Every week, wheels.ca selects a new vehicle and takes a good look at its entry-level trim. If we find it worthy of your consideration, we’ll let you know. If not, we’ll recommend one – or the required options – that earns a passing grade.
Billed as a five-seat performance SUV, the F-Pace nameplate has been around for a few years and seeks to infuse its all-wheel drive segment with a dose of Jag style. Designed by Ian Callum and built in the UK, there’s reason to expect your neighbours will think you’ve taken work as a Bond villain when parking something like this in your driveway – especially if this Jag is painted inky black.
F-Pace pricing starts at $61,600 for the entry-level model and rockets to six figures for the sultry SVR trim. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 250 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is included as part of the deal. Stepping up to the turbo V6 is a $7,200 proposition which brings 335 horses and 354 lb-ft of twist. It, too, is all-wheel drive. Various and sundry driving aids include parking beepers, lane keep assist and emergency braking.
New LED mascara lines the headlights and is shared with more expensive trims, as are the LED tail lamps and snazzy Jaguar badging. Those side mirrors are heated and a sliding panoramic moonroof opens up to let in views of the night sky (or air out the interior after soccer practice – your call). Keyless entry/go, a powered tailgate, and rain-sensing wipers are expected and included at this price. Fuji White, shown here, is the only zero dollar paint option; if you want the Bond vibe mentioned earlier, be prepared to shell out $850 for Santorini Black.
Dual-zone climate control keeps those up front happy, but rear seat urchins will have to make do with whatever settings their Parental Units deploy. Infotainment is handled by a Meridian-branded sound system with an 11.4-inch screen which features wireless smartphone integration and satellite radio capability. The steering wheel and front seats are heated, the latter of which is covered with what Jag calls ‘DuoLeather’ which is a type of upholstery that will wear well but not necessarily carry the supple properties of buttery Windsor leather which is a $1,750 upgrade.
What We’d Choose
A $600 black exterior package is available on the base model, replacing the exterior brightwork and giving this Jag more road presence. Headlight washers are eminently practical and are a $200 stand-alone option. This is also one of the few brands at this price point which permits wanton selection of interior colours – both of the seats and dashboard finishes – for a mere pittance. The black headliner, black seats, and natural ash veneers shown here cost but $400.
If the peanut gallery is giving you grief, know that heated rear seats with power recline can be had for $700 and quad-zone climate controls for a further $1,400. The latter also includes a cooled glovebox which is the type of feature no one knows they want until they have it. Most brands hide these types of features in expensive packages, not stand-alone items. The gearhead in us also wishes to mention the R Dynamic trim is just a $2,100 walk from the base car, bringing styling cues from its sporty brothers plus Jag’s adaptive dynamic suspension dampers for sharper handling.
Keyword: Base Camp: 2022 Jaguar F-Pace