Jaguar F-Type Coupe review

Heritage is a double-edged sword. While the Jaguar F-Type Coupé can be rightly proud of its lineage, to live up to the eminence of its illustrious forebears is no easy feat.

That’s especially the case when its very name is just one letter removed from the legendary Jaguar E-Type of the 1960s; a car that didn’t have anything like as many rivals as its 21st century descendent. The entry-level F-Type competes with the Porsche 718 Cayman and Alpine A110, while the range-topping F-Type R is up against the mighty Porsche 911 and Audi R8, as well as grand tourers such as the BMW 8 Series.

In order to see off this veritable battalion of adversaries, the F-Type has to pretty much form a one-car army to span the gulf between sports car and supercar, ably assisted by its soft-top sister, the F-Type Convertible. Its mission is made possible by a diverse list of engines, ranging from a 296bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder to a 567bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8, which emits a blood-curdling battle-cry when provoked. 

Keeping things up-to-date, a refresh in 2017 was followed by another in 2020 to reinvigorate its styling, add some tech inside and tweak the engine lineup. It remains a strict two-seater, though – you’ll need a BMW 8 Series or Porsche 911 to match the F-Type’s performance while carrying more than one passenger.

So, can the F-Type confidently take on all comers, or do rivals leave it bruised and bloodied? Read on and we’ll tell you exactly how it drives, what it’s like for passengers and how much it’ll cost you to run. We’ll also explain which engines are our favourite, and why. 

Already imagining a F-Type on your drive? The next step is to visit our New Car Buying pages to find out just how much you could save, without any tedious haggling.