With its sharp styling, excellent handling and impressive practicality, the Jaguar F Pace is right up there with the best in class.

My test car came in recently-introduced Chequered Flag trim, offering plenty of extra kit to create an even more appealing mid-size SUV.

With a special-feeling car in my hands, I set my eyes on an equally-special West Yorkshire motoring location to put the Jag to the test.

This year marks 100 years since the first Holme Moss Hill Climb, organised jointly by the Huddersfield, Halifax and Bradford Automobile clubs in 1920.

And so, with the trans-Pennine route from Kirklees into Derbyshire being open as a public highway for day-to-day use, it seemed appropriate to mark the climb’s centenary by seeing how the F Pace coped with its flowing corners and steep slopes.

On the tight and tricky bends at the bottom of the 1,719ft hill, the car’s accurate steering inspired confidence and responded swiftly to subtle inputs. There’s also very little by way of body lean, allowing a driver to get into their flow.

Once the road opened out into a series of straights, it was possible to see how the Ingenium 2.0-litre 4cyl turbocharged petrol engine responded in the face of a gradient that rises to 11 per cent at times.

Delivering 247hp and 365Nm of torque, the F Pace was more than a match for Holme Moss, effortlessly reaching the speed limit and feeling as if it would have had the eagerness to continue.

What’s impressive is the way the vehicle gathers pace with the minimum of fuss, with very little noise from the engine.

That process is all helped by the automatic gearbox, which suits the F-Pace rather well and shifts smoothly between its eight gears.

The high-end Chequered Flag trim grade was previously introduced on the XE and XF saloons and uses the mid-spec R-Sport as a starting point then adds plenty of flourishes both inside and out.

Externally, it’s most easily distinguished from other models by the more aggressive-looking front bumper, which is taken from the sporty F-Pace S.

The rest of the body kit is also eye-catching, having been taken the R Sport.

The test car also had a more moody look, being finished in Eiger Grey, but with gloss black around the side window trims, door claddings and roof rails.

The interior is typified by elegant features.

A panoramic roof, which comes as standard, floods the cabin with light and provides a permanent airy feel.

There are plenty of other creature comforts to enjoy, such as a heated steering wheel, heated windscreen and front seats that are electrically adjustable.

The 10-inch infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly, while the car also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

An impressive Meridian sound system accompanies the Chequered Flag version.

In terms of practicality, the F Pace has plenty going for it. Happily, its rakish exterior doesn't come at the expense of decent interior space.

The front seats offer decent comfort and adjustability, while rear-seat passengers will have excellent legroom.

The F-Pace also has a bigger boot than many of its class rivals, with the 650-litre capacity being more comparable with some vehicles from the class above.

Furthermore, the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats are easy enough to lower if you need to further increase the load area.

A week with the F Pace was an agreeable experience, due to a car that offers good looks, versatility and engaging performance.

In a year when the coronavirus sadly signalled the red flag for plans to hold a timed, competitive vintage hill climb on Holme Moss to mark the significant milestone, it was nice to be able to see a chequered flag of another variety in action on the iconic climb.

Jaguar F-Pace P250 Chequered Flag PRICE: From: £49,850 On The Road ENGINE: 2.0L 4-cylinder Turbocharged Petrol TRANSMISSION: 8-speed Automatic ACCELERATION: 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds MAXIMUM SPEED: 135mph CO2 Emissions:175g/km ECONOMY: 30.7mpg combined WARRANTY: 3 years/unlimited mileage