With their power of bringing in precious revenue, rare are manufacturers that do not offer SUVs in their line-up. And even rarer are sports car manufacturers that have not entered the race to create the latest, fastest and most powerful performance SUV. Over the past few years, this sports SUV frenzy has only intensified and from performance figures to pricing, it has become harder for manufacturers to offer a model that stands out from the competition, leaving customers with all too similar SUV choices.
That’s where Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operation (SVO) comes in. Jaguar’s special division focuses on delivering the very best of performance and luxury from the British manufacturer. And here, we’re looking at this division’s take on Jaguar’s flagship SUV: the F-Pace SVR. It is louder, more powerful and sportier looking inside out. And unlike all of the other twin-turbo V8s, this one hides a supercharged V8 underneath its bonnet. As for this specific F-Pace SVR, it is a Japan exclusive model limited to a total of 20 models, but more on that later. From an outstanding performance to an interior fully equipped with all the creature comforts, here is what makes the F-Pace SVR a solid choice amongst the sea of performance SUVs we’re all trying to navigate through.
2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR
- Supercharged V8
- Sleek and sporty interior
- Aggressive looks
- 1 of 5 Japan SV Edition in beautiful Avocado colour
- Trim: SVR Japan SV Edition
- Model: F-Pace
- Engine/Motor: 5.0L supercharged V8
- Horsepower: 550 PS
- Torque: 516 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- MSRP: $125,500
- Sounds amazing
- Incredible performance: fast, sharp, grippy, almost no body roll
- Beautiful and easy to use infotainment screen
- Comfortable and sporty bucket seats
- Incredibly quiet inside while filtering in exhaust sounds
- Low fuel efficiency
How The SVR Stands Out From The Standard F-Pace
The F-Pace benefitted from an aggressive facelift in 2021, and the SVR takes it a step further with an even more intimidating and aerodynamic fascia. There’s a lot happening at the front and the SVR’s revised front bumper hosts a larger, lower grille and enlarged lower side vents, which allow for more air intake, increased airflow and increased brake cooling. Behind the wheel arches, you can find a dramatic and sporty looking vent that reduces the air pressure inside the wheel arch. The SVR has two bonnet vents to improve cooling and airflow. Jaguar also added notable changes at the back with the quad exhaust pipes and two blade-like rear lights that help accentuate the SVR’s more aggressive silhouette.
While increasing its performance, these new design elements add greatly to the car’s silhouette. Jaguar emphasized the SVR’s lower and wider stance, making it –according to us– one of the best looking performance SUVs in the current market. And to make it stand out from the standard F-Pace, you can of course find the SVR badge both at the front and rear of the car. To complete the look, the SVR comes with 22” gloss and satin, 5 split-spoke wheels.
With such a unique color, you might have already guessed that this isn’t your average F-Pace SVR. Painted in a pistachio-like color named “Avocado,” this specific SVR model is one of the 20 exclusive Japan SV Edition, with only five models per shade (the other 3 paints being Chalk Blue, SV Grey and Forest Green). The solid, light green Avocado paint looks incredible from any angle, and needless to say that it attracts a lot of looks wherever you go.
The F-Pace SVR Has A Sleek Interior Where You’ll Want To Stay For Hours
Over the past few years, Jaguar has put tremendous effort into modernizing their interiors. This very much applies to the SVR’s interior, which stays overall close to the standard F-Pace’s configuration. The SVR cabin keeps things minimal, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
As you open the door and take a seat, you instantly notice the massive 11.4" touch screen (the equivalent of an Apple tablet) that you’d normally expect to see in an EV. The clean design is easy to navigate through, with main features such as navigation, music and car settings accessible from a single finger tap. As for climate control buttons, you’ll be happy to learn that Jaguar kept physical buttons right beneath the screen. There is even a fancy, animated ambient lighting feature, with gradually changing colors. When it comes to sound, the SVR comes with a Meridian sound system that you get to enjoy in the quiet, insulated cabin.
The highlight of the SVR interior is of course its gorgeous electric bucket seats, stamped with the SVR logo. With less padding and a sportier feel than those in the standard model, not only are they comfortable for longer drives, they also do their job just as well when it comes to holding you in place when you put your foot down. Passengers at the back also benefit from a comfortable and spacious seating space. Add to that a 21.6 cubic feet (613 L) trunk space and there is nothing left to complain about.
Thrilling Performance With A Glorious Sounding Supercharged V8
The F-Pace SVR’s piece de resistance is without a doubt its supercharged V8 engine; a rarity amidst a vast majority of twin-turbo engines dominating the current performance SUV market. The 5L supercharged V8 delivers 550 PS and 516 lb-ft of torque and will go from 0 to 60 in 3.8s. Though these numbers are pretty standard figures amongst the competition, the SVR’s supercharger makes a real difference in its responsiveness. Since the supercharger runs on engine power, it allows for a wider rev range and power delivery is instant since there is no turbo lag.
Unlike in previous versions of the SVR where maximum torque was only achievable in higher gears, here you can get the full 516 lb-ft at any gear thanks to the torque converter they’ve taken from the Jaguar Project 8. As you play with the paddle shifters, you get to enjoy each gear’s potential to the fullest, making it incredibly fun when entering and exiting corners on twisty mountain roads. And even with its 1,670mm height, its center of mass remains low, so there is minimal body roll even when taking sharp turns, making the car feel balanced at all times. You’ll be constantly enjoying how sharp and precise the F-Pace SVR is. It sticks to the road and follows exactly where you tell it to go thanks to its responsive steering. Add to that its AWD drivetrain where 90% of the power goes to the rear in sport mode and the SVR delivers an outstanding overall performance.
To complete this performance, there’s the SVR’s sound. Every time you downshift or accelerate, you can hear the SVR’s distinct grunt, which adds to the SUV’s already addictive performance. Such loud and distinct exhaust sounds are rare to find in this highly regulated market, making the SVR one of the best sounding sports SUVs at the moment. And don’t worry, you can still beautifully hear the V8 roaring from the inside.
On the daily, the F-Pace SVR behaves with great civility. Once you go back to Jaguar’s Comfort mode, everything feels much softer and dampened. Jaguar’s road noise cancelation tech helps you relax and enjoy your drive, as it is noticeably quiet on the highway. The SVR is effortless to drive, its suspension offers a comfortable ride making it as good a cruiser as it is a sports SUV. But as a supercharged V8, don’t expect wonders when it comes to fuel efficiency.
Why Look Elsewhere When You Can Buy The SVR?
There’s a lot to love about the Jaguar F-Pace SVR and with all of the upgrades it received in 2021 such as its aggressive fascia and its sleek interior, the SVR looks better than ever. On the performance front, it’s hard to find anything to criticize about the precise and grippy Jaguar with its responsive and glorious sounding engine. And that’s the thing about this F-Pace SVR. It may at first look like your average sports SUV. But, everywhere you look, Jaguar does things slightly differently.
The F-Pace SVR offers a different size alternative that other SUV manufacturers may not always have in their lineup. For comparison, the SVR is smaller than the Mercedes-Benz GLE, but still bigger than the GLC, and other competing performance SUVs tend to either be slightly wider, taller or longer. Yet, the SVR offers matching performance figures, if not even more appealing numbers.
An interesting comparison case is the Aston Martin DBX. With the exact same horsepower and torque outputs, the SVR still remains at a higher advantage thanks to its supercharged V8 and its 0.5 seconds faster 0-62 mph.
When it comes to its price point, the SVR shows off appealing numbers once again. Priced at ¥16,460,000 ($125,500) for this special edition here in Japan, the F-Pace SVR sure is an expensive car. But when compared to others, the F-Pace SVR is a real steal. Note that this special edition comes with pretty much all of the options you could possibly want on your SVR. If you decide to look at the German side of things, you will be paying ¥18,970,000 ($145,000) for your BMW X5M before options. And if you take a closer look at a base model DBX price tag, you’ll notice that for a hefty ¥23,000,000 ($175,000), you don’t get that much more for your money.
Here’s Why You’ll Pick The Jaguar F-Pace SVR Over The Others
In the end, what is so pleasing about being in Jaguar’s F-Pace SVR is that this performance SUV is no afterthought. With its brilliant supercharged V8, this SUV feels very much like a car built with the solid intent of delivering thrilling driving sensations to its customers. Too often, performance SUVs come to life with the objective of bringing revenue numbers up and qualities such as defining performance and luxurious interiors often end up lacking. So, if you thought your performance SUV choice would only revolve around fast Germans, think again: Jaguar’s F-Pace SVR might be the way to go. And should we also add that, Jaguar’s supercharged V8 will likely not be around for so long, so this might be your chance.