Jaguar F-Pace review - Interior, design and technology

The Jaguar F-Pace remains faithful to the original C-X17 concept first revealed back in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and is arguably one of the best-looking SUVs on the market. Designer Ian Callum did a great job, and the upright, bluff nose and mesh grille, along with the narrow headlights, give it a sporty appearance. But despite its vast proportions its hunkered shape helps to disguise its bulk.

From the front, the F-Pace looks intimidating with its big grille and swept-back headlights, while the Jaguar’s coupe-like profile and narrow window line add an aggressive touch. From the rear, R-Sport versions get a bespoke bumper that gives it a sharper look compared to the rest of the range. Plenty of gloss-black trim for the front end, doors and roof rails gives a subtly sporty look, while Jag offers a range of personalisation options to help you individualise your car.

Subtle visual updates for the 2020 facelift include revised front LED lights that feature the twin J-shaped lighting signature first seen on the I-Pace, along with an enlarged grille. New LED tail-lamps have also been incorporated into the rear design.

The refreshed F-Pace’s gear selector no longer rises out of the centre console, instead there's now a stubby ‘palm-shifter’ that features cricket ball-like stitching. The electric window switches have been moved from the top of the door to the more traditional armrest area, while Jaguar has also injected some added practicality with larger storage holders for bottles.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The F-Pace’s cabin is a real step forward from the original model. A centrally-mounted 11.4-inch curved-glass HD touchscreen sits on the centre of the dash and features Jag’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Jaguar says that 90 per cent of all commands can be done within two taps from the home menu.

The display is sharp and loading times are quick too, most noticeably when switching between navigation views, or when using the 360-degree surround view system. The interface itself is well thought out and easy to use, with the home screen split into three customisable shortcut tiles for the navigation, phone connectivity, and various media functions.

One criticism we have of Pivi Pro, is that it lacks any physical controls like BMW’s iDrive system. This is something that some buyers might find more comfortable to use. Fortunately, important functions such as the temperature and fan-speed adjustment are still accessed through large dials on the centre console.