Jaguar, way back when, was known for its beautifully designed sports cars and sedans. Many in the automotive world believe that the 1960s Jaguar XKE sports car was the best-looking car ever made. Of course, Jaguar also had several attractive sedans. But like the rest of the automotive world, a SUV had to be introduced to stay competitive in the luxury market. And with the F-Pace SUV, Jaguar covers several bases with distinctive sub models. The main difference between these various models are the powerplants ... four, six, eight cylinder, and electric engine choices.

Not surprisingly, the 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which develops 550 horsepower, comes in the top-of-the-line SVR sub model. And besides the power front, the SVR adds more luxury features, and a more dynamic handling and ride. Of course, like the rest of the world, an automatic transmission with 8 speeds handles the gear shifts. Power is handled with an all-wheel drive system, and our test SUV had the optional 22-inch, five-spoke wheels. Needless to say, power is immediately available with a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph.

The exterior styling says both SUV and Jaguar at the same time. The rounded rectangle grille in Jaguar tradition is up front, and it is below some long and narrow headlights. The height is not super high, and the rear end has a large spoiler above the rear window. Several Honolulu residents commented favorably on the overall look.

On the road, the engine operates in silence except when pushed when a deep exhaust note occurs with the help of the four large rear exhaust pipes. For the most part, shifts by the transmission are not felt, but like many these days, large metal handles behind the steering wheel can manually shift the gears, if desired. And with very large wheels and tires, cornering is sports-car-like. The overall ride is very interesting, and a good mix of rigorous and comfortable. With use of some video controls, the ride and other dynamics can be changed. But even pothole-filled streets are taken in relative calmness. A number of safety features, including lane keep-assist, driver condition monitor, and adaptive cruise control, are part of the package.

When approaching the SUV with the key fob, the side mirrors salute you by opening. The front seats are a mix of leather and cloth and hold you in place with a fair amount of comfort. The dash pod has electronic gauges
for the tachometer and speedometer. An easy-to-use automatic climate system is provided. But much more interesting and useful is the 11.4-inch screen in the center of the dash. Unlike others in the automotive world, it is extremely easy to use with many functions. The most useful is the outside camera system. Besides the somewhat standard rear view when backing up and a 360-degree view around the SUV, there is a 3-D view. When this is activated, the F-Pace is shown on the road with other cars around it with the F-Pace wheels spinning around when moving.

Rear seating for three passengers is nicely laid out. The large headrests help with comfort, but somewhat obstruct the rear-view mirror view out the back window. An armrest with cupholders is easily dropped, and the climate in the rear compartment is handled with air vents behind the center console. The power liftgate can be opened with a push of a button on the fob or a button on the back of it. And you can push another button on the bottom of the liftgate to close it. The rear area behind the second row of seats is nicely lined with carpet and is reasonably large. But if more storage is needed, the 40/20/40 split rear seat backs are dropped easily.

Ultimately, Jaguar has produced a good-looking SUV with many choices of power and price. But for those who want real performance, the SVR would be the choice.

HIGHLIGHTS

MODEL // Jaguar F-Pace SVR, 4-door SUV.

POWERTRAIN // 5.0-liter supercharged, V8, 550 horsepower, 8-speed automatic transmission.

FUEL MILEAGE // Highway 21 mpg, city 15 mpg, average 17 mpg.

PRICE // $106,891 as tested