Driving a Jaguar F-Type sure attracts a lot of attention. This stunning cat is definitely a head turner!
Moments after first getting into the 2018 Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport AWD coupe, a man in the car next to me on S.W. Broadway in downtown Portland nodded approvingly and gave the thumbs up sign. Another driver rolled down the window and said, “Heck, yeah—nice ride!” The next morning, I drove by a group of school kids waiting for the bus—they all turned their heads. As I was parking the Jag for a meeting, people walking by gave the thumbs up and asked me about the car. And so on… that’s how it went for my week-long test drive. Everybody wanted to know about my gorgeous ride.
The two-passenger F-Type was introduced for the 2014 model year and has had some updates since then but not a re-design. It’s available as a coupe or convertible, with the convertible costing $3,100 more. For 2018, a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine is added to the line-up on the base F-Type trim.
A dizzying array of trims and features are available: F-Type, F-Type R-Dynamic, F-Type 400 Sport, F-Type R, and F-Type SVR with starting prices ranging from $59,900 to $125,000. Jaguar says there are 28 derivatives from the base F-Type to the F-Type SVR, which can go 200 mph. My tester, the 400 Sport, is only available for the 2018 model year.
F-TYPE Coupe and Convertible
300PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
340PS 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift RWD/ manual RWD
380PS 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD, manual RWD
F-TYPE R-Dynamic Coupe and Convertible
300PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder; Quickshift RWD
340PS 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift RWD/ manual RWD
380PS 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift; RWD/ AWD, manual RWD
F-TYPE 400 SPORT Coupe and Convertible
400PS 3.0-litre V6; Quickshift RWD/ AWD
F-TYPE R Coupe and Convertible
550PS 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift AWD
F-TYPE SVR Coupe and Convertible
575PS 5.0-litre V8; Quickshift AWD
The F-Type and F-Type R Dynamic trims are available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed Quickshift automatic transmission. The upper trims are only available with the automatic. The base trim has rear-wheel-drive. All-wheel-drive is available on the R-Dynamic and 400 Sport, and is standard on the R and SVR trims.
Each trim has a different powertrain. The base has a new engine: a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The F-Type R-Dynamic has a super-charged V6 that makes 380 hp and 339 pound-feet. My tester, the F-Type 400 Sport, has a supercharged V6 that produces 400 hp and 339 pound-feet. The F-Type R has a V8 that makes 550 hp and 502 pound-feet. And if you still need more power, the SVR has a supercharged V8 that cranks out 575 hp and 516 pound-feet.
I always appreciate the theatrics of getting behind the wheel of a Jaguar. The start/stop button pulses like a beating heart, inviting you to start the engine. The rumbling growl of the exhaust note sounds so sweet. Once the engine has started, the center air vents rotate up.
Driving the F-Type is a thrill. Hey, it’s a two-seater with 400 horsepower, so it’s a blast! Acceleration is super quick, steering is precise and the AWD helps it stay planted when cornering. Sure, you can spend a lot more and get a car with even more power and increased agility that performs better on the track. But the F-Type definitely has the driving dynamics to get your blood pumping. I found myself with a big grin whenever I was behind the wheel, even for such mundane errands as going to the grocery store. Jaguar says the base model can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the SVR does it in just 3.5 seconds.
The F-Type is also nice to drive around town. Some performance cars are so twitchy that they’re not a lot of fun in busy traffic. But the F-Type is pleasant as a daily driver, providing a comfortable ride. And you know you’ve got plenty of power anytime you want to put this cat through its paces. Rear visibility is a bit hampered by the thick roof pillars.
EPA mileage estimates for the F-Type 400 Sport AWD Coupe are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with a combined rating of 21. I got 21 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
You can record and share your experience driving the F-Type on social media with Jaguar’s new ReRun app developed in collaboration with GoPro. ReRun combines real-time video from the driver’s GoPro with the F-Type’s performance data, such as speed, throttle position, gear selection, braking force and g force. The high quality video can be downloaded to the driver’s smartphone and shared on social media.
The classy interior is what you’d expect in a Jaguar. Top notch materials include saddle-quality leather and suede accents. The front passenger gets a large handle to grab for times when the driver is letting the F-Type go. Headroom is decent, but legroom may be tight for taller passengers.
Standard features in all trims include rearview camera, five-inch instrument display, eight-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, navigation, 12-speaker Meridian audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, USB port, a rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Available features include proximity key, push-button start (automatic models), panoramic roof (coupe models), 14-speaker Meridian audio system, adaptive front lighting with cornering lamps, a, front parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, parallel park assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and blind spot monitoring.
Jaguar’s InControl Apps let you integrate your smartphone into the infotainment system. It’s not as efficient as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, however. InControl Remote provides remote access to the F-Type.
The F-Type’s infotainment system is a bit clunky. It did get updated for 2018 but could use another revamp. It’s not particularly intuitive and sometimes requires you to maneuver through menus and submenus for relatively simple functions.
InControl Apps helps you connect your smartphone to the car, but it’s less useful than features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (which some rivals offer).
Trunk space is above average for the class at 11 cubic feet, or 14 cubes if you take out the cargo privacy screen. That’s enough for an overnight trip or several grocery bags. Convertibles have 7.3 cubes. A power trunk lift is available.
The good:
Gorgeous looks inside and out
Sweet exhaust note
Excellent performance that’ll have you smiling
Available at many different price points with many different powertrains
Trunk is larger than many competitors
The not-so-good:
Spendier rivals offer more dynamic performance
Infotainment system is a bit clunky
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available; instead you get Jaguar’s InControl system.
Taller passengers may feel cramped
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $92,500. Destination fee is $995 bringing the grand total to $93,495.
Bottom line:
Jaguar says the F-Type was designed to provide outstanding ability and response without compromising the day-to-day usability and ride comfort one expects from a Jaguar. That’s exactly how I would describe the F-Type after my week. And I’d add that this is one car I’m definitely sad to give up when my test drive is over.
