Just when it seemed the world’s crossover quota was filled, Jaguar comes along with the F-Pace in 2017. A necessary component in Jaguar’s portfolio, the F-Pace crossover joined a lineup previously dominated by sedans, sports cars, and convertibles.

How does the F-Pace address its place in the universe when the strong-selling crossover genre was already saturated with what appeared to be every variant it could handle?  For starters, Jaguar tapped deeper into the brand’s sporty heritage than it did its luxurious, tweedy side. There’s a stiff, relatively lightweight aluminum chassis beneath its distinctive skin that enables responsive handling, as well as 50/50 weight distribution that helps it feel balanced in the corners. From a pure design perspective, the F-Pace is also more contemporary than it is traditional, veering more towards the jaunty side than the purely utilitarian SUV angle. Similarly, F-Pace is more agile and active than it is sedate and cosseting.

The 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR tops the lineup with a 550-horsepower supercharged V8, a tuned suspension, beefier brakes and a few aggressive styling cues. Jaguar

A wide variety of engines bring a varied arsenal of capabilities to Jaguar’s first-ever crossover. While the base model’s turbocharged, 247 hp four-cylinder is acceptably capable, things don’t get interesting until you step up to the brawnier 296 hp version—and more so, the supercharged 380 hp V6. Both models are sporty and entertaining enough to stand up to some of Jaguar’s more threatening competitors. But if your budget is wide open and your appetite for power insatiable, the top-level SVR model throws every performance bit and bauble at the F-Pace: a 550-horsepower supercharged V8, more aggressively tuned suspension and beefed up brakes to cope with this Jag’s amped-up capabilities. The SVR is capable indeed, able to launch to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. But don’t let the numbers fool you: while both the Porsche Macan Turbo and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S do the deed in an identical 4.1 clicks, the Jag feels incrementally less sorted than its German counterparts. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard for 2020 as is a 380-watt Meridian audio system. Opting for the top-tier Prestige trim brings nicer dash materials, a power-adjustable steering column, built-in navigation, a mobile hotspot, and passive entry. Jaguar

The F-Pace’s interior, though trimmed in Alcantara in more generously spec’d models, still lags behind the competition, let alone the rest of Jaguar’s lineup. While other Jags like the XF receive an updated dual-screen infotainment system, the F-Pace is stuck with a single 10-inch touchscreen with a laggy, dated interface and sometimes buggy operation. There’s also a bit of ergonomic quirkiness to the F-Pace, with window switches placed high atop the door panel, which makes for an awkward experience every time you crave some fresh air.

Front seat passengers are treated to plenty of leg- and hip-room, but the rear occupants may feel a bit pinched on extended journeys. (300 Sport model pictured.) Jaguar

The F-Pace’s on-road manners, particularly the top SVR model, are far less clunky than its ergonomic interface. The electric power-assisted steering feels accurate and communicative for a vehicle of its size, which helps foster a generally well-connected link between the driver and the road. But, as mentioned earlier, while its outright performance figures are impressive, the F-Pace doesn’t quite feel as holistically in tune or as solidly bolted together as does the segment benchmark, the Porsche Macan. Granted, an apples-to-apples comparison between the two reveals the F-Pace is a considerably stronger value proposition, with many of its standard features available as options on the Porsche. And while it’s safe to say the Audi Q5 is less driver-oriented than either car, Audi does deliver more purposeful, functionally efficient crossover that trades some of the competition’s frilly bits with more austere, Teutonic overtones. 

The F-Pace is a better, more entertaining driver than the Range Rover Velar, though the Rangie brings an entirely different attribute to the table: a gorgeously slick design that puts the Jaguar and its nearest aesthetic competitor, the Volvo XC 60, to shame. 

With its sporty demeanor and friendly, but not particularly outstanding interior, the F-Pace is a bit of an oddball in a segment where personalities are distinctly divided. Jaguar

Where does all of that leave Jaguar’s F-Pace? Is it desirable from a pure performance perspective? Sure: though the competition also delivers compelling packages, they also require a steeper initial investment.

There’s a bit more brand passion involved with purchasing a Jaguar, an interest in the nameplate’s intangibles, not the objective reasons people usually use when car shopping. That said, the F-Pace might not be for everyone, but it does do what Jaguars have historically done very well: appeal to a premium minded customer with a sporty proposition that, though admittedly imperfect in certain ways, manages to inspire a fervent following.