Used Jaguar F-Pace review

The Jaguar F-Pace was announced to a surprised public - this was the brand's first ever SUV. Yet when the car arrived in 2016 it was immediately clear that it was a superb first effort - so good that we awarded it our Car of the Year.

We said then that "the Jag is firm yet comfortable, and beautifully controlled on a twisty road. It’s cleverly packaged, too, with a roomy cabin that offers practicality, luxury and simplicity in equal measure. It’s a shame it took so long for Jag to launch its first SUV, but the F-Pace proves it was well worth the wait”.

There are so many great things about the F-Pace - its handling, comfort, technology, practicality and stylish looks. One of those things is probably the reason you're here, and interested in buying a used F-Pace model.

It's worth remembering that it's not all rosy, though. Owners have told us that high running costs, poor build quality, disappointing reliability and unhelpful dealers have soured their relationship with the Jaguar SUV.

Jaguar resisted building a 4x4 of its own for many years because there was a fear that it could tread on the toes of its Land Rover sister brand. Yet it became clear in the 2010s that SUVs were not only what the customers wanted, but also a hugely profitable type of car and Jaguar sit on the sidelines of this growing market. In the event, the F-Pace was a big success for Jag and paved the way for the future E-Pace and I-Pace models that have come since.

Thanks to excellent handling, punchy engines and a spacious cabin, the F-Pace impressed us on our first drive. Its smart looks appealed to buyers too, and there are now plenty available on he used market. There are some impressive rivals to contend with, though, so should you spend your cash on a used Jaguar F-Pace? Read on to find out all you need to know.

Models covered

• Jaguar F-Pace (2016-date) - Jaguar's first SUV was our 2016 Car of the Year – but does it make a good used buy?

History

A choice of 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre diesel engines and a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit were available at the F-Pace's launch in 2016. The 3.0-litre engines were automatic AWD (all-wheel-drive) only, but the 2.0-litre diesel could be ordered with either rear or four-wheel drive, the latter with a manual or auto gearbox.

11

At launch there were five trim levels: Prestige; R-Sport; Portfolio; S; and First Edition. Jaguar’s 296bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine was introduced in July 2017, and the 542bhp F-Pace SVR arrived in the summer of 2018; this coincided with a refresh that brought an upgraded cabin with improved infotainment, plus particulate filters for petrol engines.

Jaguar F-Pace reviews

• Jaguar F-Pace in-depth review
• Jaguar F-Pace 25t review
• Jaguar F-Pace 2.0d review
• Jaguar F-Pace 3.0d review
• Jaguar F-Pace Portfolio review
• Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport review
• Jaguar F-Pace S review
• Jaguar F-Pace Chequered Flag review
• Jaguar F-Pace SVR review

Which one should I buy?

If you're worried about fuel, tax and maintenance costs then a diesel is the one to choose, yet the petrols are good for those who do short trips. If you’re buying to tow you definitely need a diesel powerplant, and if you’re buying a 2.0-litre edition make sure it’s an AWD model.

No F-Pace will disappoint when it comes to interior quality, with even the entry-level Prestige model featuring eight-way electrically adjustable heated front seats, leather trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, navigation and DAB radio. The R-Sport adds sports seats, 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights and a bodykit. The Portfolio comes with 10-way seat adjustment, a heated windscreen and washer jets, panoramic roof, keyless go, electrically folding door mirrors, upgraded hi-fi and a rear-view camera. The S has 20-inch wheels while the First Edition gets 22-inch wheels, LED headlights and electric rear seats.

Alternatives to the Jaguar F-Pace

Audi, BMW and Mercedes offer the Q5, X3/X4 and GLC respectively. None of these is as handsome as the Jag, but they all have far superior infotainment systems and come with efficient engines, decent dynamics plus plenty of high-tech driver-assistance systems. They all have pretty strong residual values, so you’ll be doing well to bag a bargain. Alternatively you could buy a Land Rover, with the Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque or Range Rover Sport all potentially fitting the bill depending on your budget; unlike the F-Pace, both Discoverys are available with seven seats.

11

If you want dynamic brilliance, meanwhile, the Porsche Macan should be on your shortlist, while the hybrid Lexus NX is particularly impressive for its efficiency, equipment, refinement and reliability – but not so much for its driving experience.

What to look for

Sensors

The rear parking sensors can bleep even when there’s nothing there. A software update should remedy this fault.

Build quality

Some owners are unimpressed with the panel fit, especially on the bumpers, bonnet and tailgate, where there can be larger gaps.

Noises

Creaks, squeaks and rattles are more common than you might expect on a premium car, especially on high-mileage examples.

Additive

The AdBlue tank found on diesel models needs to be refilled every 12,000 miles or so; this is included in the service plan if you take one out.

Interior

The Jaguar F-Pace’s cabin is attractive, features high-quality materials in most areas, and is ergonomically sound, but there are a few areas that are of lower quality than one would expect on a car of this price and class. In addition, living with the car for a while reveals some minor usability issues with the switchgear.

What is extremely impressive, though, is the cabin space, with ample room for three in the back, although cars with a panoramic glass roof do forgo a little headroom, which could be an issue for some buyers. Boot space is excellent, at 650 litres, or a mammoth 1,740 litres when the back seats are folded completely flat.

11

Prices

See the latest prices for used Jaguar F-Pace models on out sister site BuyaCar or use our free valuation tool to price a specific model.

Running costs

Whereas the service interval for F-Paces with a 2.0-litre diesel engine is set at two years or 21,000 miles, it’s 12 months or 16,000 miles for the other mainstream models (3.0d, 2.0, 3.0).

Servicing costs for the 2.0d range from around £640 to £1,900 – the latter is for the 105,000-mile or 10-year service for cars built up to 2019. After this date the maximum price jumps to around £2,100. The equivalent prices for an F-Pace 3.0d are about £610 and £2,150; the latter is for the 10-year/160,000-mile service, but the seven-year/112,000-mile service cost is also high, at about £2,050. Services for a supercharged 3.0 V6 model are from around £600-£85; the 2.0-litre petrol costs about £420-£1,650. There’s no cambelt to change on any engine.

Recalls

The Jaguar F-Pace has been recalled no fewer than seven times since it first hit showrooms back in 2016, the first occasion being in August 2016 because of the possibility of an electrical short circuit in the engine bay.

Just one F-Pace was recalled in April 2017 because of a driveshaft detaching, then diesel-engined cars were recalled in May 2017 because of potential fuel leaks; petrol-engined models were subsequently recalled in March 2018 for the same reason.

The digital instrument cluster going blank was the reason for a campaign in October 2017, then in January 2019 a few F-Paces were recalled because of problems with the engine’s crankshaft-retaining bolt fracturing. Two months later, a recall was issued for emissions problems – These were cured with software updates.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The F-Pace didn’t appear in the 2020 Driver Power new car survey, but it did notch up 40th place out of 100 cars in the 2019 poll, which is a pretty respectable result. Owners love the driving experience, its practicality, the exterior design and the quality of the outside finish – but don’t like the multimedia system. Respondents weren’t too enamoured with the F-Pace’s reliability record or running costs, either