Jaguar F-Pace eight-speed automatic

The Jaguar XF used to be our favourite automatic Jaguar, but the arrival of the new F-Pace SUV crossover has changed all that.

The sleek and desirable F-Pace is fitted with the same eight-speed automatic gearbox that helped to revitalise its saloon car sister model. And while the traditional torque convertor unit may not have the hi-tech appeal of dual-clutch systems, it’s so smooth and quick to respond that you won’t feel you're missing out.

We'd take our auto F-Pace with the 178bhp Ingenium diesel option and all-wheel drive, as the combination of closely stacked ratios helps provide eager acceleration, while the long-legged eighth gear helps with the admirable economy figures. The eight-speed box works terrifically well in the 3.0-litre V6 diesel F-Pace too, mind you, and you can also enjoy it in Jaguar's BMW 3-Series rivalling XE model.

Best automatic cars 

• • Volkswagen Polo DSG automatic
• • Jaguar F-Pace eight-speed automatic
• • Smart ForTwo six-speed twinamic
• • Porsche 911 PDK
• • SEAT Leon DSG automatic
• • BMW 3 Series eight-speed auto
• • Toyota Prius CVT automatic
• • Mercedes S-Class 7G-tronic
• • Tesla Model S
• • McLaren 650S