F-Type
Facelift
Unveiled in December 2019 for the 2021 model year. A significantly restyled front end, a new digital interior, revised suspension, and a simplified powertrain. The last F-Types were built in June 2024.
The Second Generation. A Cleaner, More Capable Car.
The 2021 facelift was not a cosmetic refresh. Jaguar redesigned the front end, replaced the analogue instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch digital display, revised the suspension geometry, recalibrated the steering, and simplified the powertrain. The SVR was discontinued. The manual gearbox was gone. The V6 survived only in North America.
The result is a more polished car than the original. PistonHeads' 2025 buying guide is direct: "Jaguar paid full attention to the faults of the past and addressed them in the 2020 facelift. They improved the driving experience while they were at it too." The pre-facelift cooling system failures, timing chain rattles, and supercharger bearing issues do not appear to continue on facelift cars.
The powertrain story is important for buyers. The R P575 now produces 575hp — matching the old SVR — but in a more refined package at a lower price point. The new P450 fills the gap between the V6 and the R, offering V8 character in both RWD and AWD configurations. The P300 four-cylinder remains the entry point, and it is a genuinely underrated driver's car at 1,520 kg.
Production ended in June 2024 after 87,731 total F-Types were built. The facelift generation represents the final, most resolved expression of Ian Callum's original design — and it is now available used at prices that make the performance-per-pound argument compelling.
What Jaguar Changed for 2021
The facelift was unveiled in December 2019 for the 2021 model year — making MY2020 cars the last of the original Ian Callum design. These are the substantive changes across four categories.
- ›New Pixel LED headlights — horizontal units replacing the original vertical lamps
- ›Slender LED taillights with sweeping indicators (I-Pace inspired)
- ›Wider, deeper front grille with revised bumper designs per trim
- ›Clamshell bonnet with new air vents positioned closer to the bumper
- ›R-Dynamic and R models: J-shaped aero-blades to guide airflow
- ›New 10-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels as standard
- ›New exterior paint options including Caldera Red, Eiger Grey, Bluefire Blue
- ›12.3-inch reconfigurable TFT digital instrument cluster (replaces analogue gauges)
- ›10-inch Touch Pro infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- ›Over-the-air software update capability
- ›Embedded Spotify app — a Jaguar first
- ›Windsor leather, suede, Noble chrome, and monogram stitching
- ›'Jaguar' stamped into seat belt guides and glovebox release
- ›Alcantara-wrapped instrument cluster binnacle on First Edition
- ›Revised rear knuckles — aluminium die castings with larger wheel bearings
- ›New upper ball joints for more precise tyre contact patch control
- ›New springs, anti-roll bars, and more tightly bushed rear knuckles on R
- ›Recalibrated electric power steering for more immediate response
- ›R model: 10mm wider Pirelli P Zero tyres — 265/35ZR20 front, 305/30ZR20 rear
- ›Improved ride comfort and body control vs pre-facelift cars
- ›SVR discontinued — not carried forward to facelift generation
- ›Manual gearbox discontinued (died in 2019 due to lack of demand)
- ›V6 engine discontinued in most markets (North America retained P380 V6)
- ›P300 (four-cylinder) discontinued in US after MY2021
- ›F-Type R P575: V8 output increased from 550hp to 575hp — matching the old SVR
- ›New P450 variant introduced: 444hp V8 in RWD or AWD
- ›All models retain 8-speed ZF automatic transmission
Four Variants. One Decision.
The facelift simplified the lineup. No SVR. No manual. No V6 outside North America. What remains is a clean four-variant structure with a clear hierarchy.
Entry point. Lightest F-Type at 1,520 kg. Underrated driver's car. US buyers: limited to 2021 only.
North America exclusive. The last V6 F-Type. Balanced, characterful, and now a curiosity for collectors.
New for the facelift. The sweet spot: V8 sound and character without the R's price premium. RWD version is the driver's choice.
The flagship. SVR-matching power in a revised, more refined package. First Edition and 75 Edition command premiums.
The Digital Cockpit
The most significant interior change is the 12.3-inch reconfigurable TFT digital instrument cluster. It replaces the analogue gauges of the original car and offers a full-screen map mode. The 10-inch Touch Pro infotainment screen adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — both wired, not wireless — and over-the-air software update capability.
One important clarification: the facelift F-Type uses the Touch Pro system, not the newer Pivi Pro found in the F-Pace from 2020. Jaguar chose not to update the F-Type's infotainment to Pivi Pro. The Touch Pro works, but it is slower and less intuitive than Pivi Pro. Buyers coming from a newer Jaguar or Land Rover will notice the difference.
The round climate control knobs, centre console volume knob, and joystick-like gear selector all carry over from the original car — a deliberate decision to preserve the tactile character that owners valued. Windsor leather, suede, Noble chrome, and monogram stitching are available across the range. The First Edition's Alcantara-wrapped instrument binnacle with Monogram embossing is a particularly distinctive interior detail.
The F-Type facelift uses Touch Pro, not Pivi Pro. Apple CarPlay requires a cable. Wireless CarPlay is not available on any F-Type. The TFT speedo and tacho needles are known to stutter — this is cosmetic and common, not a fault. Confirm with the seller before purchase.
What to Check Before You Buy
The facelift generation is significantly more reliable than the original. The major pre-facelift issues — coolant system failures, timing chain rattle, supercharger bearing noise — were addressed. What remains is a short list of items worth checking on any used example.
Facelift Special Editions
Launch edition for the facelift. Exterior Design Pack in Dorchester Grey, 5-spoke 20-inch wheels in gloss grey with diamond-turned finish, 12-way Windsor leather performance seats, Alcantara instrument binnacle with Monogram embossing, aluminium gearshift paddles, Ebony suedecloth headliner, Engine Spin centre console finisher with First Edition branding. Available in Santorini Black, Eiger Grey, or Fuji White.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the E-Type. Available in Coupé and Convertible. Exclusive Sherwood Green paint (a nod to the E-Type's launch colour), Diamond-Turned Gloss Black 20-inch forged wheels, unique badging, and Heritage 60 interior detailing. V8 P575 only. One of the most visually distinctive facelift special editions.
Gloss Black exterior pack, Black contrast roof (convertible), Black brake callipers, Black exterior badges, and Black interior trim accents. Available across multiple engine variants. Popular choice for buyers who prefer a more aggressive, monochromatic appearance.
Celebrating 75 years of the XK120. Available in Coupé and Convertible. R P575 only. Forged wheels and optional carbon ceramic brakes. 'Plus' trim added panoramic roof, privacy glass, and additional leather. New prices began at just under £103,000 for the Coupé and just over £108,000 for the Convertible.
The last F-Types. Based on the R P575. Oulton Blue and Crystal Grey exclusive colours. SV upgrades throughout. See the dedicated ZP Edition guide for full details.
12-Point Inspection Guide
Facelift F-Types are young cars. Most should have full service history. Use this checklist at the point of inspection.
The horizontal Pixel LED headlights are the definitive visual identifier of the facelift. Pre-facelift cars have vertical LED units. Do not confuse a heavily optioned pre-facelift car for a facelift.
Facelift cars are young enough that most should have full service history. Any gap in the record is a red flag. Confirm the correct service intervals have been followed.
Even on facelift cars, the V8 cooling system warrants inspection. Check for weeping, white residue, and confirm no overheating events in the history.
A brief cold-start rattle clearing within seconds is normal. Persistent rattle or grinding is not. This is the single most important mechanical check on a V8 F-Type.
Test Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, navigation, and climate controls. Confirm over-the-air updates are current. Note any screen lag or freezing.
The TFT speedo and tacho needles are known to stutter on facelift cars. This is cosmetic, not mechanical. Confirm with the seller before purchase.
Press gently on the headliner at multiple points. Check edges and corners for separation. Any sagging or bubbling warrants investigation.
Check for any steering warning lights. Test steering feel at low and high speed. Any unusual heaviness, lightness, or vibration warrants a specialist diagnostic.
The R P575 runs 305/30ZR20 rear tyres. These are expensive. Check tread depth and look for uneven wear indicating alignment or suspension issues.
Check for any suspension or dynamics warning lights. Test all drive modes (Normal, Dynamic, Winter) and confirm the active exhaust cycles correctly.
Request a battery health test. A marginal battery generates spurious fault codes. Any car that has been standing should have the battery checked.
Operate the roof through a full open/close cycle. Listen for unusual noises. Check the seals and fabric for wear. Confirm the heated rear window works.
Buy or Walk Away?
- ✓You want the most resolved, reliable F-Type
- ✓Digital interior and modern connectivity matter to you
- ✓You prefer the new Pixel LED front end
- ✓You want V8 character at P450 prices
- ✓You want the final production year (2024) or a special edition
- ✓Full service history is present and verifiable
- ✓You're buying the last of a lineage — not a speculative investment
- ✗You want a manual gearbox — it does not exist on the facelift
- ✗You want a V6 and you're outside North America
- ✗Service history is incomplete or missing
- ✗The headliner shows signs of detachment (2022–2023)
- ✗Any steering warning lights are present without a clear diagnosis
- ✗The seller cannot demonstrate a cold start
- ✗You're paying R P575 money for a car with unclear history
The facelift F-Type is the version Jaguar should have built from the start. The pre-facelift cars were dramatic and characterful, but they came with real ownership risks — cooling system failures, timing chain issues, and a reliability reputation that took years to shake. The facelift addressed most of those problems. What you get now is a car that PistonHeads describes as one "that almost anyone can enjoy without fear."
The R P575 at £50,000–£80,000 offers 575hp, AWD, and a 3.5-second 0–60 time. The P450 at £35,000–£55,000 delivers V8 character at a sensible price. Both are compelling arguments. The P300 at under £35,000 is the overlooked choice — the lightest, most agile F-Type, and the only one with rear-wheel drive at an accessible price point. Buy with full service history, verify the coolant system on V8 cars, and do a cold start. The rest is straightforward.
Entry point. Strong value proposition.
US buyers: 2021 only. Rarer than coupé.
Last V6 F-Type. Collector interest building.
Best value V8 entry. RWD version preferred.
V8 open-top at a sensible price.
Low-mileage examples command strong premiums.
Thinner supply than coupé. Prices firm.
Premium over equivalent standard car.
60 units. Collector premium applies.
Near-new prices. Low mileage examples.
Indicative ranges based on market data as of early 2025. Condition, mileage, and service history are the primary price drivers. Special editions command premiums above equivalent standard cars.
