If someone were to produce a screenplay about the 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR, the headline would surely read “a symphony for the senses”. The subsequent tagline would include “405kW, 8-cylinders and 32 valves of supercharged perfection”.
The truth is, this writer struggles to find the appropriate adjectives to describe the sound that emanates from this not so humble 5-seat SUV. Any sustained efforts to do so saw one ending up a blabbering metaphoric mess.
But to focus purely on the outputs of the glorious drivetrain is to be far too myopic. The reality is this vehicle possesses a range of attributes that combine to make it a near-perfect choice for the car person who needs to cart humans and cargo. Let us elaborate.
Visuals are typical Jaguar understated elegance, with just enough to allude to the beast within. Functional gloss black vents on the bonnet and front quarter panels are tasked with cooling the engine bay and brakes, while an angrier front air dam hides various radiators.
These details contrast deliciously against the Eiger Grey hue on our example, one of a long list of shades available. Monstrous optional 22-inch staggered gloss black wheels with matte grey trims hide red brake callipers and continue the dark theme.
At the rear, quad tailpipes are the only other clue to the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of the F-PACE SVR. This is quite possibly the ultimate Q-car (or sleeper if you prefer). If not for the raucous soundtrack, most wouldn’t give it a second glance.
Those wheels are wrapped in serious Pirelli P Zero rubber, measuring 295 up the back and 265 up front, and you need every bit of the gumball-like grip these will conjure. While this is an all-wheel drive platform, the drivetrain has a considerable task.
It must contend with that 405kW of power and some 700Nm of twist. Pair that with the first time we experienced the rate at which the eight gears are dispatched in a straight line, and it’s simply breath-taking.
It’s a traditional convertor box, but shifts a lot more like a DSG, with satisfying throttle blips on downshift, through the steering wheel mounted paddles. Given the aural drama, it’s no wonder the claimed fuel consumption of 11.9-litres/100km was difficult to attain.
We were unable to better 14.3-litres, a result of a decent dollop of highway driving during our week of testing. At the end of every straight lies a corner though, and while all the credentials are there, there’s no escaping the 2133kg of unladen weight.
Turn in is sharp and lively, it’s early-to-mid corner where some slight instability and disconnectedness sets in. Once the weight has shifted it’ll hold a line, but then AWD characteristic understeer pokes its ugly head, hampering power out on exit.
It’s not terrible, but when compared to the straight-line performance it simply doesn’t stack up. One can of course ponder all these complicated matters while sitting in what could only be described as an edgy but opulent cockpit.
Light Oyster semi-aniline leather adorns everything from the lovely heated and cooled front seats, to the door cards and the dash. The latter also features Alcantara and piano black highlights.
Overhead, an optional sliding panoramic sunroof further brightens what is already a very airy interior. The sculpted lightweight front seats are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also possess the perfect combination of comfort and sportiness.
The bolsters hold on just enough, with adequate thigh support and ample electronic adjustment. Often front seating with any level of sporting intention becomes an impediment for the rear seat passenger, but not here.
The beautifully quilted lining behind the SVR’s front seats is such a pleasant surprise. Rear occupants benefit from sculpted and heated outboard seats, air conditioning vents and USB-C ports to keep devices topped up.
Leg room is surprisingly good despite the size of those front chairs, and four could travel in comfort on a trip out to the wine country. You could also reap the rewards of a day of wine tasting, with ample storage in the luggage compartment for additions to the cellar.
In fact, the boot measures out to 793-litres, and features a cover and tie down points. With the rear row down, this expands to 1842-litres. All occupants can take in their favourite music through a Meridian 17-speaker sound system too.
Connectivity comes wirelessly for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but while the sound is clear and detailed, it’s oddly a little tinny and lacking in depth. It’s one of the few things that we deemed a let down in the SVR.
This leads to infotainment and vehicle controls, both of which are handled through a pleasing combination of buttons and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The screen itself is vibrant and responsive, and the operating system is visually appealing and intuitive.
A combination of haptic buttons and rotary dials control air conditioning, and at the pull of the outer ring allow access to seat heating and ventilation. A further rotary dial to the left of the central gearshift controls drive modes, under which one finds the fun buttons.
Among them is the exhaust valve and traction control. The driver holds a duotone split-rim leather steering wheel, which sits in front of an 11.4-inch curved screen. In concert with a head-up display, it provides the driver with all the requisite vehicle vitals.
The steering wheel itself is great, but some of the buttons on it are a little fiddly. Despite all its ferocity, the Jaguar F-PACE SVR is loaded up with a long list of safety tech, including airbags, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, a clear exit monitor and adaptive cruise.
With Jaguar claiming their entire range will be electrified by 2025, sadly, time is ticking on vehicles like the SVR. The model tested here has already been superseded by a final Edition 1988 variant, which offers a truly unique bespoke vehicle (with launch control).
This last bastion will be one to experience, so if you can take one for a drive, do so. But be prepared to fall hopelessly head-over-heels for it. The 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR retails for $165,180 plus on roads (as tested) and comes with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
You can find out more on the Jaguar Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Jaguar Land Rover Australia for independent review purposes.
