2023 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

The Jaguar F-Pace SUV has been quite the hit for the famed British manufacturer and brings grace and style to a class dominated by clinical European contenders. The 2023 Jaguar F-Pace SVR retains all the style of the standard model but adds a big dose of spice in the form of aggressive exterior styling and a thumping V8 engine that produces 542 horsepower. This fast cat might not be as dynamically sharp as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio or the Porsche Macan GTS, but it makes up for those shortcomings with a stylish interior, and impressive ride comfort. However, recent price increases mean that it is not quite as competitively priced as before. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR shows that in a world filled with massively capable performance SUVs, pace doesn't have to be the top priority, but does the Jaguar approach stand to earn the support of enough takers at the price?

The Jaguar F-Pace SVR has a base price of $89,500 MSRP while the limited-run Edition 1988 starts at $110,000. This excludes the destination and delivery charge of $1,275 in the USA. Delve into the options list, however, and that price sky rockets rather quickly.

We've come to expect near sports car-like handling from performance SUVs, which is a bit unfair considering the obvious weight disadvantages, but as many in this class have shown, big cars can also be fun to drive. A road-test review of the Jaguar F-Pace SVR quickly reveals that it's not the sharpest of the bunch, but its finely-tuned chassis and suspension setup nevertheless offers a bit of everything, including sporty enough handling. Throw the F-Pace SVR into a corner, and it will remain flat and balanced, but the steering does lack precision and feels vague when simply cruising around. Speaking of cruising, this car's strong suit is how it rolls over bumps. It's a comfortable cruiser and a highway machine of note. The fact that it can also dispatch the 0-60 sprint in 3.8 seconds is a bonus and its well-rounded approach makes it eminently usable on a daily basis.

Thankfully Jaguar hasn't fallen for the idea that cars in this class need to be Nurburgring slayers and all-out sports machines. The 2023 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a very fast SUV (any car that can get to 60 mph in under four seconds is) and can handle the corners like a pro, but that's not where this car's true powers lie. The F-Pace SVR is more of an iron fist in a silk glove; its V8 engine only roars when you really want it to, and the ride comfort and refinement are top-class. We love the stylish interior that is lavishly appointed and the general sense of refinement you get when cruising along. The F-Pace SVR's competitors may be sharper and more technologically advanced, but its laid-back nature suits it just fine, and as a daily driver, it is hard to beat. Sadly, the sales figures show that people perhaps require more S in their SUV in this class and the Jaguar is comprehensively outsold by the GLC and Macan. If you are partial to the Jaguar's strengths, you'll love it, but it's not the best fast SUV in the compact luxury crossover class.

The F-Pace SVR only comes in one trim level, although a special edition is available in limited numbers - only 394 Edition 1988 models will be built worldwide, so good luck getting your hands on one. For everyone else, there are various options to equip to your SVR. We'd add the full semi-aniline leather seats for $1,150, Meridian surround sound audio for $800, park assist for $300, and call it quits without racking up a massive options bill. The F-Pace SVR we've just described will cost you $93,025, including destination.