If the regular Jaguar F-Pace is a Swiss Army knife, then the PHEV is what happens when you add a bottle opener and laser pointer to the mix.
Jaguar’s electrified ambitions haven’t exactly grabbed headlines the way some of their German counterparts have.
The F-Pace itself is almost a decade old, having launched back in 2016, and for the most part, this F-PACE is the same car as the 2021 facelifted model, with the main difference being the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain that now resides underneath.
But hey, nothing wrong with an older model, and it quietly goes about its business, offering a “new” option for prospective customers who wish to snag up a car from the big cat before it goes woke.
Don’t expect any radical design shifts
This is still the muscular, cat-like SUV we’ve come to know. Wide haunches, that rakish bonnet, and the imposing grille up front.
It straddles that delicate line between elegance and aggression rather well. Plus, it doesn’t even have any badges that give away its greener intentions.
The biggest glow-up here is what lies within. With the 2021 refresh, the interior finally feels like a luxury SUV and not the cabin of a late-2000s executive saloon. There’s proper craftsmanship; tactile surfaces, stitched leather, and metallic accents that feel reassuringly premium.
Front and centre is the new 11.4-inch touchscreen. It’s slick, quick to respond, and thankfully not as fussy as you’d expect from a British carmaker’s attempt at digital reinvention.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and there’s a cooling fan for the wireless charging pad so your phone doesn’t turn into a roasted marshmallow.
Singapore-bound units will all be the R-Dynamic variant, giving you gloss-black everything and visual drama. It’s easy to get carried away, and at that point, you’re playing in big-boy territory with BMW X5s and Land Rover Discoverys lurking nearby.
It’s still family-oriented
Of course, there’s always a price to be paid, and in this case, it’s boot space. The battery eats into the underfloor storage, trimming the luggage capacity by around 20%.
No room for charging cables down there either. Most plug-in SUVs suffer the same fate.
But for everyday use? It still handles family duties just fine. And that elevated driving position continues to offer that all-important SUV smugness in traffic.
Power Meets Poise
The headline act here is a combined 398 horsepower, served up by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and a 141bhp electric motor. The P400e is a sophisticated squall, giving the driver smooth and swift power.
Around town, the electric motor takes the lead, offering up to 67 kilometres of pure electric range under ideal conditions. That’s enough for most urban commutes and school drop-offs.
Once the battery runs out, the engine does consume some juice. We managed 13.7km/litre, a commendable figure with some dynamic driving thrown in.
The ride is commendably plush, even on the optional 22-inch wheels that look like they’ve been lifted straight from a concept car. Steering is light but accurate, and while you won’t be flinging this into corners like a sports saloon, it doesn’t embarrass itself on a B-road either.
Yes, the added weight from the battery makes it less sprightly than its non-hybrid siblings. But unless you’re doing your best impression of a Nürburgring lap, you probably won’t mind. It prefers a relaxed, confident lope.
Purrs Softly, Strikes Quietly
The Jaguar F-Pace PHEV isn’t the loudest player in the hybrid SUV market, and that might just be its greatest strength.
What it offers is balance, a serene daily driver that can be electric when you want, petrol-powered when you need, and stylish no matter what.
For buyers seeking something more distinctive than the usual suspects from Munich or Stuttgart, the F-Pace PHEV presents a thoroughly British alternative.
Quietly capable, endlessly charming, and with just enough bite to keep things interesting.
Technical Specifications
Jaguar F-Pace PHEV
Engine: 2-litre in-line 4, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 398 bhp
Torque: 640 Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 5.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 240 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity: 69 litres
Fuel Economy: 15.6 km/litre (tested)
Price: S$237,888 without COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
Read more content at Burnpavement, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!
