2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport review (video)

The 2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport is a solid take on luxury SUVs in the Australian market, continuing Jaguar’s tradition of combining elegance with robust performance. However, the current model has been around now since 2016, with updates rolled out along the way. Is it too old for modern standards?

As one of the standout variants in the F-Pace lineup, the 400 Sport is designed to captivate drivers thanks to a smooth and powerful inline-six engine. It’s also filled with lots of luxuries and high-end features, some of which are optional on lesser variants.

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: Specifications

Engine: 3.0-litre turbo/e-supercharged inline-six mild-hybrid
Output: 294kW@5500-6500rpm / 550Nm@2000-5000rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 22×9.0, 265/40
ANCAP: Not tested
Kerb weight: 1953kg
Power-to-weight: 6.64:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.5L/100km
Our consumption: 12.3L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 83L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 34.58kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.16 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.37 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.95 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.39 seconds at 164.0km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.915g*
100-0km/h braking: 43.16m in 3.40 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.343g*
Decibel at idle: 43*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 88*
Starting price: $126,046

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: How much does it cost?

The F-Pace has become a very expensive model in recent years, with this 400 Sport variant retailing for an eye-watering $126,046. And that’s excluding on-road costs and options.

There are a lot of tantalising machines you can get for that sort of money. The great things about the Jaguar are its genuineness of character, the stunning design, and the lovely inline-six powertrain.

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: Interior & packaging

Stepping inside, you’re immediately greeted by an atmosphere that smells of opulence. The cabin is adorned with premium materials, including Windsor leather upholstery and open-pore wood veneers, creating a sophisticated ambiance.

The seats offer exceptional comfort with ample support, with proper bucket-like side bolsters to hold you in place during hard cornering. They are also very sporty to look at. Front occupants also enjoy heating and ventilation as standard.

The F-Pace 400 Sport’s interior is not just about luxury, though; it’s also functional and reasonably practical. The dashboard features an 11.4-inch Pivi Pro curved touch-screen, which is both responsive and intuitive. This system integrates with smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Jaguar Land Rover graphics are really easy on the eye, with soft colours and tones and a light and dark theme to select from. At night, the screen can be dimmed down to a subtle brightness, unlike some screens out there. Additionally, the standard Meridian sound system provides an immersive audio experience, but you can go nuts and option up to surreal systems if you want to. At a cost.

Speaking of which, as typical with Jaguar Land Rover products, there are a lot of options to choose from. Some expensive and some reasonably priced. And that’s good as it ensures each vehicle is exclusive. However, there are some options here that should not be optional extras in our view, considering the $126k price tag.

Head-up display will set you back $1960, a fixed panoramic roof is $3570, or $4420 if you want it to slide open, and a surround-view camera system is $950. Four-zone climate control is also $1890, which should be included on a high-end vehicle like this.

Space is an area where the F-Pace 400 Sport excels if you compare it to other mid-size premium SUVs, like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The rear seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom, but middle-seat space is taken up by a chunky driveline hump and centre console.

In recent years VFACTS vehicle classification bumped the F-Pace up to the large SUV class, which means it now competes with the Audi Q7 and so on. And against those, the space isn’t so impressive. Still good, but not class-leading.

The boot capacity is generous regardless of the vehicle category, with a capacity of 793 litres. This can be expanded to 1842 litres with the rear seats folded down. That’s a lot more than any mid-size SUV, and even overshadows the Q7’s 705L capacity. It showcases some tie-down points and hooks, and you can option for loadspace storage rails for $299. A gesture-controlled boot lid is a $280 option.

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: Powertrain & handling

Under the bonnet, the 2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport houses a 3.0-litre inline-six engine, pressurised by a conventional exhaust-driven turbocharger and an electronic supercharger running on a 48V electrical architecture. There’s also an electronic starter-generator system.

On paper, the specifications are impressive, with 294kW of power and 550Nm of torque. However, in real-world driving conditions, the performance feels somewhat muted. The engine’s power delivery lacks the immediate punch that one would expect from a sports-oriented SUV.

Jaguar claims 0-100km/h takes 5.4 seconds. However, on a private road, we tried as hard as we could using a Vbox data-logger and the best it scored was 6.37 seconds. We tried manual mode, Dynamic mode, brake-loading the vehicle before setting off, and even Eco mode. Without brake-loading, the best it could do was 6.70 seconds. That is simply not good enough considering that 294kW punch.

It does pull hard, though, during in-gear acceleration, with the Vbox registering 0.915g during full throttle. And it sounds glorious, delivering a beautiful inline-six sing with a subtle howling undertone. It doesn’t mind being revved high as well which amplifies the driving experience on a spirited road, even if it’s not as quick as you might have been expecting.

With that mild-hybrid tech, the on-paper efficiency is good for this power level. The combined cycle consumption rate is 8.5L/100km. During our test the trip computer revealed an average of 12.3L/100km, which is pretty high but that’s probably because we enjoyed the sound more of the time, rather than concentrating on driving like a senior citizen. It is a relatively clean setup, emitting 199g of CO2 per kilometre.

In terms of handling, the F-Pace feels solid and sure-footed, albeit a bit heavy. It is heavy, weighing in at 1953kg (kerb), and it masks it well during sweeping bends and touring. But in tighter corners that mass does become more pronounced, as there is more of a delay between steering input and chassis response.

Jaguar has equipped this model with an adaptive suspension system, aiming to strike a balance between comfort and sportiness. Over rough country roads there is a hint of choppiness to the ride in Dynamic mode. Overall though it is a pleasure to drive in most conditions, and certainly as an elegant, commuting companion.

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Design: The design of the F-Pace is undeniably attractive, with sleek lines and a commanding presence that turns heads on the road. JLR products always win at this stuff.
• Inline-six: Yep, the legendary inline-six engine configuration makes a comeback. And it is a sweet-sounding unit. Hopefully in years to come we’ll see some aftermarket exhausts being fitted to really open up its lungs.
• Interior presentation: On first impressions, the design, material quality, and layout is beautiful. The Pivi Pro curved screen is rather nice, and it doesn’t overtake the view.

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: Key considerations before you buy

• Expensive: There are a variety of highly desirable options for this sort of money. Some of which are either quicker, more powerful, lighter, or more efficient. Or all of the above.
• Getting old: The F-Pace first debuted back in 2016, and it hasn’t really changed in terms of the fundaments and overarching design.
• Slow: It’s not slow, but for something with 294kW, it is. This should be quicker.

2024 Jaguar F-Pace 400 Sport: Key considerations before you buy