Jaguar F-Type Coupe review

Heritage is a double-edged sword. While the Jaguar F-Type Coupé can be proud of its lineage, the grace, space and pace of its forebears mean it has a lot to live up to.

That’s especially true when its very name is so similar to that of the legendary Jaguar E-Type, which, remember, didn’t have anywhere near as many rivals on the road.

The entry-level F-Type competes with the Alpine A110, Porsche 718 Cayman and Toyota Supra, while the range-topping F-Type R is up against the mighty Audi R8 and the Porsche 911, 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 span the gulf between sports car and supercar, ably assisted by its soft-top sister, the F-Type Convertible. It's armed for the mission with a varied line-up of engines, ranging from a 296bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder to a 567bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 (which emits a bloodcurdling battle cry when provoked). 

Whichever engine you pick, it remains a strict two-seater. 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 take on all comers confidently, 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 favourites, and why.

Already imagining an 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.