Used 2020 Jaguar F-TYPE

The 2020 Jaguar F-Type is a thoroughly modern sports car with a pedigree. Available in both coupe and convertible forms, the F-Type dances between a past era of gorgeous machines like the Jaguar E-Type (let’s not forget the Le Mans-winning D-Type either) and a present reality of high technology and high power. The F-Type range spans from a 296-horsepower fun ride to a phenomenal 575-horsepower autobahn blaster. And in each variant, the handling talent is on a par with the best the class has to offer. Rivals might include the Porsche 718 Boxster (kicking off with 300 horsepower) as well as the Porsche 911 Turbo (enjoying 540 horsepower). The convertible doesn’t have a folding hardtop, which is less secure, but we’re happy without the weight such an arrangement would entail. As well as the hint of romance a soft-top brings.

Electric steering. Stay with us. Many other companies haven’t quite grasped how to make this system provide the kind of feel and heft that enthusiasts prefer. Jaguar has. And since the F-Type is the company’s most driver-centric model, it’s appropriate to have steering that’s more informative than, say, a luxury sedan. Jaguar has also pulled off the neat trick of tuning a suspension for poise and precision, yet can still absorb the lumps and bumps of roads less maintained. We’ve driven the F-Type on roads and on tracks, and the handling really is world-class.

The F-Type’s aural dimension, meanwhile, grows in awesomeness from the nice-enough 4-cylinder engine to the mischievous supercharged V6 to the wild supercharged V8 (see our Favorite Features below). Standstill-to-60-mph acceleration times run from a respectable 5.4 seconds to a “next stop, the moon” 3.5 seconds.

No gripes with the quality of the cabin materials, or the standard-issue 10-inch infotainment display. It’s just that the interior design of the Jaguar F-Type can’t match the car’s attractive exterior. And the aforementioned coziness is caused partly by a wide center console that encroaches on foot-well space. It’s time to install something like Audi’s Virtual Cockpit that can dispense with a lot of switchgear and put all the necessary information right in front of the driver. The coupe’s trunk space measures 14.4 cubic feet; a couple of golf bags should fit. The convertible’s luggage area is only 7.3 cubic feet.

It’s amazing how much mileage (pardon the pun) there is in the classic long-nose/low-cabin/short-tail profile found with many sports cars. The Jaguar F-Type takes that approach, but makes it special and specific. The coupe’s tight rear window gives the impression of the rear fenders flaring even more than they do, while the convertible manages to remain elegant with the top up or down. As a complement to the engine’s performance, the SVR model brings a more detailed aerodynamic treatment for greater downforce.

THOSE LOOKS
Whether it’s the entry-level version or the fiercest, the styling is pretty much the same, for which we give thanks. It’s not easy making a car look clearly like a Jaguar even without the badges, yet also make it contemporary. The 2020 F-Type’s voluptuous lines and shapes work their undeniable magic.

ACTIVE SPORTS EXHAUST
There’s no bump in horsepower through better breathing, but just pressing a button in the center console opens a baffle. So F-Type drivers can be polite through town and operatic in the mountains, especially going through tunnels. The V8 engines also make fabulous pops and crackles on the over-run.

In coupe or convertible guise, the entry-level 2020 F-Type 4-cylinder has LED headlights/taillights, 12-way power-adjustable leather/suede/cloth seats with memory, single-zone climate control, active exhaust system, 10-inch infotainment touch screen, navigation, smartphone integration, and an excellent 380-watt Meridian sound system with AM/FM/HD/satellite radio, CD player, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. Standard driver aids include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive speed limiter, road-sign recognition, driver-attention monitor, front/rear parking sensors, and a brake-based torque-vectoring system for greater cornering abilities. The F-Type also comes with EliteCare, which includes five years/60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance.

Among the many choices offered by the 2020 F-Type are V6 and V8 engines (both offering two outputs), all-wheel drive, convertible body style (with a choice of fabric roof colors), leather upholstery, carbon-ceramic brakes (expensive, but great on the track), heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, heated windshield, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Propulsion for the 2020 F-Type begins with the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 296 horsepower, found in P300 versions. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the only setup with this engine. P340 models have a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 developing 340 horsepower. The same engine in the P380/R-Dynamic generates, unsurprisingly, 380 horsepower. It’s at this level where all-wheel drive (AWD) becomes an option. However, all four wheels are driven when there’s a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in the mix. The F-Type R has a 550-horsepower output, and the extreme SVR rolls with 575 horsepower. Each engine has a fuel-saving stop/start feature that can be disabled if drivers find it too intrusive. Speaking of fuel, Jaguar recommends premium gasoline. An 8-speed automatic is the sole transmission.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (F-Type)
296 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6 (F-Type)
340 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
332 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6 (R-Dynamic)
380 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
339 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (RWD), 18/26 mpg (AWD)

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (R)
550 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
502 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23 mpg

5.0-liter supercharged V8 (SVR)
575 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg