CREDIT: NAUMAN FAROOQ
While the 2019 Jaguar F-Pace S may not be the most elaborate up to date car in the industry, it is certainly worth investing in.

Time is often not kind to car models nowadays, with technology moving as quickly as it does, many models feel very ‘out-of-date’ in a very short amount of time.

The Jaguar F-Pace has been with us since 2016, and it hasn’t changed much at all. So, is it showing its age, or is it the automotive equivalent of Rekha or Christie Brinkley, forever timeless.

To find out, I recently spent some time with a 2019 Jaguar F-Pace S, here’s how we got along.

Styling: In the past three years, Jaguar has done no modifications to the look of the F-Pace (none that I could make out anyway), and that is just fine, because I always thought the F-Pace was a handsome looking vehicle, and it continues to look fresh. This is a perfect example of a good design, that age does nothing to diminish its appeal, Jaguar has always been very good at that, and continues to do so still.

Some styling mods are coming, in the shape of the new F-Pace SVR model, but in general, it is still the same vehicle it has been since its launch.

Interior: It is a similar story when you get inside, the interior is pretty much the same as it was since the launch, however, now it has the 10-inch infotainment screen as standard, which is a huge improvement over the previous system found as standard on the F-Pace.

As you’d expect from a Jaguar, the interior fit and finish is superb, and not only does the F-Pace offer plenty of room for five people, plus their luggage, but it has to have one of the best seats in the business. Even at times when I drove pretty much all day, the seats were simply wonderful. So, if you cover a lot of distance on a regular basis, the F-Pace should be on your shopping list.

Any complaints about the interior? Well, I still am not a fan of where they’ve placed the power windows and power mirror switch, but I can get used to that. Also, while my tester had the optional head-up display system, it is far from being the best system of its kind on the market.

Powertrain: When it comes to its motivation, the F-Pace is currently available with a host of engine choices, from four-cylinder diesel and gas engines, to the upcoming supercharged V8. My tester, the “S” model sits closer to the top of the range, and is the only trim that currently offers the supercharged V6 motor. This 3.0 litre unit develops 380 horsepower and 332 pounds per foot of torque, which sends power to all-wheels via a eightspeed automatic gearbox.

Stomp on the right pedal and it’ll sprint from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 5.5 seconds, and top out at 250 kilometres per hour, so this family hauler can shame plenty of sports cars.

Driving Dynamics: What comes as even more of a surprise, is that the F-Pace can keep up or surpass many sports cars in the twisties. The chassis and suspension setup is just excellent, not only does it ride bumps very well, it has lots of grip through the corners. Its electronic power steering actually offers a lot of feel, which is very uncommon with such systems, and hence encourages you to attack the corner faster and faster. Honestly, this is one of the most exciting CUV or SUV models you can buy currently, so even your school run, or a trip to the grocery store feels exciting.

I love how linear the throttle pedal is, as every inch of travel results in some eager acceleration. You can program the drivetrain yourself, too, along with the suspension, so you can have a vehicle best suited for your terrain and driving style. This is on top of any pre-programmed setting the vehicle comes with for eco, slippery weather, or off-road terrain. So, trust me, the F-Pace is far more capable than most people think it might be.

Fuel Economy: Given that it has a supercharged engine, and has plenty of power, it is expected that the F-Pace S would require premium fuel, and it does. However, the fuel economy was much better than expected. I averaged 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres in my test cycle (170 kilometres of highway driving + 130 kilometres of city driving). That’s not bad, especially considering all the fun I had.

Pricing: The F-Pace range starts from $51,500, but that won’t get you the power and performance of the model tested here. The F-Pace S starts from $69,900 and as tested, the price was closer to $80,000. Given all that this vehicle offers, that is actually quite good.

Verdict: The Jaguar F-Pace is not the newest vehicle on the market, but after spending a week or so with recently, I can honestly say, it is one of the best.