Jaguar E-Pace

While the Jaguar E-Pace is a sporty and captivating design from the outside, the cabin of this compact SUV lacks the aura and modernity which people expect from a compact luxury vehicle in such fast-changing times. The cabin surely is of a higher quality order, however, the layout has now started to show its age. However, the dual-tone black and beige upholstery and the massive fixed panoramic glass roof enhance the sense of airiness in the cabin.

The three-spoke steering wheel and the three-pod analogue instrument console lack the flashiness of a driver’s cockpit with a TFT instrument console. However, one can opt for a full TFT panel at a premium, which we highly recommend. The wraparound theme for the centre console design, which is finished in a theme of black, houses a wide 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is neatly tucked in the middle and gets a simple-looking set of rounded dials for climate control. The lower part of the centre console looks minimalist with a stubby gear lever and a small storage space ahead of it.

From its stance and looks, the Jaguar E-Pace looks like a mini version of the bigger F-Pace SUV. The heightened stance and rounded profile of the E-Pace give it a different look as compared to other SUVs, which makes it look aerodynamic – a positive statement for an SUV.

The sporty Jaguar E-Pace welcomes one with its bold rounded grille at the front, which gets honeycomb mesh grille and is flanked with sweptback LED headlamps with J-styled LED daytime running lamps. At a small premium, the Jaguar E-Pace can also be specced with Matrix LED headlamps and animated directional turn indicators. The front bumper gets sporty air intakes in the same way as the F-Pace.

The rounded roofline and a smooth curvy design for the bonnet and haunches over the rear fenders give the Jaguar E-Pace a very sporty persona when viewed from the sides. The large 19-inch wheels, which can be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch optional wheels, do give it a good squatted stance. The chrome signature element wearing the Jaguar nameplate on the front fenders adds an elegant touch to the side profile.

At the rear too, the E-Pace is unmistakably a Jaguar in its appearance, with a sharply raked rear windscreen and horizontally laid out a sleek-looking set of LED tail lamps with tapered inner edges. What adds even more sportiness to the rear profile of the Jaguar E-Pace is the presence of dual rounded exhaust ports with one on either side and a big roof spoiler.

Jaguars are always known for their sharp driving dynamics, and the E-Pace is no exception. This compact SUV gets all-wheel drive, active driveline technology, low traction launch and all surface progress control, all of which work together to give it precise control in spirited driving conditions. The SUV can be equipped with an optional adaptive dynamics system and optional configurable dynamics system for a more involving driving experience.

The Jaguar E-Pace is offered with two engine options – one petrol and one diesel – both of which are 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engines and are offered in three different states of tune. The petrol engine is available in three configurations to choose from – 200 PS/320 Nm, 249 PS/365 Nm and 300 PS/400 Nm. The same goes for the diesel engine as well, as it too has three different configurations on offer – 150 PS/380 Nm, 180 PS/430 Nm and 240 PS/500 Nm. Transmission options on offer across the range are a 6-speed manual in lower variants and a standard 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The Jaguar E-Pace is an SUV of current day and age, which is quite visible in its extensive list of driving aids and safety features. The compact SUV is armed with a host of safety equipment like emergency braking, lane keep assist, driver condition monitor, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, high-speed emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring system, rear traffic monitor, park assist, dynamic stability control, electronic traction control, engine drag torque control, hill start assist, cornering brake control, roll stability control, ABS with EBD and brake assist and six airbags.

For those who love driving most of the time, look no further, as the Jaguar E-Pace offers an unparalleled driving experience. The compact SUV looks nicer on the outside, and while the interior can look boring for some, it can be equipped with optional extras to make it feel more special.