Jaguar only makes one coupe, and it’s the F-Type. The rest of the cat’s lineup is made up of two gas SUVs, one electric SUV, and the XF sedan. The F-Type and i-Pace, its all-electric performance SUV, carry the biggest starting prices by more than $10,000. In a world where coupes and sedans are becoming increasingly rare, it’s nice to see a seasoned car maker offer both. However, with the prices Jaguar is trying to impose on its consumers, the current lineup might not last. Here’s the cheapest version of the F-Type that Jaguar sells.

Underwhelming and expensive powertrain

The cheapest F-Type configuration starts at $61,000 and comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, dubbed the P300. It gets the car to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and its top speed is 155 mph. The P300 configuration is the only one available for the F-Type that uses all-wheel-drive. On these specs alone, the price tag is outrageous. While the C8 Corvette MSRPs for $60,900, it makes a lot more power and hits 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. The RWD M240i coupe gets there in 4.3 seconds and MSRPs for $45,000.

To be fair, the Jag is comfortable. The interior is spacious and inviting, almost cozy like a log cabin, but it feels just as big. Steering inputs are somewhat slow to react, and the car seems to prefer wading around corners like a boat navigating a harbor, instead of a fox darting from turn to turn like a Mercedes-Benz. The F-Type’s 5.0-liter V8 acceleration is absolutely intoxicating and you never want it to end, but unfortunately, that powertrain rockets the price to $103,000. If you’re after power, you might as well go for a Corvette.

The F-Type P300 has many standard and key features

For its lackluster base powertrain, the F-Type does roll off the assembly line bursting with features. Active sports exhaust, passive suspension, and torque vectoring are just a few of the standard features. There are also a number of amenities, including an adjustable steering column with memory, a remote-controlled 10-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, It even has tons of safety and driver-assistance features, including emergency braking and brake assist, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. 

Opting for the F-Type first edition nets a switchable active exhaust, new wheels, aluminum gearshift paddles, and a leather steering wheel with aluminum spokes. You’ll have to figure out if all of that is worth an extra $12,000.

Is the Jaguar F-Type P300 worth getting?

The short answer is, “not that we can see”. The only powertrain worth getting is the 5.0-liter V8, and it is incredible. It makes 575 horsepower thanks to a supercharger, gets the car to 186 mph and to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. It’s a brilliant engine, but it’s essentially Corvette power for about two-thirds the price of an actual Corvette extra, on top of the F-Type’s MSRP. 

Most if not all of the F-Type’s safety features are available on the Honda Civic and similar amenities abound in the Mercedes E-Class, albeit in a much more comfortable setting and refined driving experience. Performance and feature-wise, there are better options. However, it’s very hard to beat the F-Type’s rugged good looks.