviews of the F-Pace and the SVR derivatives. So much so that its boss recently stated that it would be cracking down on this problem. Still, the F-Pace has followed the same familiar path over its lifecycle so far. A few recalls (four) for the 2017 model eventually petered down to one for the 2020 F-Pace, and zero for the 2021 variant, so far. The 2020 recall was for a malfunction in the auto high-beam assist system.

Every F-Pace is covered by five-year/60,000-mile comprehensive and powertrain warranties, including roadside assistance for the same time period/distance. As a bonus, Jaguar also includes a maintenance plan that matches the above.

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has had an opportunity to review the Jaguar F-Pace or the SVR variant. It received a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP, though it has to be said that European crash tests are not as stringent as US-based tests. Still, it gives us some insight into how safe the F-Pace is.

The F-Pace comes standard with front, front side, and full-length side window curtain airbags. It also has the obligatory ABS, traction and stability control, regular cruise control with a speed limiter, and rearview camera.

Thankfully, Jaguar doesn't charge you anything extra for the more advanced features either. The F-Pace SVR boasts emergency braking, blind-spot assist, a 3D surround-view camera, driver condition monitoring, lane keep assist, front and rear parking assist, rear cross-traffic assist, traffic sign recognition with an adaptive speed limiter, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic parking can be included for $300 and a head-up display costs $1,010.

The F-Pace SVR is quite a unique proposition in the performance SUV segment. We know there isn't a shortage of options, but few hit the balance as nicely as the SVR. Some competitors ride too harshly, while others feel a bit clinical. The SVR will give you all the thrills while being a comfortable, compliant companion. As a typical SUV, it also hits all of the correct targets. It's spacious, has a decently large trunk, and a plush interior. The list of standard features is highly impressive, not to mention the standard maintenance plan. Our main gripe with the old model was the infuriatingly laggy infotainment system. You'd press the button to skip to the next song, and by the time the car responded, the artist released two new albums. The new system isn't perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction.

If we were in the market for a high-performance midsize SUV, the F-Pace SVR would be near the top of our list. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV is slightly more fun at the limit, but is smaller and makes too many compromises to be our pick. The Porsche Cayenne drives better than the Jag but in Turbo guise, it's far more expensive. Then again, the SVR is closer in size to compact SUVs like the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, and those are more affordable. Still, the SVR's many attributes, including the best exhaust note present on any SUV today, make the Jag feel like a winner.

The Jaguar F-Pace SVR has a base price of $84,600 MSRP. This excludes the destination and delivery charge of $1,150 in the USA. Delve into the options, and it's not particularly difficult to hit $90,000.

There's only one SVR model, powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8. It produces 550 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to an AWD system via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This year Jaguar included a launch control system to get it off the line more efficiently.

To differentiate it from the base model and other configurations in the F-Pace lineup, the SVR comes with a unique front bumper that adds downforce. There are also several badges and the SVR body kit to remind you that it's not some basic F-Pace. The interior is fully kitted with a new 11.4-inch touchscreen interface running Jaguar Land Rover's new Pivi Pro system. The list of standard luxuries is comprehensive. Highlights include 14-way heated and ventilated front seats with a memory function, a digital instrument cluster, various driving modes, and a high-end Meridian sound system. Safety features include emergency braking, blind-spot assist, a surround-view camera, driver condition monitoring, lane keep assist, front and rear parking assist, rear cross-traffic assist, traffic sign recognition, an adaptive speed limiter, and adaptive cruise control.

There isn't too much to add to the SVR, and how much you want to spend really depends on exterior colors, wheels, and standalone extras. What is available on the options menu includes a $2,110 Hot Climate Pack, which adds four-zone climate control, an air quality sensor, a lockable cooled glove box, and a cabin ionizer. Jag's Premium Rear Seat Convenience Package is aimed at traveling entrepreneurs. It's basically a fancy coat hanger for a suit and premium leather seatback storage and costs $510. You can upgrade to the premium Meridian sound system with 16 speakers for an additional $800, and a head-up display can be had for $1,010.

Dynamically, there is just one upgrade and that's the JaguarDrive Control with Adaptive Surface Response. It costs just $150 and Jaguar says the system senses and adjusts to changing surfaces, especially in adverse weather conditions. This system doesn't dramatically improve the SVR though, so we feel it isn't necessary to tick this box.

The F-Pace SVR only comes in one trim level, but there are many options to consider. We'd add the full semi-aniline leather seats for $1,150, Meridian surround sound audio for $800, and call it quits without racking up a massive options bill. The F-Pace SVR we've just described will run you to $86,550 before destination. With matte paint and flashy 22-inch wheels, our tester exceeded $101,000. Even at that price, the SVR remains a bargain compared to the midsize M, AMG, and Porsche options, although the slightly smaller X3 M starts at a much lower price. Even adding a flashy gloss color and some 22s, you can keep an F-Pace SVR around $93,000.

The Macan Turbo is a tough competitor, but the Jag beats it in a few departments. 550 hp trumps 434 hp. And even with the optional Sports Chrono Package included, the Macan Turbo still wouldn't be able to keep up with the Jag in a straight line. But not all roads aren't straight, and that's where the Porsche ekes ahead. It has an excellent chassis that gets the most out of its twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. As a driving tool, the Macan is a better car. As an SUV, the Jag is better. It has more space both on the inside and in the trunk. It's also more comfortable.

And we simply can't rule out that V8 soundtrack. Soon, supercharged V8s will be a thing of the past. Is the Jag endearing enough to lure you out of a Porsche? We think so, yes.

For years, we've argued that a high-riding SUV could never feel like a sports car. And then Alfa launched the Stelvio Q and proved us all wrong. It has one of the most sublime twin-turbo V6 engines ever produced, easily matching the Jag's intoxicating exhaust output. Alfa keeps on denying that Ferrari helped with the engine, but if you lobbed two cylinders off the 458's V8, this is what you'd get. The bore and stroke match precisely. Coincidence? Who cares?

Like the SVR, the Alfa has an eight-speed gearbox, but it comes with a set of column-mounted oversized paddles that are a joy to use. Put the Alfa in Race mode, and the car will urge you to use them. The Alfa's steering is razor-sharp and communicative. Unnervingly so, perhaps. You can't take your eyes off the road for a second because the Alfa will change three lanes. It may only have 505 hp, but it takes just 3.6 seconds to get to 60 mph. We adore the Stelvio Q and wouldn't hesitate for a second to give Alfa our hard-earned money. But keep in mind, the Stelvio is not a soothing car. If you want a driver's SUV, this is it. If you want something more balanced, get either the Macan or SVR.