First Drive: The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace P400 R-Dynamic
Stunning interior upgrades combine with a electrically supercharged/turbocharged six-cylinder to create a luxuriously fun SUV.
The Jaguar F-Pace leaped forward dramatically in terms of technology and build quality while maintaining its stunning looks. The new P400 straight-six powertrain still has to prove its functionality out there in the wild.
It has been some time since Jaguar shocked the world in 2017 with the introduction of the marque’s first ever SUV. It was a questionable move from the public’s perspective, yet one that made sense financially and was on point with Jaguar’s long-term strategy. The truth was, the market was shifting dramatically and the F-Pace sold in big numbers while Jaguar’s sedans did not improve their sales figures.
Inspired by the F-Type sports sedan, the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace takes the spotlight from competitors like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. There’s a trio of powertrains offered, culminating with the 395-hp turbocharged and supercharged P400 model. The interior is packed with the latest tech and safety is paramount, as evidenced by a plethora of drive assistance systems.
The R-Dynamic Is A Design Jackpot
SUV styling has been a major point of concern for automakers around the world. Let’s face it, it’s not that easy to make a big car look pretty. Yet, Jaguar managed to give the F-Pace a stylish presence. While the fundamental design stays the same, a few changes for 2022 help the F-Pace maintain its status as the best-looking mid-size luxury SUV on the market.
Revised headlights and taillights, a few redrawn lines and large 22-inch wheels give the F-Pace an updated modern flare. Interior changes are more obvious and impactful. Compared to the previous iteration, the new cabin looks and feels like a whole class higher. The 11.4-inch bezel-less floating touchscreen featuring the Pivi Pro OS is the star of the show, flanked below by physical climate control knobs and some decent capacitive buttons in between.
Front seats feature 16-way adjustment and come decorated in Windsor leather, providing utmost comfort when cruising downtown streets. The cabin stays quiet even at highway speeds.
Six Cylinders For The P400
The P400 trim brings along Jaguar’s latest engine, displacing three liters over six cylinders and pushing 395-hp to all four wheels, 404 pound-feet of torque comes into play from as early as 2,000 RPM. This is thanks to the hybrid forced induction system the new Ingenium engine offers.
A turbocharger works together with a small electric supercharger to provide that low end torque, while a 48V mild hybrid system plays its part to provide a zero to 60 time of just 5.4 seconds. For a non-performance SUV model (remember there’s also the range-topping SVR trim), these are great numbers.
The F-Pace P400 rather tame around city streets but the sharp throttle response and constant pull up into the high RPM range brings the best for highway driving. Sadly, while the electric supercharger does its best to keep torque going at low RPMs, there is a considerable amount of turbo lag happening when you apply full power. Yes, the kick is downright surprising once the turbine winds up, but the hang time could be shorter.
Conclusion: Spacious and Powerful Eye Candy
The cockpit redesign is the most striking aspect of the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace P400. While the outside has only been slightly touched, the massive changes seen inside makes the F-Pace P400 one of the best looking and feeling SUVs on the market. It also scores the highest points for headroom and legroom.
Overall, the new Ingenium supercharged and turbocharged engine provides enough power from the get-go, being fun at high speeds, minus the ever-present turbo lag during spirited driving.