2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Test Drive Review: Style, Substance, And Big Grins
How do you go about refreshing a sports car with a design as iconic as that of the Jaguar F-Type? It’s a refresh year for the F-Type after it was first introduced to us for 2014, and the British firm’s designers have taken to the task with vigor. The F-Type was already a beautiful car, recalling all the right lines from the iconic E-Type and blending them with Ian Callum’s particular brand of finesse, but for 2021, the sports car has become even sharper. A larger grille and slimmer headlights add to a new smoother and more powerful look to go with the extra upgrade in muscle lurking under the new hood. With the SVR model gone, for now, the R-badged F-Type becomes the performance headliner of the range. The supercharged V8 from the SVR now resides in the engine bay and gives the F-Type R 567 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, matching the former highest spec F-Type model. Add a revised interior and new technology, and the F-Type R aims to be the full package and the purest example of what Jaguar stands for in the automotive industry. But standing in its way are established nameplates like the Porsche 911 and even the likes of the new Ferrari Roma.
2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Changes: 🚙What’s the difference vs 2020 F-Type R Coupe?
For the 2021 model year, the F-Type R Coupe has received a visual nip and tuck. The changes include slimmer headlight clusters with integrated J daytime running lights. Above these is a new hood, while the grille is larger than before. Other enhancements include new wheels plus revised LED taillights. Inside, the cabin gains a new 12.3-inch reconfigurable digital driver’s display, while Jaguar has refined the availability of interior materials. As the previous SVR model has been discontinued, the 2021 F-Type R now benefits from that car’s powerful supercharged V8 engine which makes 567 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, which represent improvements of 25 hp and 14 lb-ft compared to the outgoing R model. Complementing the increase in performance are updated springs and anti-roll bars along with recalibrated steering. Finally, the F-Type Heritage 60 Edition – based on the F-Type R – will be sold in extremely limited numbers to celebrate the anniversary of the E-Type. Only 60 units will be made for the global market.
Pros and Cons
- Somehow even more beautiful than before
- Same performance as discontinued SVR for less money
- Evocative-sounding V8
- Quick, communicative steering
- Sporty, plush cabin
- New digital driver’s display works well
- Cramped interior
- Imperfect infotainment system
- Ride can be jarring
- Can’t match the 911’s breadth of talents
Best Deals on 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Trims
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R Coupe |
5.0L Supercharged V8 Gas |
8-Speed Automatic |
All-Wheel Drive |
$103,200 |
F-Type R Coupe Exterior
If Jaguar left the F-Type R completely unchanged, few would have complained. Still, the exterior has received a refresh that adds even more allure to an already stunning coupe. In front, the new slender LED headlights include ‘Calligraphy’ signature J daytime running lights, while there is a new clamshell hood. A bigger grille endows the coupe with more presence than before. At the back, the LED light clusters have their own new ‘Chicane’ light graphic. Setting apart the R are strakes that are said to lower drag. This version comes with 20-inch wheels, quad exhaust outlets, and flush exterior door handles. A fixed panoramic roof is available as an option.
See All 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Exterior Photos
Dimensions
The F-Type R is shorter in length but wider than a Porsche 911. Its dimensions include a 103.2-inch wheelbase concealed in a body that is 176 inches long. With the mirrors extended, the width is 80.4 inches, but the body width without the mirrors is 75.2 inches. Finally, the coupe’s height works out to 51.6 inches. Typically for a sporty coupe, the ground clearance is minimal at just 4.2 inches. The curb weight is 3,843 pounds, which is over 500 lbs more than a base Porsche 911 Carrera.
-
Length
176.0 in -
Wheelbase
103.2 in -
Height
51.6 in -
Max Width
74.2 in -
Front Width
62.4 in -
Rear Width
64.1 in
Exterior Colors
Jaguar’s color palette is generous, to say the least, and prospective buyers shouldn’t have a problem finding a shade to cater to their tastes. The only two no-cost colors are Fuji White and Caldera Red. Following this are eight metallics at a cost of $710 each; these include Santorini Black, Bluefire Blue, British Racing Green, and Portofino Blue. The next tier is composed of two premium metallic colors – Carpathian Grey and Silicon Silver – that go for $1,550. Things get considerably pricier from here, with the SVO premium palette comprising 14 colors at a hefty cost of $4,550 each. However, this provides access to more vibrant hues like Atacama Orange, Sorrento Yellow, Velocity Blue, and Petrolix Blue. A Satin Matte finish can be selected for some of these colors, adding a further $2,860 to the car’s price. Finally, there is one “special effect” color called Icy White that costs $9,180; the same optional Satin Matte finish is available at an extra $2,860.
-
Santorini Black Metallic
-
Yulong White Metallic
-
British Racing Green Metallic
-
Eiger Grey Metallic
-
Indus Silver Metallic
-
Firenze Red Metallic
-
Portofino Blue Metallic
-
Bluefire Blue Metallic
-
Carpathian Grey Premium Metallic
-
Silicon Silver Premium Metallic
-
Icy White Gloss, SVO Paint
-
Ionian Silver Gloss, SVO Paint
-
Amethyst Grey-Purple Gloss, SVO Paint
-
Desire Deep Red Gloss, SVO Paint
-
Petrolix Blue Gloss, SVO Paint
F-Type R Coupe Performance
The F-Type R effectively takes over from last year’s SVR to become the most powerful variant in the lineup. Its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine produces a mighty 567 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, last year’s F-Type R managed 550 hp and 502 lb-ft. As before, power goes to all four corners and the V8 only comes with an eight-speed automatic. Performance is exceptional, with the 0 to 60 mph run taking just 3.5 seconds before a top speed of 186 mph is reached. Passing power is similarly brutal, with 50-75 mph over in just 2.3 seconds, a full second quicker than the V6-powered F-Type. While the F-Type R is quicker than the base Porsche 911 Carrera, the 911 still accomplishes a similar level of performance with far less power; for instance, the Carrera S makes over 100 hp less than the Jag but is just as quick to 60 mph with its PDK gearbox. It’s hard to top the acoustic appeal of the Jag’s supercharged V8, though.
Engine and Transmission
As before, a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine provides the F-Type R Coupe with a stirring soundtrack and plenty of performance. This year, outputs have increased to 567 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, matching the numbers posted by the outgoing SVR. The engine is exclusively paired with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, with power going to all four corners. Whether changing gears in fully automatic mode or switching through the ratios manually using the steering-mounted paddles, the gearbox is a smooth and effective partner for the V8. The coupe’s hefty weight doesn’t prevent it from feeling massively quick in town or when overtaking at higher speeds. Regardless of the driving environment, the Jag turns every trip into a memorable one.
-
Engine
5.0L Supercharged V8 Gas
-
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
-
Handling and Driving Impressions
Once you can yank your brain from the distraction of the F-Type R’s intoxicating burble, growl, and then booming howl as it goes from idle to wild acceleration, you can appreciate the rest of the car. It’s not just the engine that has been pulled from the SVR, as some lessons learned have made the transition as well. An update in the rear suspension and a reworked electronic rear differential keeps the rear even more planted, helping the all-wheel-drive system become more effective in corners despite bias being directed more to the rear wheels now. The electronic steering has been recalibrated and brings some of the feeling we complained was missing from the pre-facelift version.
The result of all that work is a car that eats up back roads with a swagger previously missing from the hefty V8 model. With R Dynamic mode engaged, it’s an exhilarating massage of all the senses and can terrify an unprepared passenger with ease. The adaptive suspension stiffens, the throttle pedal becomes more sensitive, and the human behind the wheel engages Grin Mode. Come out of the wilderness and into the city, close the exhaust baffles so as not to annoy or scare pedestrians, and you find the F-Type’s second home. The suspension is supple, the steering is light and airy, and it’s fun to hustle around town. It’s still an aggressive sports car, but it’s also a satisfying commuter car for the well-heeled.
F-Type R Coupe Gas Mileage
With that big lump of a V8 and the coupe’s weight of close to 4,000 lbs, it figures that consumption is rather heavy. According to the EPA, the F-Type R Coupe will return 16/24/18 mpg city/highway/combined. With an 18.5-gallon gas tank, the R should be able to manage a combined cruising range of about 333 miles. With its smaller engine and available manual gearbox on the more powerful Carrera S, the Porsche 911 can attain up to 21 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving.
During our week with the car, we clocked in an average indicated 16 mpg but, well, we’re not going to pretend we drove all the time like the EPA assumes everyone drives.
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
18.5 Gallons
-
Fuel Economy
City/Hwy: 16/24 mpg
* 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Automatic AWD
F-Type R Coupe Interior
The driver-focused cabin is attractively styled and is finished in high-quality materials, with soft leather and neat stitching. For average-sized occupants, the cabin will feel like the perfect fit. But for taller or broader people, it can feel rather cramped in there, and some details like the hard surface of the center armrest lack the comfortable feel of an equivalent Audi or Mercedes-Benz. Notable standard features include single-zone climate control, deployable front air vents, front/rear parking sensors, and of course, the new 12.3-inch customizable driver’s display. The latter does well to modernize the experience from behind the wheel, and details like the metal treadplates with bespoke R branding serve as reminders that you’re driving the big daddy of the range.
See All 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Interior Photos
Seating and Interior Space
There are just two seats in the F-Type, and the interior is snug. Colleagues have complained of discomfort over longer periods in the car, but despite being nearer to the F-Type’s age demographic, we had no problems covering longer distances. Storage space is also at a premium, but it’s a true sports coupe, and there are enough places to store everyday items. The interior is driver-centric, and Jaguar has nailed it. The driving position is excellent and adjustable enough for long bodies to tweak to perfection. Forward visibility is excellent, while rear visibility is understandably limited.
-
Seating capacity
2-seater
-
Front Leg Room
42.8 in -
Front Head Room
36.8 in
Interior Colors and Materials
As with the exterior, Jaguar has availed a wide range of options for customizing the cabin. As standard, the seats are upholstered in Windsor leather in colors like Ebony, Ebony/Light Oyster, Ebony/Mars Red, or Ebony/Tan. An R-branded leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard as well. You can also have Ebony seats with either Light Oyster or Flame Red contrast stitching. Opting for a Tan or Mars Red interior entirely costs an extra $2,550 but includes a full extended leather upgrade; another $100 will be required on top of that for special carpet mats if you choose either of these interior upgrades. For a different feel, buyers can pay $1,020 for an Ebony suedecloth cabin with Light Oyster stitching. The standard Ebony Morzine headlining can be upgraded to suedecloth for a total of $1,300, with the sun visors and vanity mirrors trimmed in the same material. A leather headliner, meanwhile, costs a total of $1,700.
Default veneers include Delta aluminum, knurled aluminum, or Linear Vee aluminum, whereas carbon fiber is a $765 upgrade. Finally, a $310 Black Pack includes a gloss black door release and vent surrounds in black. Owing to the rather cramped feel of the cabin, we’d opt for one of the lighter color schemes to brighten up the environment.
F-Type R Coupe Trunk and Cargo Space
On paper, the 14.4 cubic feet of trunk capacity for a sports car is excellent, matching some sedans. However, the cargo area is long but shallow and especially narrow, so this limits its ability to accommodate certain items that are longer or taller. Removing the parcel shelf helps, but then you’ll likely block the view out of the rear window.
In the cabin, the damped glovebox lid opens classily at the touch of a button, but there isn’t much space in there. There are also two covered cupholders in the center console area, a small center console that doubles as an armrest, and door bins which are – you guessed it – on the small side.
F-Type R Coupe Infotainment and Features
Features
As the range-topping F-Type Coupe, the R has to impress with its feature count. For the most part, it does. Without ticking any option boxes, you get 12-way power-adjustable front seats with memory, keyless entry, premium cabin lighting, power-folding wing mirrors, a power-adjustable steering column linked to a memory system, deployable front air vents, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. At six figures, a dual-zone climate control system would have been preferable to the coupe’s single-zone system, though. On the safety side of things, the R comes with a driver condition monitor, tire pressure monitoring, a rearview camera, front/rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and lane-keep assist. For an added cost, the cabin can be made even more luxurious and comfortable with add-ons like heated/cooled seats, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Blind-spot monitoring is optional as well.
Infotainment
This is where the F-Type R fails to meet expectations. The 10-inch screen is appropriately sized for the interior, but Jaguar’s InControl Pro touch system needs more work. It’s responsive enough to pass muster, but the menu system is not intuitive. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features. The 12.3-inch HD TFT gauge cluster is an improvement, however, and it’s attractive, clear, bright, and reconfigurable. The standard Meridian sound system boasts 10 speakers, but an optional system from the same manufacturer increases the count to 12 with surround sound and a 13-channel amplifier for $870.
F-Type R Coupe Problems and Reliability
The 2021 Jaguar F-Type R hasn’t yet been recalled for any issues, while the only recall in 2020 – for incorrect tire placard labels – applied to F-Types with 18-inch wheels. Since the R has 20-inch wheels, it wasn’t affected.
Jaguar offers an excellent five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty that includes roadside assistance. Where the company easily trumps its rivals is with its generous five-year/60,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance package, though.
Warranty
-
Basic:
5 Years 60,000 Miles
-
Drivetrain:
5 Years 60,000 Miles
-
Corrosion:
6 Years Unlimited Miles
-
Roadside Assistance:
5 Years 60,000 Miles
-
Maintenance:
5 Years 60,000 Miles
F-Type R Coupe Safety
High-priced sports cars tend not to be crash-tested, and that’s the case with the F-Type R. Both the IIHS and NHTSA have yet to evaluate the Jag, but there’s little reason to think it won’t perform well.
Key Safety Features
The F-Type R comes standard with six airbags, tire pressure monitoring, emergency brake assist, driver condition monitoring, ABS/EBD brakes, and dynamic stability control. Unlike Porsche which charges extra for many driver-assist features, the F-Type R gets lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and an adaptive speed limiter as standard. Besides these, the driver benefits from a rearview camera, front/rear parking sensors, and cruise control with a speed limiter. Optional extras include blind-spot assistance, rear traffic monitoring, and parking assistance. Unfortunately, a 360-degree camera system and lane departure warning are not available.
Verdict: 🏁Is the 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe a good car?
If you want a pure laser-guided sports car, the F-Type isn’t for you. It doesn’t have the point-and-shoot mentality that makes Porsche’s 911 the winner in outright track-based performance, but if you’re comparing the F-Type to a Porsche 911, or something like the new mid-engined Corvette, then you’re missing the point. The F-Type R is as much about style and sheer driving enjoyment as it is about getting lairy on a back road.
It’s a car for someone who sees too many Porsches, Mercedes, and BMWs around them and wants a car that turns heads and injects noise and excitement directly into their spine when they open the throttle to take the roundabout route to the golf club, a nice restaurant, or back from work.
The new front end styling should ensure it ages well, V8s, in general, are working their way into extinction, and Jaguar’s engineers have done a fantastic job elevating the coupe’s grip and handling. Taking that into account and forgiving its sub-par, for the money, infotainment system, we can put our hand on our heart and say the Jaguar F-Type R is a superb car. And, it’s one that will stand the test of time.
🚘What’s the Price of the 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe?
The 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe has a starting MSRP of $103,200. Although this is $1,400 more than last year’s F-Type R, it’s significantly less than the outgoing F-Type SVR. That’s good news considering that the upgraded R matches the SVR’s performance. The base price excludes tax, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,150. With enough options and accessories, the F-Type R’s price will exceed $140,000.
2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Models
With the demise of the SVR, the F-Type R Coupe takes over as the top-of-the-range F-Type. It comes in just a single trim, with the only other model being a limited-run Heritage 60 Edition, of which just 60 will be produced worldwide. This Heritage variant gains Sherwood Green paint from the original E-Type color palette, a unique interior with Caraway and Ebony Windsor leather, and numerous other heritage-inspired touches.
The F-Type R employs a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 producing 567 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with power being distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Further enhancing the dynamic potential of the coupe is an electronic active differential along with a torque vectoring system that operates via braking.
Standard exterior features include LED headlights, LED taillights, power-folding wing mirrors, quad-exit exhaust outlets, and front/rear parking sensors. Climb inside and the F-Type R greets you with 12-way power-adjustable seats, a power-adjustable steering column, single-zone climate control, a driver condition monitor, and lane-keep assist. The big news this year is the addition of a 12.3-inch configurable digital driver’s display, which joins the existing 10-inch central touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system are standard, while an even more powerful 12-speaker Meridian surround sound system with two subwoofers is an option.
See All 2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Trims and Specs
Additional Packages
Jaguar has made sure that there are plenty of customization options, provided your budget can accommodate them. There aren’t many packages, though, with most upgrades being standalone options. Then again, this offers greater flexibility. The Climate Pack adds a heated windshield, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control for $1,125. For $500, the Blind-Spot Assist Pack adds both blind-spot assist and a rear traffic monitor. Other worthwhile optional features include parking assistance ($510), heated/cooled seats ($800), an upgraded Meridian sound system ($870), and a fixed panoramic roof ($1,175). Two visual packs can dress the exterior up with several gloss black embellishments, with the more expensive of these going for $2,500.
🚗What Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Model Should I Buy?
As the F-Type R is now at the top of the range and doesn’t have, or need, any trim levels underneath it, it’s an easy choice of which to get. Then it boils down to options. It comes well outfitted, but we would add heated seats as someone buying one as a dedicated track car will be a rare bird. We would hold off the climate pack unless it’s strictly necessary, but we would definitely add the Blind-Spot Assist Pack with the rear traffic monitor as visibility is not excellent anywhere but out the front. We would consider the upgraded sound system a given, think hard about the panoramic roof, and give the visual packs a miss. The F-Type doesn’t need dressing up.
Check out other Jaguar F-Type Styles
2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Comparisons
Jaguar
Porsche
2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe vs Jaguar F-Type R Convertible
Whether you opt for the coupe or the convertible, the F-Type R is a stunning sports car with a charismatic supercharged V8, sharp handling, and bags of personality. At $105,900, the F-Type R Convertible is $2,700 more expensive than its fixed-roof sibling, although that probably isn’t a dealbreaker considering that both cars cost over $100,000. Fortunately, the drop-top is just as quick to 60 mph and the power-folding roof is perfect for warmer climates. The downside of the folding roof is that cargo capacity is severely affected, with around half the packing space in the convertible relative to the coupe. Other than this, the two cars share a similarly involving driving experience and the same features. For its added rigidity and practicality, we’d go with the coupe – this is one car that doesn’t need a folding roof to evoke a truly glamorous feeling, whether you’re behind the wheel or not.
See Jaguar F-Type R Convertible Review
2021 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe vs Porsche 911 Carrera
If you’re a fan of pretty much any other luxury sports car brand, the Porsche 911 is likely to be the perennial thorn in your side. The latest 992-gen 911 is a fabulous sports car, blending searing performance with sublime handling, a refined ride, and an impeccably built cabin. While the F-Type R’s V8 makes it perhaps even more exciting, the 911 is a more polished act dynamically, its steering being a particular highlight. Even the Jag’s gearbox, while impressive in isolation, lacks the supreme smoothness and swift reactions of the Porsche’s PDK. Plus, the Porsche offers both rear-wheel-drive and a manual gearbox. Inside, the Porsche feels more spacious and has the added advantage of two small rear seats, although the Jag is better equipped as standard. All but the base 911 Carrera cost more than the F-Type R. If you want the best car here, it’s the Porsche, but the Jag admirably balances out its few flaws by being so darn desirable.
See Porsche 911 Carrera Review
