Jaguar F-Type. The British company will swear virginity in 2025 and solely produce electric vehicles. Jaguar itself isn’t sure how that will appear. But we know that the F-Type is already a classic after traveling the globe in this gorgeous sports vehicle for over ten years. Nothing on the market is as breathtakingly beautiful as this Jaguar unless you pay twice as much for an Aston Martin DBS or three times as much for a Ferrari 812. However, its tail-happy handling and boisterous sound have softened in old age.
Although appearances are subjective, we can confidently declare that other drivers often mistake the F-Type for something more exotic and that other sports car drivers admire it. Jaguar may be a problematic firm with a poor quality control record (until recently, the manufacturing floor was covered with mud, and employees used mallets). Still, it has an unrivaled enthusiasm for design. The F-Type was developed for an extended period, and when it was ultimately shown in 2013, it resembled its E-type forebear in style.
This vehicle is an actual sports automobile. It is designed to be seen and then quickly drop out thanks to its two seats, almost equal weight distribution, aluminum body, wide stance, low center of gravity, and hip-hugging seats positioned far back against the rear axle. The automobile is renowned for its raucous V8 engine, which is still there today but has been considerably muted. For 2022, the outdated supercharged V6 and the turbocharged inline-four were eliminated, along with the elusive manual gearbox, and the F-Type saw no significant updates for ’23.
The heart of this automobile is what’s left: A stylish but rugged coupe or convertible designed to be noticed. There are two widescreens and a typical digital instrument panel in the infotainment system, but there are no gee-whiz displays, fashionable applications, or hands-free driving assistance systems. The BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra have more technology, but none is as attractive. The Nissan Z is almost as quick, and the Chevrolet Corvette is even quicker, but neither is as stylish. The Porsche 911 can go even quicker but costs much more money.
Thankfully, Jaguar has plenty of modern conveniences. However, if you attempt to drive an F-Type daily, the enormous blind spots created by those stunning rear haunches will quickly haunt your every lane change if you don’t choose the stand-alone blind spot monitoring option. The chrome leaper logo on the spoiler bounces sunlight right back into the rearview mirror. More caution is necessary on driveways and incline surfaces due to the ground clearance and complex low-profile tires. Have you ever gotten a quotation from a body shop for aluminum? You park as far away from people with an automobile like this.
Although there are disadvantages, that thirsty V8 will keep you addicted to the road on those sunny days when the road is open. This automobile, which comes with 444 or 575 horsepower, is anything from quiet to sluggish. This vintage Gran Turismo will gobble up back roads while keeping you and one fortunate passenger quite comfortable. It’s not the nimble handler like a Porsche, and it’s by no means a track vehicle. Although Jaguar must discontinue it, we will continue to love the F-Type while it is still being produced.
Performance: Jaguar F-Type
A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with either 444 horsepower (basic, R-Dynamic) or 575 horsepower (R) is standard on all F-Type variants. The other two models feature variable-split all-wheel drive, but the basic model only has rear-wheel drive. There is just an eight-speed automatic available.
The music is top-tier. The F-Type roars when fully throttled; when it is not, it snaps and crackles like a Harley. For being one of the first producers to give a snap-crackle-pop burble-tune from the factory on this particular automobile in 2014, you may thank (or despise) Jaguar.
Due partly to consumer input (the vehicle now cold-starts with its exhaust flaps closed instead of wide open) and partly because of stricter noise rules, notably in Europe, the most recent model is quieter and calmer than prior generations. Another justification, as we learned from the F-Type forums, is that Older V8 automobiles often have oxygen sensor and catalytic converter burnout (the pops are caused by extra gasoline being routed to the exhaust upstream). Although it’s not nearly as absurdly loud as it once was, the vehicle still sounds fantastic.
The F-Type shifts rapidly in whatever driving mode, and the paddle shifters react just as effectively. This is particularly true on the highway in eighth gear when the vehicle cruises and immediately engages third. A big V8 with a supercharger cannot be avoided. It simply pulls hard and won’t let go until you do. The grip levels can’t compete with the Corvette, and the handling isn’t as balanced or accurate as a 911.
The F-Type weighs nearly 4,000 pounds despite having an all-aluminum chassis, notably in the front of the large engine. However, the double-wishbone suspension’s fine-tuning and the electric-assisted steering’s road input seem entirely at ease and natural. An F-Type will quickly cut curves without jarring you during extended cruising. It’s excellent. Just be aware that it’s not a Cayman GTS-style time-attack machine that can’t be beaten.
Fuel efficiency: Jaguar F-Type
The EPA assesses the P450 RWD’s fuel efficiency at 17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg overall. All other all-wheel drive vehicles have mileage ratings of 16 city, 24 highway, and 18 combined. The ratings for coupe and convertible variants are the same.
This is slightly below the Porsche 911 Carrera (18, 24, and 20) or a Porsche 718 Cayman GTS (19, 24, and 21), comparable to the Chevrolet Corvette. The fuel economy of a BMW M4 Competition is 16 cities, 23 highways, and 19 combined. 18 24 20 are the earnings of an Aston Martin Vantage. The Mercedes-AMG SL, which is just as luxurious but quicker and more costly, performs far worse with a combined maximum of 16 mpg. The efficiency is rather excellent for a vehicle of this sort, considering the F-sort has a massive eight-cylinder engine while the Porsche models use smaller sixes.
Safety & Driver Support
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the European New Car Assessment Program have not rated the F-Type. There are six airbags as standard. The same goes for front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, driver attention monitor, forward emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition.
The adaptive speed limiter, which shuts the throttle at a predetermined speed (without cruise control), is a unique feature in modern automobiles. There is no adaptive cruise control or semi-automated highway function.
Although highly recommended and optional, blind-spot monitoring is another Jaguar Land Rover-only feature: a warning of closing speed. The technology quickly displays an alarm in the mirror seconds before the car enters the blind zone when a car approaches from behind the F-Type at a more incredible speed (10 mph or more). Doing so will give you a head start, and you won’t try to change lanes.
Room: Jaguar F-Type
The F-Type is snug but not claustrophobic, as other reviews have stated for a vehicle designed for two people. It is broader than a Porsche Cayman and feels less cramped than a C8 Corvette (mainly because the dashboard only partly separates the cockpit from a grab grip). Even with the optional panoramic glass top, there is enough headroom and legroom for anyone six feet two inches tall. Still, anybody more significant is a statistical oddity that sports vehicles (and racing cars) aren’t built to handle.
We’d suggest the glass roof since it significantly brightens the usual black interior and includes a manual shade (instead of the thin mesh or no-shade designs popular on newer vehicles), letting light through instead of blocking it. The only drawback is that it won’t open.
Although supportive and comfy, the standard leather seats with microsuede inserts do not have the adjustable side bolstering of earlier F-Type models. They only have six power adjustments, so we advise getting the 12-way Performance seats instead, which provide additional bolstering and have sexier-looking patterned leather around silver neck cutouts. The tight back seats seen in many sports cars and sports coupes are seldom used by their owners. The F-Type is unconcerned.
Infotainment: Jaguar F-Type
Because the F-Type has an outdated electrical design, it lacks the most recent Jaguar Land Rover infotainment system, Pivi Pro. However, compared to when it first appeared on the 2018 F-Type, the InControl Touch Pro system performs effectively and responds rapidly. With navigation, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and onboard applications like 4G access to the Jaguar Remote app (for remote unlocking, geolocation, etc.), a 10-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel are standard.
The colors are vivid and rich, particularly on the driver display, which has several perspectives and can show full-screen maps. A head-up display or 360-degree cameras are not available. The cabin is equipped with one of two Meridian audio systems, each with ten speakers and 380 watts of power (or 12 speakers and 770 watts), albeit the numerous surround sound settings need the more potent system.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Although a two-person interior should free up baggage room, many sports vehicles, such as the Nissan Z and Aston Martin Vantage, feature uncomfortable humps and intrusions. At least as a coupe, the F-Type cleverly arranges everything on one level and creates additional room in the fenders at the front of the luggage area to make up for the significant double-wishbone suspension.
There is a concealed compartment below the cargo tray and an impressive 14 cubic feet of room when the cargo cover is removed (no spare tire). The F-Type is more capable than most two-seat sports cars of handling a weekend getaway or a trip to the grocery store, while it won’t swallow a golf bag like a Corvette and doesn’t have two trunks like a Cayman. Due to the storage and mechanism for the soft top, the convertible’s trunk only has roughly five cubic feet, which is comparable to a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Unlike the tailgate on the coupe, it cannot be powered up or down.
Compared to a 911, the door map pockets, central cubby, and two cupholders in the center are more oversized. Earlier F-Type models featured a tiny cubby on the parcel shelf between the seats, but more current versions have sealed it off and added a net to protect phones. The glove compartment opens with an electronic lock and is a respectable size.
Design: Jaguar F-Type
Regardless of your opinion of the new car’s 2021-debuted revised front look, the F-type is stunning. The F-Type is a classic automobile sculpture, much like the E-Type at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Beauty is subjective, but the Aston Martin Vantage and maybe the most recent 911 are the only vehicles that can be compared on a level with the F-Type, in our opinion.
The coupe has a beautiful tail and single-piece rear fenders that extend uninterruptedly from its broad haunches to the top and down to the front A-pillars. The convertible does not have any of these features. The all-aluminum body lacks any fashionable, sharpened features that would soon seem dated but has just the right amount of character lines and wrinkles to draw attention to shadows and provide depth. The F-Type is made distinctive by little touches like the parking sensors concealed in the car’s black grille and bumper components or the rear wheel spokes having a deeper inset than the front.
Although you’ll need to spend money on the Full Extended Leather Upgrade package to select another choice for soft leather on the roof, the interior has aged well. It comes with richer materials than in previous years. The dash has rotary dials and toggle switches that are well-damped and knurled, and the central air vents only rise above the dash when necessary—a pointless but entertaining bit of drama. The seat heating (or cooling) is shown as you turn the climate knobs, making excellent use of available space and being far more straightforward than navigating touchscreens.
Is the 2023 Jaguar F-Type Worth it?
The standard, rear-wheel-drive F-Type coupe offers the most significant value. That wasn’t always the case, but the 2023 model offers many more vehicles for the money at the lower end of its portfolio, thanks to Jaguar’s decision to forgo lesser engines in favor of an all-V8 selection.
The P450 has greater power and all the amenities of the preceding P380 R-Dynamic trim (which featured a V6) at a cheaper cost and begins at $74,675 (with a $1,150 destination tax). It has the same throaty V8 engine with the loud, active exhaust that made the F-Type famous, along with 20-inch wheels, adjustable dampers, a limited-slip differential, and other features.
While the R, at $109,775, offers the most power, the P450 R-Dynamic adds all-wheel drive, 12-way power seats, and a few additional amenities for $85,175. However, as with any European vehicle, it pays to select the proper extras (dual-zone temperature is an add-on even for the R, and keyless entry is not standard on lesser grades). Try instead to find a Porsche with leather pillars and soft leather sun visors. The price of a 911 Carrera S with minimal equipment is around $125,000, compared to the price of a fully loaded F-Type R.
The F-Type appears pricey for its performance compared to a Corvette or an M4. It accelerates more slowly and grips less firmly. But the F-Type is a good deal if you don’t care about racetrack statistics. It seems to be twice as expensive.
How much does the Jaguar F-Type’s insurance cost?
A lot. With a clean driving record, a typical 30-year-old female driver may anticipate paying a premium of $3,310 for the primary 450 and $4,550 for the F-Type R. The Porsche 718 Boxster costs $2,623 (and more for the S and RS models), a Toyota Supra Premium 3.0 costs $2,476, and a BMW M4 Competition costs $4,964.
Jaguar F-TYPE Generations
First Generation
2013 to Present
Despite being ten years old, the Jaguar F-Type is still in its first generation. Numerous F-type prototypes started to develop inside Jaguar as early as 1979. Still, it wasn’t until 2012 that the F-Type, based on the 2011 C-X16 concept vehicle, emerged as the brand’s legitimate replacement for the iconic E-Type.
A minor aesthetic upgrade for the F-type was made in 2018, and a significant modification was made in 2021. The basic design was kept untouched, but the update included new LED headlights and streamlined lens housings, thin taillamps, fresh 10-spoke 20-inch wheels, a choice of new exterior color finishes, a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a new 10-inch infotainment system. The previous four- and six-cylinder engines were eliminated for 2022, leaving only Jaguar’s potent V8s with 444 or 575 horsepower. The anticipated end of production is 2024.
Verdict
The Jaguar F-Type is an uncommon, stunning sports vehicle with more personality than a sea of Porsches. The F-Type, now in its eleventh model year, maybe older than many of its rivals, but, like its E-Type progenitor, it has never gone out of style. With the lineup being reduced last year, the F-Type is currently only available in the finest form: as a pure-bred V8. Although some of its competitors are quicker and more expensive, Jaguar will never again be matched when it switches to all-electric propulsion in 2025.
