The Jaguar F-Type is the latest in a long line of beautiful sports cars from this legendary British marque that started 75 years ago with the XK120. With classic styling, coupe or convertible body styles, and a powerful V8 engine under the long hood, the F-Type is a proper tribute to the Jaguar sports cars that came before it. But Jaguar plans to become a fully electric brand by 2025, and there's no place for a V8-powered sports car in that future. To that end, the 2024 model year will be the last for the F-Type. Recently, I was lucky enough to spend some time with this powerful machine to say a proper goodbye.
As the final year for the F-Type, Jaguar is commemorating this iconic sports car with a '75' edition, calling out the 75 years of sports cars that have lived under the Jaguar marque. Both the F-Type 75 and F-Type R75 boast supercharged V8 engines under the hood, as well as a range of unique interior and exterior design elements.
Jaguar offers the 2024 F-Type in three trim levels: R-Dynamic, 75, and R75, each available as a coupe or convertible (convertibles cost $2,000 more than the coupe). The R-Dynamic is rear-wheel drive, while the special 75 editions come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices start around $80,000, ranging up to around $120,000 for the top-level R75 Convertible.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Jaguar F-Type competes in the Premium Sporty Car market segment.
According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, Premium Sporty Car buyers rated their vehicles in 10 primary categories.
Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about their cars to their least favorite:
In the sections that follow, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Jaguar F-Type R75 Convertible equipped with the following options:
Full extended leather
Giola Green exterior paint
Nubuck edged floor mats
The test vehicle's price was $119,875, including the $1,275 destination charge.
Photo: Perry Stern
As soon as you climb into the Jaguar F-Type, the focus on the driver is apparent. The dashboard is divided with the left portion in black, encompassing the center display and console, creating what Jaguar refers to as a 1+1 cockpit. A support piece juts out from the dashboard on the right side, creating a grab handle for the passenger and further differentiating the two sides of the cabin. This design element has been integral to the F-Type's interior since its launch 10 years ago.
My top-level R75 convertible featured the extended Tan Windsor leather trim, which covers the seats, doors, and dashboard with contrasting stitching. The Tan leather is the perfect color for the exclusive Giola Green exterior paint.
Performance seats are standard on the R75, featuring heating and cooling, firm bolstering, attractive patterning, and integrated headrests embossed with the Jaguar Leaper. The attractive and comfortable seats offer excellent support for long cruises or enthusiastic drives.
While the overall interior design has mostly stayed the same over the years, Jaguar revised the F-Type for the 2021 model year, adding a 12.3-inch driver display and a 10-inch center touchscreen display. Climate controls are below the display with large dials that adjust cabin temperature or, when pushed, function as the seat heating/ventilation controls. Vents in the center of the dashboard automatically rise out of the dashboard when needed, hiding when not in use.
There is little storage space in the cabin. Still, there is room for smaller items in the standard glove box in front of the passenger, as well as the small storage bin under the center armrest. Dual cupholders can double as a place for a mobile phone.
Photo: Perry Stern
Jaguar's infotainment system is my least favorite aspect of the F-Type as it feels somewhat dated. Features of the system include:
I quickly connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ phone via Bluetooth, and operating Android Auto requires a wired connection. I plugged my phone into the USB port in the center console, but after several attempts, Android Auto would not connect as the vehicle could not recognize my phone. My phone has connected with other vehicles without issue, so it appears it was a problem with the vehicle software.
While Android Auto would not work, with my phone connected via Bluetooth, I could stream music through the excellent Meridian sound system and make phone calls through the infotainment system. The Jaguar does not have a voice-command system. When I pressed the button indicating voice on the steering wheel, it muted the audio system.
The digital driver display is clear and easy to read. It is configurable to show the desired driving information via steering wheel controls. It is also possible to display the GPS navigation map for easier viewing, leaving the central display to show audio or other information.
Photo: Perry Stern
Jaguar provided me with a 2024 F-Type R75 Convertible, the automaker's most powerful variant. Under the long hood is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to all four wheels via a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. Adding to the Jag's performance is the electronic active differential with torque vectoring.
The sound of the V8 starting up in the F-Type has long been one of my favorites, and your neighbors will either love it or hate it. Either way, they'll hear it. A button on the center console turns on Active Exhaust, increasing the exhaust volume and delivering a lovely rumble while idling.
Heading out onto Interstate 94 outside of Detroit, Michigan, the F-Type got up to speed quickly and wanted to keep accelerating well past the legal limit. There's plenty of power on tap, and cruising at 70 mph barely taxes the big V8. The ride is comfortable and solid. However, there is a fair amount of road and wind noise, even with the top closed.
Some convertibles on the market manage the airflow when the top is down to keep the cabin from getting too blustery. That's not the case with the F-Type. It gets rather breezy at slower speeds, and at 70 mph, it can be challenging to have a conversation. But on a sunny day, I still prefer top-down driving in the Jag—even during winter in Michigan.
While the F-Type works very well as a freeway cruiser, it really comes alive when pushed hard on a winding country road. With the grip of AWD and immense power under the hood, Jaguar says the F-Type R75 Convertible can sprint to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph. That speed could redefine the idea of wind in your hair.
Steering is responsive with good feedback, and the Jaguar delivers a confident ride with the ability for quick direction changes. The suspension is pliable enough that the ride remains comfortable while staying firm enough for good handling through the corners. Large brakes provide excellent, predictable stopping power.
As loud as the exhaust is when it starts up, that's nothing compared to the sound that emanates from the quad pipes when the engine passes 3500 rpm. The roar is akin to that of an angry muscle car. With quick shifts and accompanying extreme acceleration, the full-throttle experience in the Jaguar is the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Whatever the electric vehicle that ultimately replaces the F-Type is, it will likely deliver equal, if not better, performance. Still, nothing with an electric motor will match the aural experience of the F-Type at speed with the top down.
Photo: Perry Stern
All trim levels of the 2024 Jaguar F-Type come standard with the latest advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes:
The F-Type has standard cruise control that ties in with the traffic-sign recognition and can automatically adjust speed to match the current limit. However, Jaguar does not offer adaptive cruise control or lane-centering assistance on the F-Type.
Lane-keeping assistance works well without being overly aggressive, gently adding steering input if you drift over the lane marker. I didn't feel the need to turn it off as I have with other vehicles.
Sitting down low in the F-Type limits sightlines when trying to back out of a tight parking spot, and the rear cross-traffic warning system was helpful, letting me know if a vehicle was approaching from out of sight.
Photo: Perry Stern
With just 7.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk of the F-Type convertible, there's very little space to store much of anything. However, with some Tetris-like skills, I could get a backpack and carry-on suitcase into the trunk. Cargo space almost doubles to 14.4 cubic feet if you opt for the coupe.
With a big supercharged V8 engine under the hood, good fuel economy is clearly not the goal of the F-Type. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2024 Jaguar F-Type Convertible R75 gets 18 mpg combined. During my time in the Jag, the trip computer indicated 19 mpg, so the EPA figure seems accurate. The EPA estimates that the F-Type can travel up to 333 miles with a full tank of fuel.
While the car features many of the latest advanced safety features, the F-Type is a low-volume model. Therefore, official crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are unavailable.
There are three trim levels of the 2024 Jaguar F-Type, each available as a coupe or convertible. The R-Dynamic Coupe has a base price of $79,175. The 75 Coupe starts at $91,175, while the top-level R75 Coupe comes in at $114,275. The convertible version of each trim is precisely $2,000 more than the coupe. Prices include the $1,275 destination charge.
In the JD Power 2023 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Chevrolet Corvette ranks highest in the Premium Sporty Car segment. The Porsche 911 and the Porsche 718 are the next highest-ranked models.
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the Porsche 911 ranks highest in the Premium Sporty Car segment. The Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche 718 are the next highest-ranked models.
Other competitors to the 2024 F-Type include the BMW Z4, Lexus LC, and Toyota Supra.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Jaguar F-Type remains one of the sexiest sports cars on the market, with power and performance to match. As the most exciting model in the British marque's lineup, it is sad that the F-Type has reached the end of the line.
The 2024 Jaguar F-Type R75 is a fitting tribute—not only to previous Jaguar sports cars but to the F-Type itself. As it did when first introduced 10 years ago, the F-Type delivers a perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and performance, all wrapped in a perfectly proportioned sports car body. It may be a bit dated when it comes to driver-assistance features and infotainment, but these are issues worth overlooking to experience the final V8 F-Type. While I look forward to checking out Jaguar's electric future, I'll miss this iconic V8 sports car.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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