Very positive first drive of the "S" Prestige this weekend at Jaguar of Cerritos CA. The no-pressure sales staff there could not have been more obliging.

* 380HP V6 SC feels and sounds like throaty V8!
* Steering feels very light but precise
* Stop/Start feature almost imperceptible.
* Very nimble and sporty, not too soft and not too firm (perfectly 'al dente' haha)
* Comfortable seats but leather could be softer, hard plastic on doors
* Too much wasted space around the transmission puck.

Afterwards I test drove a '14 XK Vert (380HP 5.0 V8) and that car felt heavy and sluggish by comparison. Surprisingly, I drove a '07 XKR (4.2 V8 SC) the other day and it matched the F-Pace's ride and handling almost exactly.

I wanted to also test a F-Type Coupe but no time. Overall it was great fun!

 

"* Too much wasted space around the transmission puck."

I absolutely agree , I love how the car drives but I hate that at the drivers reach there's not that much storage or places to put things. I mean I drive an f-type now and i still felt like that when i test drove the f-pace. gorgeous car though