Jaguar E-Pace review: Brit maker succeeds in making a beautiful Frankenstein of an SUV with its E-Pace
By taking all the sweet spots from other vehicles and pulling them together in this baby SUV, Jaguar have really created something special - and for an incredible price
COME on, admit it. We’ve all played the game down the pub – what would make the ideal woman?
You know the one, face of Girl A, boobs from Girl B, legs off Girl C.
Mine would look like Eva Mendes, cook like Nigella — and be as daring as Anastasia Steele. After waiting up for me to watch Match Of The Day.
That’s effectively what Jaguar has done with the E-Pace.
It has taken all the sweet spots from other vehicles and pulled them together in one baby SUV.
A Frankenstein car, if you like, but a little beauty, not a monster.
The 10in touchscreen is from the Jag XE, the rear suspension is F-Pace, the e-diff is Range Rover Evoque — and the styling is unashamedly F-Type.
See those lights, rear haunches and that boat-tail back end? All inspired by the F-Type sports car.
And there are more F-Type touches inside — most notably the wraparound grab handle dash, sports gear stick and drive mode selector.
Now let’s pause for a moment and talk money. This car starts at £28,500. Yep, £28,500. For a Jaguar. For a car that quietly tells the neighbours life is good.
Now bear in mind a top-spec Nissan Qashqai is £32k-plus and a Ford Kuga Vignale can set you back £34k. E-Pace finance starts from £299 a month.
So, how does it drive? As good as you’d expect. Clearly, it’s not a Jaguar sports car, it’s a tall SUV — and mostly front-wheel drive when pottering about.
But it has the fun of a sports car. Well balanced, quick steering, and less body roll than an Evoque.
That e-diff sends torque to the rear wheels when driving enthusiastically — and also to the outside wheels when cornering, so it’s sure-footed down a B-road.
The little things make the difference
There are five engine choices, three diesel, two petrol, with hybrids to follow.
But for now the sweet spot is the mid-range 180hp 2-litre diesel with AWD and nine-speed auto at £32,550. That has the best balance between performance and efficiency.
The hot 300hp petrol — 0-62mph in 6.4 secs — starts at £46k, but that kind of money is better spent elsewhere.
Other observations. Plush interior. Nice driving position. The floor is slightly higher than an Evoque — but you sit lower in the car.
There’s clever storage everywhere, five USBs, 4G wifi for eight devices, panoramic glass roof, and the 577-litre boot is bigger than a BMW X1, Audi Q3 . . . and, er, the XF Sportbrake.
But it’s not all gravy, dear readers. I have issues. The foot rest is too narrow, it needs a nice wide plate in the auto versions. And the rear parcel shelf is egg-box flimsy. Note to Jag: Copy the roller blind in the Skoda Karoq.
Now that might be splitting hairs when an SUV looks as good as this. But it’s the little things, the little details, that make the difference.
Now then, Eva, how about sex and pancakes?
Jaguar E-Pace Rivals Key Facts:
JAGUAR E-PACE
Price: £32,550
Engine: 2-litre diesel (180hp, AWD, auto)
Economy: 50mpg
0-62mph: 9.3 secs
Top speed: 127mph
CO2: 147g/km
Built: Austria
Out: January
FORD KUGA VIGNALE
Price: £33,845
Engine: 2-litre diesel (180hp, AWD, auto)
Economy: 54mpg
0-62mph: 10 secs
Top speed: 124mph
CO2: 134g/km
Built: Spain
Out: Now
NISSAN QASHQAI TEKNA+
Price: £32,530
Engine: 1.6-litre diesel (130hp, AWD, manual)
Economy: 57mpg
0-62mph: 10.5 secs
Top speed: 118mph
CO2: 129g/km
Built: Britain
Out: Now
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