2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
Pretty much a sports car in SUV clothing. The vast majority of SUVs do what people want their SUVs to do; they provide an isolated, cushy ride, gentle, if brisk acceleration, and they lean when going around curves. The F-Pace SVR does pretty much the opposite. If a high powered, tightly wound, snorting SUV appeals to you, the F-Pace SVR is worth a drive.
Fun to drive. The SVR turns what is a nice, but not special crossover into a really fun to drive car. The handling is sharp, acceleration is excessive, and the overall package works together. If you’re in the market for a car like a Macan Turbo S or an X3M, and don’t want to pull into the golf club with the same car as everyone else, this is a nice alternative.
SVR’d. SVR is Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Rating label. It’s a performance upgrade that, in the case of the F-Pace, includes a supercharged, 5 liter V8 rated at 550 hp. It includes all wheel drive, upgraded brakes, adaptive suspension, and a bunch of other goodies. The SVR drives hot. Not temperature hot, but like a race horse that’s raring to go. Or maybe it really needs to pee.
Nice size. The F-Pace is a mid size crossover. There’s no third row or seats. There’s no enormous booty to carry around. It’s big enough to carry four people and some stuff, and small enough to navigate parking lots without ramp agents and glow sticks.
Beautiful. Our test F-Pace SVR was just gorgeous in a satin matte finish British Racing Green, with a saddle-colored leather interior. We didn’t even have to drive it to enjoy it.
Great interior. Jaguar went for the all-you-can-eat leather and suede buffet when creating the SVR’s interior. Virtually every surface of the car is covered in one or the other, including the top of the instrument binnacle. It feels very luxurious, and harkens back to Jaguar’s handmade heyday. Ergonomics are solid. The screen is large and mostly logical, and is improved by wireless Apple CarPlay. The temperature controls are prominent and easy to use.

Cons
It’s a driver’s car. Passengers will have to tolerate it. In our small survey, while the driver was having run zipping around curves, passengers were gripping the grab handle. The SVR can be driven gently, but even then, it’s not a luxury ride. The 21-inch wheels and low profile tires contribute to both the sharp handling and the very stiff ride.
Fuel economy. What kind of fuel economy would you expect to get with a 550 hp V8? OK, guess again… lower. We saw about 15 mpg. But if you want one more V8 before they become extinct, you’ll have to pony up at the pump. Given that our test car was priced at just a nose hair below $100,000, the price of gas is probably not a big deal for SVR buyers.
A volume knob, please? We don’t know what some car designers have against volume knobs. They must think “we can improve on this.” But they can’t. Jaguar uses a roller switch on the center console for volume control, which is more awkward than — you guessed it — a knob.