It's been a long time since I've reviewed a Jaguar and spoiler alert, I kinda like this.
Some think fancy cars improve your image. And that’s probably true… when it comes to
strangers. Friends, family and coworkers know us as the knuckleheads we are. Cars don’t improve our
personalities or our bank accounts, heck they’re notoriously bad investments. But darned if the
Jaguar F-Type doesn’t make you feel REALLY good inside. There’s buckets of performance, sound
and style happening. No posing there. Because these are as rare as the brand’s namesake,
it’s easy to forget Ian Callum drew up a beauty here. Same goes for the leather trimmed cockpit,
that looks like the entire output of a small ranch.
The F-Type starts at $71K. As tested with all the good stuff you’d want on a Jag it’s
86. And the first thing you might think is “hey, that’s expensive”. Sure is. But it’s possible to
option up a Mustang and Camaro to the same level. Or higher. So there’s that.
Like the Ford and Chevy, the Jag can be had as a convertible.
Most people considering an F-Type would be cross shopping a Corvette,
911, Boxster, Cayman, Z4, Supra, GT-R or LC500. Buy what you love. And it’s proof there are
more sport coupes than you might think. All of them soul satisfying in their own way.
Here are a few of the extras driving up the Monroney- The Interior package with extra nice
leather is 3,800 dollars. The combined options on the 18-way adjustable heated and vented chairs
add up to nearly thirty-five hundred bucks. These 20-inch wheels go for one thousand five hundred.
And the glass roof is a bargain at 1,200. Seattle is as dreary as London so the light is nice.
Checking the oil draws even more eyeballs, tucked under the aluminum clamshell is a supercharged
5-liter V8 that’s good for 444 horsepower and 428 lb-ft torque in this P450 model.
All F-Types are powered by 8-cylinders now
the higher performance R model ups that to 575 horses like that operatic baritone voice?
It goes deeper
with a Billy Idol edge.
This one’s rear drive, AWD is available. Gears are swapped with an 8-Speed automatic.
Most of these electronic joystick controllers requires deliberate action,
this is no exception. Manual control can be done on the console and here. And there
are drive modes, I’m thinking Dynamic mode will get more use than Snow mode.
With the V8 packing 444 hp acceleration isn’t an issue with 0 to 60 happening
in about 4.4 seconds. If that’s not enough for you the R version shaves about a second off.
Both of them though sound incredible
I’m certain that watching this video you don’t get the full effect of that sound. In person
it’s bone piercing
It’s a very selfish satisfaction, I half expected the residents living in this area to
come at me with pitchforks. Electric cars are much stealthier if all you want to do is hoon about.
The bonded and riveted aluminum chassis structure does not shudder or quiver. At. All.
Low and wide this car has no issues when it comes to cornering. It’s really fun
but I really don’t see this as a track toy it’s more of a GT. It’s comfortable and it’s quiet,
unless you put your foot into it hard
then it sounds like a Jaguar should.
But mostly, when cruising, the decibel level is on the low side. It never assaults the ears.
And it treats your backside with respect too. Performance cars are getting better
at keeping harshness away and the Jag rides the firm-but-comfortable line gracefully.
Let’s talk about the transmission, I nearly forgot to talk about it because it’s so good
at what it does, you just don’t really notice it. Unfortunately it’s not available with a manual.
If you want to row your own, buy a Porsche. The 2-seat F-Type is not a small car, yet the cabin
isn’t spacious. Personally, I like cars that feel tailored to my my 5’9” frame.
But most Americans prefer vehicles as spacious and wide as this field. I don’t see Jaguar
making anything like an Escalade anytime soon. Move over to Land Rover for that.
The EPA rated fuel economy is 19 miles per gallon average, not bad for a V8. You know jaguar owners
spending $86,000 for a car… I think they can afford that and premium fuel is required.
Let’s get back to the dynamics of the F-Type. Maybe get a little philosophical.
Modern performance cars are incredibly capable, some insanely so. I’ll testify
that 0-60 in 3 seconds or less, and full lateral Gs in hard cornering is loads of fun… but that’s
best for the track. Maybe a car’s overall character is more important on public roads.
I’ve been lucky enough to drive some real high-performance metal lately including
the Cadillac Blackwings and the F Type does not measure up to that kind of lofty performance but
it’s very soul satisfying. In every day driving
it’s just terrific and maybe that’s what’s most important time.
That's the long way of saying that the F-Type has
a way of getting under your skin in a way that numbers can’t quantify.
F Type has a significant amount of power meaning brakes are important.
The binders and pedal modulation is excellence
you might’ve noticed there’s an automatic engine start stop system, it’s easy to turn off.
Man. If the styling doesn’t command attention, the engine note will.
There are a lot of great things that can be said about this space. For starters,
at 86 grand, it’ll make anyone feel like a million bucks, so that’s real value.
Also, it’s strictly a 2-seater so no dealing with my goof ball brother in the back seat. Only room
for a coat. Old money materials meeting new money design is a great vibe, though large
buyers could find it too cozy in here. I’ve always like these dual function controls. And
while Jaguar / Land Rover has been savaged in the past for its InControl Touch Pro user interface,
the layout and touch response is now snappy and fluid with a natural feel.
It doesn’t have the level of casual voice commands that the Germans offer and standard Android Auto
and Apple CarPlay requires a cord. I point that out because a standard iPhone 13 just
barely fits in the center console where the USB ports live. And there’s no good place for larger
phones outside the cubby. All the storage areas are compact but lined so things don’t rattle.
Practicality? Buy an F Pace, not an F Type.
There’s no spare tire but there’s enough room to stash small stuff.
There’s 14 and a half cubic feet to fill. Dipping into my personal stash,
F-Type will handle two suitcases or in this case a pack of Costco’s finest and my camera bag,
you don’t think I have two bundles at home do you? The hoarding days are over…. I hope. The
security cover does it’s job, everything is hidden away. Time for the Red Light Green Light wrap up.
Green Light- The overall organic goodness of the F-Type is unmatched by few automobiles.
Obviously, this is a gorgeous car, a lovely thing to walk up to.
It’s grand touring dynamics make it an engaging everyday driver.
The sound yeah, if you did the playing cards on your bicycle spoke thing, this is for you.
Yellow Light- The lovely crafted cabin might feel claustrophobic to large people.
Pricing is reasonable when compared to a Porsche 911, but a Corvette is less
expensive. The much-improved user interface lacks advanced features like wireless CarPlay.
Red Light- Like all beautiful coupes, practically is sacrificed.
I averaged 17 miles per gallon, bad for the wallet and the environment.
As much as I love the sound, the neighbors won’t, at least in sport setting.
There’s theatre that happens with the F-Type. It satisfies the senses,
gets your heart beating just a little bit quicker. That kind of subtle emotion can trump 0-60 times.
And in our mass produced world, it’s a rarity on the road.
The F Type to drive, it looks great,
sounds terrific and you don’t see it coming and going so maybe this is something to consider
Everyone’s different. I’m a firm believer that buying the car you love
is the best value overall, one that you’ll keep longer, and maintain better. The Jaguar
F-Type does more than impress strangers. It’s an emotional coupe that satisfies the soul.
You all know that I do my own photogrpahy and I need help when shooting the running footage.
So as always a round of applause for Martin Campbell for driving duties.
Unlike the big channels, I’m essentially a one-man operation.
Which is an advantage. Things like wiping down the car multiple times gets me familiar with the
design integrity. And as an editor I’m intimately aware of how to show you substiles. I do my best
to give you awesome visuals and insight. To cut through the hype without yammering on and on.
I’m not perfect, but hey, always relentlessly trying to be.
I approach every car with an open mind and I have to say that over my five days with it,
the Jag’s appeal crept up on me in a surprising way.
The brand’s been off my radar screen. I need to get into an i-Pace again.
Reliability dogs this cat, Jaguar not exactly known for that. But the latest JD power research
finds it just behind Audi and Honda and ahead of Chrysler and Acura so it’s improving and it does
have a five-year 60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Plus free scheduled service.
This isn’t the common perspective, it’s why I do research. Speaking of I’ll mention the
quotes service I have. I’m a bad business person so I’ll encourage you to use any of them like
Cars.com. Use mine and it supports this channel. And full disclosure, like all of them, it works
better in some cities and with some brands and dealerships than others, but the team is always
improving it. I’m about getting good information out to you because… it’s what I would want.
And I seldom capture peoples response to a car.
But this was pretty typical , The F-Type is a crowd pleaser.
Those that subscribe to the channel (and really why wouldn’t you) know that at the
end of these videos I normally offer up a fun fact and this time it’s about the Jaguar name.
It wasn’t always called Jaguar. Originally it was the Swallow Sidecar Company because
it made motorcycles sidecars. Then it got into automotive coach building and became the Swallow
Coach Building Company. It was only after World War II was over that it became Jaguar named after
yes the animal plus one of the car models that it made. And I am aware through analytics that many
of you watch from the UK. No I’m not using the proper British pronunciation Jag-U-are. I also say
aluminum OK I’m from the US I grew up in northern Minnesota. Viva le difference. Remember subscribe
to the channel click notifications follow me on Twitter I’m very active there and if you have a
question leave it in the comments I’m good about answering that stuff that’s driven in Tom Voelk