2020 Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar’s F-Pace aims for buyers who want something European and upmarket but aren’t keen to follow the herd into a BMW or Mercedes-Benz dealership. South Africans looking for an alternative to the usual suspects—the Macan, X3, and GLC—will find the F-Pace brings some individuality, at least. Engine choices cover the bases, from diesel four-pots up to the mad 5.0-litre V8 SVR, all with automatics. But if you’re shopping used, don’t expect to find dozens waiting for you. Only four are actively listed, with prices stretching from R349,900 to R698,888 and a median hovering at R464,900. Every one is second-hand, which says a lot about Jaguar’s new-car presence in SA: it’s vanished. There’s a sharp climb from the diesel R-Sport models up to that V8 SVR, and that matters. Listings span 2017 to 2020 and you’re looking at average mileages near 93,000 km, so you’ll want to set aside cash for a thorough inspection before you sign anything. What really sets the F-Pace apart is the feel of the cabin—Jaguar’s 2017-era interiors have a tactile, old-school charm—and the fact you won’t see one on every corner in Joburg or Cape Town. Diesel variants keep ownership costs in check for a luxury SUV, and if you pack smart, the R-Sport spec delivers most of the features you actually want for the money asked. On paper at least, the value is there.