Road Test: 2022 Jaguar F-Pace R-Dynamic S Mild Hybrid

No Blending In with the Crowd

The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace is the largest of the SUVs offered from the storied British car company, joining the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace. This five-passenger luxury SUV delivers civil and refined driving with a design that won’t blend in with the crowd.

Propulsion Options

The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace has three engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is good for 246 horsepower (hp). Next up are two 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged mild hybrid engines, the first with 335 hp and the other with 395 hp.

Clean Fleet Report drove the 3.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged mild hybrid that put the 335 horsepower and 406 foot-pound of torque to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. There are four driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Comfort, Snow and Dynamic, with this last setting our favorite as it provided the most performance.

Mild hybrid engine technology has been, and is being used by several manufacturers. A mild hybrid uses an electric motor in conjunction with a gasoline engine, but unlike a traditional hybrid it cannot run solely on electricity.

The mild hybrid electric motor boosts the gasoline engine when accelerating and helps with fuel efficiency, using a 48V lithium-ion battery that is replenished through regenerative braking. Regen converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery when applying the brakes or coasting. There is no plug on the F-Pace to recharge the mild hybrid system.

Hitting the Road

Using 91 octane fuel, the 3.0-liter mild hybrid produces 335 hp and has an EPA rating of 20 mpg city/27 highway and 22 combined. Over 215 miles of Southern California city and highway driving, our combined average was 25.3 mpg, which was a nice surprise for such a powerful engine. To get this number we opted for the Eco or Comfort drive modes when possible to maximize efficiency. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.

An engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, supercharger and an electric motor is something to behold. Selecting the Dynamic drive mode for a wonderful throaty exhaust note, the acceleration was spirited, with 0-60 mph consistently turned in the 5.2 second range. The paddle shifters produced quick shifts and were fun to play with, but the 8-speed automatic powering all four wheels was plenty to satisfy driving enthusiasts. Engaging Adaptive Dynamics adjusts the steering, transmission shift points and throttle response for the best performance.

The all-wheel drive is rear-wheel biased. Jaguar’s Intelligent Drive Dynamics can vary the torque front-to-rear and side-to side based on driving conditions. Torque vectoring through braking helps distribute torque to the wheel in most need for extra grip. The F-Pace R-Dynamic S has a firm suspension, providing for spirited and sporty driving.

If a softer ride is desired, go for the base F-Pace model. The electric power-assist steering provided excellent steering control and road feel, making the F-Pace handle like a sports sedan—a most engaging SUV to drive.

The Michelin Latitude Tour 265/45 all-season tires, mounted on 21-inch 10-spoke wheels, were quiet and handled well. Replacing them with Michelin Pilot Sport tires would make the F-Pace a handling beast. Stopping was through an electronically controlled brake system that incorporates regenerative control and power-assisted, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brakes.

Classy and Elegant

The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace comes in four models of F-Pace, F-Pace S, R-Dynamic S, and SVR. Clean Fleet Report drove the F-Pace R-Dynamic with the Hot Climate, Premium Upgrade Interior, and Black Exterior Packages. What these did to an already nice-looking SUV was to add some extra interior and exterior touches, making it more unique.

The exterior is smooth and classy. The distinctive grille and Jaguar badge are framed by slim LED quad headlights and what Jaguar describes as the “Double J Blade” LED daytime running lights. It is a great look. The sculpted hood is subtle in its design, and the side view is clean with color-keyed door handles and power exterior mirrors. Black B pillars are accompanied by a narrow chrome strip around the windows, making for a tasteful design.

The sweptback windshield seamlessly leads into the roof that is finished off with a sliding panoramic roof, gloss black rails and a color-keyed shark fin antenna, ending at the visor over the power-operated lift gate. The rear has slim LED tail lights that sit high above the twin rectangular chrome exhaust tips. The only thing that would have made the exterior better was if the rear wiper could have been tucked under the visor.

Premium Interior

The clean interior design has premium materials and soft touch surfaces, with nice elements of open-pore wood veneers, aluminum and piano black. The configurable digital 12.3-inch high-definition driver display has well-placed gauges for ease of viewing. The Sierra Tan Windsor leather seats were soft and supple, comfortable to the touch, and supportive even after many hours behind the wheel. The front seats are 14-way power adjustable with heat, cooling and memory. The 60/40 rear seat, which does not recline but provides good leg and head room, folds nearly flat providing for ample cargo space.

The leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic three-spoke steering wheel has controls for audio, hands-free Bluetooth telephone operation and the adaptive cruise control. The centerpiece of the Jaguar F-Pace cockpit is the 11.4-inch curved glass high-definition touchscreen. Here you will find controls for the Meridian sound system of AM/FM radio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple USB ports, Wi-Fi and wireless phone charging.

The Hot Climate Package included a cooled glovebox, four-zone climate control and an air quality sensor with cabin air ionization. Our F-Pace had the optional head-up display, illuminated metal door sill tread plates, bright metal pedals, ambient lighting, logoed carpet mats, rain sensing windshield wipers, Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror, push button and remote start.

Safety

The 2022 F-Pace has Jaguar’s Clear Exit Monitor awareness technology where front and rear seat passengers are alerted when a car or cyclist are approaching from the side of the vehicle. Additional safety systems include airbags, dynamic stability control, surround camera, blind spot and rear traffic monitors and lane keep assist.

Pricing

These are the base prices for the four 2022 F-Pace models, including the mandatory $1,150 destination and delivery charge.

• F-Pace                            $53,550
• F-Pace S                         $57,150
• F-Pace R-Dynamic S     $65,990
• F-Pace SVR                    $90,650

Warranties

• Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
• Basic – Five years/60,000 miles  
• Maintenance Plan – Five years/60,000 miles
• Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles  

Observations: 2022 Jaguar F-Pace

Refreshed for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace continues to offer luxury with spirited and engaging driving. The F-Pace stands-out in the crowd of midsize luxury SUVs with elegant styling that will turn a few heads in the mall parking lot.

The warranties are comprehensive, giving a true sense of reassurance when consumers may be considering their first British car.

Story and photos by John Faulkner.

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Road Test:2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV

Flash Drive:2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.