Jaguar F-Pace Portfolio review

The Jaguar F-Pace Portfolio sits above the entry-level Prestige alongside the sportier R-Sport and S models. It’s the most luxurious version of the F-Pace readily available, thanks to a lengthy and impressive kit list. While Jaguar may have positioned the F-Pace as one of the best sporty SUVs, the Portfolio trim level shows that the F-Pace can do elegance just as well.

The F-Pace was the company’s first go at an SUV, and its strong reception led to the introduction of the Jaguar E-Pace and electric I-Pace. Borrowing a lot of the mechanicals from sister company Land Rover, the F-Pace can manage rough terrain, even if it excels on the road. You might also consider the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 or Mercedes GLE.

Portfolio models come with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, but you can opt for wheels up to 22 inches in diameter if you wish. Bright white xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and headlight washers are all fitted, plus you’ll also get a heated windscreen and a fixed panoramic sunroof. Inside, the Portfolio model features electrically adjustable heated Windsor leather seats, a Meridian sound system, keyless entry and etched aluminium inserts. This is in addition to the Touch Pro and Navigation Pro systems, front fog lights and illuminated treadplates carried over from the Prestige model.

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Unfortunately, even this luxurious F-Pace doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so you have to use the Touch Pro system. While it’s not too bad, it’s not as new as infotainment systems from Audi and BMW and it shows, lacking the speed and slickness.

Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of four diesel and three petrol engines. All are 2.0-litres in size except the thirsty 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine. The diesel engines offer between 161bhp and 238bhp, while the petrols come in 247bhp and 296bhp forms. We tested the diesel model with the lowest power output, which manages 44.3mpg, and found that it felt a bit too leisurely and underpowered. The higher-powered diesels offer better performance without compromising too much on fuel costs, and the petrol models are very refined provided you can stomach the more expensive running costs.

The F-Pace’s boot is more than large enough for most people’s needs. Even before you flip the rear seats down, there’s up to 650 litres of space. With just the front two seats in position, you’ll have as much as 1,760 litres to fill. However, fitting a full-size spare wheel will reduce the boot capacity by almost 200 litres, so it’s worth asking yourself if you can survive with a tyre repair kit or a space-saving spare wheel.

Verdict - 4/5

The F-Pace may be known as a sporty SUV, but the Portfolio trim adds a welcome touch of luxury too. It shows that Jaguar’s SUV can be just as plush as its rivals and should be considered if you’re in the market for a car of this price. The £4,000-£5,000 jump over entry-level Prestige models won’t put off too many buyers, and rightly so - this is a car that’s practical, refined and equipped with plenty of kit.