Jaguar's charismatic two-seater, the F-Type offers undiluted sports car performance and intriguing styling inside and out. Once you witness its track-worthy moves and sheer presence, the F-Type may seem like it should cost more than it really does.
What's New for 2017
The base F-Type gets less equipment this year and a $3,600 price cut. A new SVR model takes performance to an even higher level.
Choosing Your Jaguar F-Type
Available as a two-passenger coupe or soft-top convertible, the F-Type starts out with a supercharged 3-liter V6 that delivers 340 horsepower to the rear wheels. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, and you can opt for an eight-speed automatic. The next step up is a 380-horsepower version of the V6, which can be paired with all-wheel drive on automatic-equipped models.
For maximum performance, Jaguar offers a supercharged 5-liter V8 that achieves 550 or 575 horsepower depending on the trim level. All-wheel drive and the automatic transmission come standard with the V8. So equipped, the F-Type can go from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds.
Both the coupe and convertible are available in six trim levels:
Base: Carries the 340-horsepower V6, plus navigation, power-folding mirrors, a power driver seat, automatic wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a 12-speaker Meridian sound system with HD and satellite radio. Seats are clad in faux suede mixed with leather. The sole option package for the base model is the Climate Pack with heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Premium: Adds keyless ignition, adaptive headlamps with automatic high beams, and 14-way power sport seats with driver memory. The roof features a fixed glass panel, and an active sport exhaust system is optional on automatic-equipped cars. Also available is an extended all-leather interior or one finished only in the sueded material. For enhanced safety and convenience, there's a Premium + Vision package with features like a rearview camera, parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, a power liftgate (or wind deflector), and the contents of the Climate Pack.
S: Gets the 380-horsepower version of the V6, 19-inch wheels, and an adaptive suspension system. Other performance upgrades include larger front brakes, a limited-slip differential, and selectable driving modes. The interior receives a flat-bottom heated steering wheel and multicolor ambient lighting. The Premium + Vision Package continues as an option.
British Design Edition: Equipped like the S, but with the automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard. You also get a specific leather interior, unique trim throughout, and 20-inch wheels.
R: Boosts performance with the 550-horsepower V8 engine, larger rear brakes (with red-painted calipers all around), an electronic active differential with torque vectoring, quad exhausts, and standard 20-inch wheels. The optional Vision Pack adds front parking sensors, a rearview camera, and blind spot monitoring. All the other comfort and convenience items available on the lower trims come standard on the R.
SVR: Builds on the S with a 575-horsepower version of the V8, plus an upgraded suspension, aerodynamic body components, and a lightweight titanium exhaust system. The SVR is capable of hitting 200 mph.
All except the base trim are eligible for a heated windshield and a carbon fiber roof (coupes only). The S and above can get carbon-ceramic brakes paired with 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
Selecting the convertible body style adds $3,000-$4,000 to each trim level, which we consider a bargain in a car like this. If you're the road-tripping type, we recommend going with the Prestige (or base model if the equipment limitations don't bother you). The ride on the S and above is simply too firm for the long haul.