JAGUAR E-PACE ESTATE 1.5 P270e R-Dynamic HSE Black 5dr Auto

Jaguar's E-PACE gives buyers another, very interesting option in the German-dominated segment for premium-badged compact SUVs. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer from this revised version.

Ten Second Review

Jaguar's much improved E-PACE brings the company's brand values into the growing market for compact, lifestyle-orientated SUVs. There are smarter looks and improved infotainment, plus as before, sporty cues are borrowed from the Coventry maker's F-TYPE sportscar. Under the skin, the latest Premium Transverse Architecture underpinnings hail from the successful Range Rover Evoque, which means that this little Jag can now offer a more efficient range of electrified engines. All the ingredients seem to be in place then, for a strong package.

Background

Did you ever think Jaguar would become a brand with sales based mainly around SUVs? It is today. The company's mid-sized F-PACE model introduced the crossover community to the concept of a Jag, but it's this smaller E-PACE that's now this manufacturer's most accessible model. The name suggests an electric connection - misleadingly as it turns out. Jaguar has another SUV - the battery-powered I-PACE - to provide that. Both are cars the company decided it needed but found it didn't have the capacity to build. Hence the need for an agreement with Magna Steyr in Austria, who've been making G-Class models for Mercedes since 1979 and build all the E-PACE variants destined for our market. The car targets the premium part of the SUV 'C'-segment, the compact part of the crossover market aimed at people who need something Qashqai or Ateca-sized but want a posher badge on the bonnet. The JLR business already has a car competing here - the Range Rover Evoque - and, presumably in order to simplify the design process, has based the E-PACE on most of the same engineering used in that model. The improvements that created the second generation Evoque in 2019 have now been carried over to this E-PACE - which has rejuvenated this car's proposition.

Driving Experience

Handling of the original version of this model wasn't quite as sharp as we'd expected, so Jaguar's taken steps to improve things, incorporating under the skin the latest stiffer Premium Transverse Architecture structure that the JLR conglomerate has lately built into the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. As a result, significant improvements in refinement, ride quality and throttle response are claimed. Only the entry-level E-PACE variant - the 163PS 2.0-litre D165 FWD diesel version - uses a non-electrified engine and can be had with front wheel drive and a manual gearbox. All the other derivatives have AWD, a 9-speed automatic and the brand's latest MHEV mild hybrid technology. You can have that 2.0-litre diesel in D165 AWD Auto form; or, with a power hike to 204PS, in D200 AWD Auto guise. There's also a choice of three versions of the brand's 2.0-litre MHEV four cylinder petrol unit, developing either 200PS (P200), 249PS (P250) and 300PS (P300 Sport). The range also now includes a P300e Plug-in Hybrid derivative, which uses a 309PS three cylinder 1.5-litre petrol unit mated to an 80kW Electric Rear Axle Drive motor powered by a 15kWh lithium-ion battery beneath the boot floor. When this is fully charged, up to 34 miles of WLTP-rated all-electric driving range is possible. Whatever your choice of E-PACE variant, you should find on the road that it has very much a Jaguar feel. It's certainly far more of a driver's car than its Land Rover cousins thanks to things like 'Configurable Dynamics' technology that lets drivers personalise throttle, steering and transmission settings, plus the 'Active Driveline' and torque vectoring set-ups are supposed to combine to make this front-driven model fell more like a more involving rear-driven product. All models get a 'JaguarDrive Control' system that gives owners a choice of four selectable driving modes - 'Normal', 'Dynamic', 'ECO' and 'Rain, Ice & Snow'. The optional 'Active Driveline' AWD system can transfer traction to the rear axle in a fraction of a second should a lack of grip demand it.

Design and Build

The E-PACE features a few detail changes in this uprated guise. Revised all-LED headlights with distinctive 'Double J' DRL signatures flank a restyled grille, plus there's a revised lower aperature and smarter side fender vents at the front; and all-LED tail lamps and a smart mesh insert for the bumper at the back. As before, this little Jaguar is based on the same chassis used for the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. It's around 4.4m in length, so very similar in size to the Audi Q3 that many think will be its biggest rival. It's certainly a lower, sleeker design than that Ingolstadt model, with crisp surfacing, strong rear haunches and a sporty stance. Inside, the main change is the adoption of Jaguar's latest 'Pivi Pro' infotainment system, which sits behind a now much larger integrated 11.4-inch curved-glass HD touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. Improvements here include quicker activation, the adoption of 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring, plus a whole range of embedded apps (like Spotify and Deezer) and the potential for over-the-air updates. Complementing this monitor is a 12.3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display, which replaces conventional dials in the instrument binnacle. You can also have a Head-up display; and Jaguar's optional ClearSight Interior Rear View Mirror which replaces the conventional surface of the frameless rear view mirror with a high-definition screen fed from a camera on the roof. As before, the cabin has more in common with Jaguar's F-TYPE sportscar than this little SUV's its F-PACE cousin: there's a 360-degree grab handle for the passenger on the side of the centre console, just as in the F-TYPE, though the dash itself is arguably more futuristic. As on the F-PACE, there's a sports stick shifter, now restyled, with a larger stowage area just in front incorporating room for a wireless charging mat. In the rear, there's reasonably comfortable space for a couple of adults. And the boot is a spacious 577-litres in size in conventionally-engined models, thanks to the integral link suspension system chosen for the rear. That's also enabled the cargo floor to be low and the opening wide.

Market and Model

Prices start at just under £33,000 for the base D165 diesel manual model, but that's a bit misleading because virtually all E-PACE models sold going forward will have the brand's latest MHEV mild hybrid technology, which has to be had mated to AWD and automatic transmission. Prices for these electrified variants begin at around £36,000 with the D165 AWD auto version. Both D165 derivatives can be had with a base 'E-PACE' level of trim, but elsewhere in the range, you'll be choosing between 'S' and 'SE' levels of trim. The petrol models start at around £39,000. All these three spec options can be embellished with an 'R Dynamic' pack that delivers a sportier look, both inside and out. There's also an 'R-Dynamic Black' pack. But you won't need any of that with the top P300 petrol variant because that only comes in a fully kitted-out 'Sport' level of trim. Standard kit levels have of course increased to match this higher pricing. So you can expect to find the brand's latest 'Pivi Pro' infotainment system with its bigger 11.4-inch monitor and a 12.3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display screen in the instrument binnacle. Wireless 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone mirroring's also now included. Fresh options include a cabin ioniser, Jaguar's 'Clear Sight Interior Rear View Mirror' technology and the latest 3D Surround Camera tech. And of course the E-PACE features the very latest safety and driver assistance technologies. A stereo camera underpins the advanced Emergency Braking system, which also provides pedestrian detection, and supports the Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Speed Limiter and Driver Condition Monitor features. Front and Rear Parking Aids are standard on every variant. The camera also combines with the electric power assisted steering system to deliver a Blind Spot Assist function to help reduce the risk of sideswipe collisions on multi-lane roads. A Forward Traffic Detection system also warns drivers of approaching vehicles at junctions where visibility is restricted. Advanced active safety features include a pedestrian airbag, which deploys from beneath the trailing edge of the bonnet to enhance pedestrian protection in the event of a collision.

Cost of Ownership

The introduction of MHEV mild hybrid tech has made a decent difference to the E-PACE's running costs - and, unlike on the larger F-PACE, you can get this electrified tech with the petrol engines too. The MHEV system features a Belt integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) to harvest energy usually lost when slowing and braking. This energy is then stored in a separate 48V lithium-ion battery before being intelligently redeployed to assist the engine when accelerating away, as well as delivering a more refined stop/start system. Let's get to the WLTP-rated figures. The non-electrified D165 manual front-driven model manages 46.9mpg on the combined cycle and 158g/km of CO2. For the MHEV D165 AWD auto variant, the figures are 44.3mpg and 167g/km. As for the otheer MHEV models, well the D200 manages 43.9mpg and 169g/km, the P200 and P250 variants deliver 31.9mpg and 200g/km, while the P300 Sport manages 31.3mpg and 204g/km. That only leaves the P300e petrol PHEV Plug-in hybrid, which as we've said offers a 34 mile electric driving range and has official WLTP figures of 141mpg and 44g/km of CO2. Charging from a 7kW garage AC wallbox can be done from 0-80% in 1 hour and 24 minutes. DC fast-charging (up to 32kW) can reduce this 0-80% fill period to just half an hour. Charge from a domestic 3-pin plug via a Mode 2 cable and the process will take 6 hours and 42 minutes. Whatever E-PACE variant you decide upon, a three year unlimited mileage warranty is standard, although this can be extended with a number a couple of different plans that include a cover for an MOT test failure up to £750, as well as the normal cover for most electrical and mechanical systems. Service intervals are every two years/21,000 miles.

Summary

The E-PACE is one of the most significant cars that Jaguar has ever made. It was the first to be manufactured outside the UK. The first to attack the volume part of the SUV market. And the car that has pushed the brand's global annual sales beyond the 250,000 mark for the first time. It's attracted a whole new generation of customers to the company's showrooms and we can see why, combining as it does dynamic Jaguar body language with the fashionable practicality of a compact SUV. and now, we wouldn't disagree. Yes, if you judge it as a Jaguar, there are still questions to ask here. If though, you analyse this model's merit as a compact SUV, you'll find there's lots to like.

Body Glass

Heated windscreen

Heated washer jets

Variable front intermittent wipers

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Electric front/rear windows with one touch/auto up/down

Rear wash wiper

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electronic brake force distribution

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Emergency brake assist

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist

Torque vectoring brake

All surface progress control (ASPC)

Low friction launch

Emergency braking

Carpets/Rugs

Carpet mats

Chassis/Suspension

Configurable dynamics

Electric rear axle drive

Passive suspension

Communication

Voice control system

InControl remote

Android Auto

Apple car play

Wireless device charging

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control

Lane keep assist

Blind spot assist

Traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter

Eco driving style assistant

Speed proportional steering

Electric power assisted steering

Front and rear parking aid

Rear traffic monitor

Rear collision monitor

Jaguar drive control with adaptive surface response

Driver Convenience

Push button start

Emergency services call system

Driver Information

Outside temperature gauge

Trip computer

Driver condition monitor

Interactive driver display

11.4" touchscreen with central ICP

Pivi pro connected infotainment system with smart settings and navigation pro

Jaguar Toggle sport shift selector

Driving Mirrors

Electric heated/power fold memory door mirrors with approach lights and auto dimming driver side

Engine

Gasoline particulate filter

Large fuel tank

Entertainment

Bluetooth connectivity including audio streaming

Dynamic volume control

DAB digital audio broadcast

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Body coloured side sills

Fixed panoramic glass sunroof

Twin exhaust tailpipe

Metal load space scuff plates

R Dynamic body colour bumpers

R Dynamic badge

Jaguar script and leaper

Dark satin grille tips

Rear side wing doors

Body colour front and rear lower bumper main moulding and lower side cladding

Satin black grained front outer grille, low grill mesh and low bumper valence, side fender vent mesh and finisher, rear tow eye cover and grille mesh

Narvik black antenna pod and side pillar finisher

Body colour upper spoiler

Leaper for duo leather and embossed leaper for windsor leather

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

LED tail lights

Approach Illumination

3 flash lane change indicators

Rear fog lights

LED third brake light

Centre high-mounted stop light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Rear air vents

Two zone climate control

Interior Features

Leather steering wheel

Loadspace cover

Centre console with armrest

Twin front cupholders

Manual height/reach adjust steering wheel

Multifunction steering wheel

Satin chrome gearshift paddles

Ebony suede cloth headlining

Bright metal pedals

Windsor leather upholstery + sport seats

Power sockets

Luggage tie-downs in loadspace

Hooks loadspace

Loadspace storage net

Interior Lights

Overhead lighting console

Loadspace light

Enhanced ambient lighting

Premium cabin lighting

Packs

Online pack with data plan - E-Pace

Safety

Power child locks

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Height adjustable front seatbelts

Front side airbags

Front and rear curtain airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Child locks on rear doors

Front passenger airbag deactivation

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Customer configurable autolock

Front airbags with passenger seat occupant detector

Seats

ISOFIX on outer rear seats

3 rear head restraints

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Passive front head restraints

Rear bench seats

40:20:40 rear seat fold

Single front passenger seat

16 way heated and cooled, electric adj driver memory front seats with 2 way manual headrests and heated rear seats with centre armrest

Security

Locking wheel nuts

Remote central locking

Keyless entry

Intrusion sensor and alarm

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

7 kW onboard charger

Home charging cable Mode 2

Public charging cable Mode 3

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 402

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 132

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 30

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 32

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 6

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 60000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 15.5

NEDC Electricity Consumption kWh/100 km: N

NEDC Maximum EV Range Miles: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 59

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL: 59

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH: 58

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 36.7

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH: 36

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL: 36.7

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 11.5

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 32

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 35

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 35

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 37

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 83

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92.3

CC: 1498

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 12

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 1.5

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 1.5

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1.6

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 184.1

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 184.1

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 174.5

General

Coin Series: R-Dynamic HSE Black

Coin Description: P270e

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 40E

Service Interval Mileage: 10500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 105000

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: 120

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 269

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.3

Top Speed: 118

Engine Power - BHP: 269

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 198

Engine Power - RPM: 5000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 398

Engine Torque - NM: 540

Engine Torque - RPM: 2000

Engine Torque - MKG: 55.1

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/50 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 235/50 R20

Tyre Size Spare: N

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: STYLE 5120

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4395

Width: 1900

Wheelbase: 2681

Width (including mirrors): 2088

Height: 1648

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2098

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2670

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 57

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1600

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 572

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 494

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1170

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.6

Body Glass

Privacy glass

Brakes

Brake calipers in red

Driver Aids

3D surround camera

Driver Convenience

Powered gesture tailgate/boot lid

Driver Information

Head up Display

Driving Mirrors

ClearSight interior rear view mirror

Entertainment

Meridian surround sound system

Exterior Body Features

Silver roof rails

Black contrast roof

Gloss black roof rails

Premium metallic paint

Illuminated metal treadplates with brand name script

Chrome side window surrounds

Pearlescent paint

Metallic paint

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

Pixel LED headlights with signature DRL, front and rear animated directional indicators

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Cabin Air Purification System

Interior Features

Additional power sockets - Two additional USB sockets in rear centre console and one 12V socket in trunk

Heated steering wheel

Packs

Vision Pack - E-Pace HSE

Entertainment pack - E-Pace

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Portofino blue

Metallic - Santorini black

Metallic - Eiger grey

Metallic - Firenze red

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Ostuni white

Paint - Solid

Solid - Fuji white

Paint - Special

Premium metallic - Carpathian grey

Security

Secure tracker pro

Secure tracker

Towing

Electrically deployable towbar

Trim - Leather

Windsor leather with sports seats - Cloud, Ebony/Cloud colourway

Windsor leather with sports seats - Deep Garnet, Ebony/Deep Garnet colourway

Windsor leather with sports seats - Ebony, Ebony/Ebony colourway

Wheels

Self sealing tyres

All season tyres

Wheels - Alloy

18" diamond turned with satin black contrast alloy wheels - Style 5118

19" satin dark grey alloy wheels - Style 5119

19" diamond turned with satin dark grey contrast alloy wheels - Style 5119

20" gloss black alloy wheels - Style 5051

Wheels - Spare

Reduced section steel spare wheel

Tyre repair kit