Overview
The 2023 F-type offers everything you’d expect from a Jaguar sports car: a beautiful design, a sonorous engine, and plenty of driving character. While it was previously available with a turbo-four or a supercharged V-6, it now comes only with a supercharged V-8 producing either 444 or 575 horsepower. The front-engine F-type competes with mid-engine sports cars such as the Chevy Corvette and Porsche 718, but the heavy Jag can’t quite match those models’ nimble feel. It’s also starting to look dated inside and doesn’t offer much space for either occupants or small items. But whether you choose the coupe or the convertible, you’ll be happy to be seen in this gorgeous piece of automotive sculpture.
What’s New for 2023?
After Jaguar dropped the four- and six-cylinder engine options from the lineup in 2022, the V-8–only F-type continues unchanged into 2023.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Although the F-type R’s 575-horsepower V-8 engine is tempting, the P450’s V-8 sounds about as good and still offers plenty of grunt. We also prefer the F-type in its standard rear-wheel-drive configuration; all-wheel drive is optional on the P450 and standard on the R. The stylish coupe is our pick of the lineup, but the convertible offers that quintessential wind-in-your-hair experience if that’s more your vibe. A wide range of colors and interior trims are available but make ours British Racing Green with tan leather.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
While many sports cars have transitioned to downsized turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, Jaguar has taken the opposite approach and now offers the F-type only with an old-school supercharged 5.0-liter V-8. It makes 444 horsepower in P450 form and 575 horsepower in the high-performance R configuration. Both versions offer an exceptional auditory experience with plenty of snaps, crackles, and pops coming from the exhaust. In our testing, the P450 convertible snapped off a run to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat while the F-type R finished the same task in 3.5 seconds. That’s quick, but not as quick as a comparable Corvette or Porsche 718. The F-type’s driving experience is engaging, with good steering and a relatively comfortable ride, but its responses are not as sharp as more hard-core sports car rivals if you intend to take it to the racetrack or on spirited backroad romps.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The 575-hp, all-wheel-drive F-type R is rated at 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway and the less powerful P450 earned ratings of 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. We ran an R coupe on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it exceeded expectations by returning 27 mpg; the P450 convertible delivered a 28-mpg result. For more information about the F-type’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2023 F-type’s cockpit has a driver-centric design and features an interesting mix of materials including stitching, faux-suede accents, and chrome trim. There are also different options for nicer headliners, center-console trims, and various gloss-black pieces. The standard six-way power sport seats can be upgraded to 12-way power performance seats with various leather or suede upholstery combinations. Neither the coupe nor the convertible offers much space inside for driver and passenger, and the convertible’s trunk is laughably small.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every F-type features a 10.0-inch touchscreen that runs the company’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment software. The system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as standard. A premium surround-sound audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless phone charging are all optional.