For those of us who appreciate the zippy performance of a hot hatch, the combination of practicality and exhilarating speed is undeniably appealing. There’s a certain charm in the nimble handling and responsive engine that makes everyday driving exciting. While a Mazda3 hatchback might have been the perfect ride in your younger days, life often leads us towards something a bit more refined and spacious as we mature. This is where the allure of a luxury SUV begins to take hold.
But what if that inner hot hatch enthusiast still yearns for that thrilling driving experience, even within the confines of a “responsible adult” vehicle? This is precisely the niche that performance SUVs are designed to fill, and virtually every luxury automaker now offers their own rendition. Among these impressive contenders, the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR stands out as a particularly compelling option. It’s a vehicle that manages to inject a significant dose of adrenaline into the typically composed luxury SUV segment.
The standard Jaguar F-Pace is already a sophisticated luxury SUV, but the SVR variant elevates it to a whole new level. The transformation begins under the hood, where a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine unleashing 550 horsepower resides. This potent powerplant is just the start. Jaguar’s engineers have amplified the F-Pace’s visual appeal with audacious styling cues, including imposing 22-inch wheels, aggressively sculpted front and rear bumpers, assertive side skirts, and a performance-tuned chassis. This upgraded chassis incorporates massive 15-inch disc brakes, ensuring stopping power that matches the vehicle’s blistering acceleration. The result is a metamorphosis of the composed F-Pace into a boisterous family vehicle that embodies the spirit of a hot hatch.
The 2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is more than capable of winning its share of stoplight sprints, and even if outright victory isn’t always the outcome, the sheer exhilaration is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. This is largely thanks to the glorious SVR active exhaust system, complete with a button that amplifies the exhaust note to an even more thrilling level. For true enthusiasts, this button should arguably be permanently set to the “ON” position to fully appreciate the auditory symphony.
It’s worth noting that the sport-tuned suspension of the SVR prioritizes performance handling over plush comfort, particularly on less-than-perfect road surfaces riddled with potholes. However, for those considering investing upwards of $90,000 in a high-performance luxury SUV boasting over 500 horsepower, a slightly firmer ride is unlikely to be a significant deterrent. If ultimate comfort is the primary concern, the SVR designation is best avoided.
While brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, and even Volvo offer their own compelling performance SUV variants, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR possesses a distinct character that sets it apart. There’s an undeniable memorability to the Jag, an intangible quality that elevates it beyond its rivals. Perhaps it’s the shared DNA with the remarkable F-Type sports car, from which the quad exhaust pipes and the potent engine are borrowed. In essence, the 2022 F-Pace SVR can be considered a four-door embodiment of that iconic sports car.
If the F-Type represents a classic midlife-crisis indulgence, the 2022 F-Pace SVR is the choice for those who have embraced their age but refuse to relinquish their youthful spirit. It’s the ideal SUV for those who secretly yearn for a gloriously impractical sports coupe but still require the everyday functionality to handle grocery runs, luggage, and accommodate passengers.
Stepping inside the F-Pace SVR reveals an interior that lives up to the high standards associated with Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. While Jaguar has sometimes been overshadowed by Land Rover’s resurgence with models like the new Defender, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport, the F-Pace has benefited from this overall brand elevation.
The centerpiece of the dashboard is a stunning 11-inch touchscreen that houses JLR’s Pivi Pro infotainment system. This system offers seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it boasts particularly impressive visual clarity when running CarPlay. The large, knurled chrome knobs for temperature adjustments are a tactile delight, although the combined press-and-turn operation for activating heated and ventilated seats can be slightly unintuitive at first.
This somewhat convoluted control layout might lead some to initially overlook the heated seat function entirely, as the indicators are quite subtle. Ideally, seat heating controls should be more prominent and easily accessible. However, in the grand scheme of automotive interior control quirks, this is a minor imperfection and certainly not a deal-breaker.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is its relative exclusivity. Unlike BMW and Mercedes SUVs, which are ubiquitous in affluent areas, the F-Pace SVR remains a rarer sight. While Jaguar’s reputation for long-term reliability has been questioned in the past, it’s unlikely to be a primary concern for buyers in this segment, as many are unlikely to keep the vehicle for 150,000 miles.
In conclusion, the SVR badge, signifying Special Vehicle Rating, delivers precisely what it promises. It takes a refined luxury SUV and infuses it with excitement, power, a captivating exhaust note, and a generous dose of hot hatch DNA. For those seeking a performance SUV that stands out from the crowd and delivers a thrilling driving experience, the 2022 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is an undeniably compelling proposition. Who could resist such a tempting blend of practicality and performance?
