JAGUAR

I-Pace

The all-electric Jaguar I-Pace delivers outstanding performance figures and its impressive range dispels any range anxiety fears. It looks amazing, boasts exhilarating driving dynamics, is packed with technology and is good for the planet too. Quite an all-rounder then.

The good

Styling, driving dynamics, range and on-board technology

The bad

Poor visibility through rear screen

Tech Specs

Price from

£69,995

Combined Fuel up to

Range 292 miles

0-62 from

4.8 seconds

max speed up to

124mph

co2 from

0g/km (e-Niro)

Test Drive

Jaguar I-Pace R-Dynamic HSE EV400 (2023)

You have to hand it to Jaguar as their design team has once again come up trumps with the arrival of the latest fully electrified I-Pace.

Since launching back in 2019, the dynamically-styled five-door SUV has scooped more than 90 global awards and now it boasts added appeal following a mild makeover this year.

With prices starting from £69,995, the I-Pace is available in trims called R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE Black and R-Dynamic HSE Black, along with new 400 SPORT derivative that is only available in the UK.

We opted for the high-end R-Dynamic HSE Black for our test drive, costing £77,495, increased to £83,775 with options factored in.

So, not cheap, but for that outlay you do get a whole lot of car and you are guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.

New design tweaks see a front ‘shield’ grille that is now completely smooth and in an attractive Atlas Grey shade rather than the black patterned styling on the previous car. It also houses the new black and silver Jaguar badge.

In addition, the front bumper, lower door finishers and rear diffuser are now body-coloured rather than gloss black and there is a discreet rear spoiler. Our test model had a black contrast roof, door handles flush to the body, matrix lights, black mirror caps and upgraded 22-inch black alloy wheel.

The interior is beautifully designed with premium upholstery and fixtures throughout. The seats are powered, heated, ventilated and feature a memory setting. And the steering wheel can also be warmed against the winter chill.

The main focal point and nerve centre of the cockpit is the latest Jaguar Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen and this offers access to the many on-board systems, including sat nav, a premium Meridian sound system, smartphone connectivity, integrated Alexa voice control, Bluetooth and plenty more besides.

Below this screen, there are ‘proper’ dials to control the climate system, along with a compact touchscreen. There is a fully configurable driver display screen behind the steering wheel offering all the vital data such as speed, driving range and navigational directions, plus a clear head-up display so you can keep your eyes totally focused on the road ahead.

The I-Pace is powered by a 90kWh battery that drives two electric motors – one on each axle – for all-wheel drive. There is 400PS along with 696Nm of torque at your disposal which translates into some pretty exciting performance stats with the car completing the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 124mph. That’s not too bad for a vehicle tipping the scales at 2.1 tonnes.

The acceleration out the starting blocks is rapid and the power through the single-speed transmission is unrelenting as the I-Pace eats up motorway miles for fun, effortlessly cruising at 70mph. The range will drop fairly quickly at higher speeds, but with a WLTP-tested 292 miles between charges, it should never pose any issues regarding range anxiety.

With the positioning of the battery beneath the floor, the I-Pace has a low centre of gravity and this is apparent when fizzing through twisting country lanes. It’s perfectly balanced with excellent grip and no sign of body sway into or out of tight bends.

In more congested city centres, it is deceptively agile to manoeuvre and the only real downside of note is the poor visibility through the narrow, steeply raked rear screen.

Drive modes called Eco, Comfort and Dynamic alter the handling of the car with Dynamic certainly adding an edge, while Eco is more practical when trying to recoup some range. In addition, there is an AdSR setting which stands for Advance Surface Response and this is recommended in more testing driving conditions such as snow, ice and heavy rain.

Special mention to the refinement levels too with occupants protected from any noise intrusion and also cushioned against any bumps and dips along the way.

The I-Pace also copes well on the practicality front with ample space for a couple of six footers up front and in the back where there are generous levels of leg, head and elbow room.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate, with gesture control on the test car, and it can swallow 656 litres of luggage, increasing to 1,453 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat. An area beneath the boot floor is ideal for storing the charging cables and there is additional space beneath the bonnet too.

Throughout the cabin are a number of convenient storage options, including a deep cubby bin, door pockets with space for a bottle, a locking and cooled glovebox, a wireless charging pad, front and rear cup holders, seat back nets and some trays.

When it comes to charging the I-Pace to 100 per cent using a standard 7kW wallbox, it takes 12 hours, 45 minutes, while fast charging can be used and that takes about 45 minutes.

The vehicle offers the reassurance of AWD and can tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg with the driver able to raise or lower the ground clearance at the press of a button.

When you also factor in the wealth of safety equipment and driver assistance aids that helped the I-Pace secure a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, this really is the complete package for anyone in the market for a high-end premium EV that copes with all the needs of an active family, while also keeping an eye on the environment.

Test Drive

Jaguar I-PACE 400PS Electric HSE

It’s a fact that pace runners are leaders of the pack and that’s exactly what Jaguar is doing with its new all-electric, luxury SUV that’s aptly named the I-PACE.

Currently in its slipstream are all sorts of potential rivals mainly from the German marques and most recently the Audi e-tron. But it’s Jaguar who delivered first and first impressions count.

The I-PACE is a beautifully proportioned and dynamically styled SUV with sports car handling credentials and all the on-board technology you could possibly wish for. Prices start from £63,495 (not including the Government EV grant) and would-be buyers can select from four trim levels called S, SE, HSE and First Edition.

The I-PACE is an instant attention-grabber guaranteed to stop onlookers dead in their tracks. It simply oozes class taking its inspiration from the C-X75 supercar with a short, low bonnet, an aero-enhanced roof design and curved rear screen. There are active vanes in the grille that open when cooling is required but close again when not required and so redirect air through the bonnet scoop, smoothing out the airflow. Other stand-out design features include 20-inch alloys, a fixed panoramic sunroof, flush door handles that push out when the car is unlocked and automatically slide back into place as the car moves away, privacy glass, a tailgate spoiler and Matrix LED headlights.

Step inside and the charming cockpit is beautifully designed with the finest materials incorporated to create an elegant cabin environment with a wealth of technology at your disposal. The I-PACE is the first vehicle from the Jaguar Land Rover stable to finally get smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – other models will follow in 2019.

Other creature comforts include a 12.3-inch touchscreen where all the infotainment systems are easily accessed such as Jaguar’s Touch Go Pro set-up with full navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth and ambient lighting. A lower screen is where all the climate control settings can be found and the instrument panel behind the steering wheel can be personalised according to taste and offers all sorts of data regarding charging, regenerative braking, power outputs and, of course, driving range limits.

Comfort levels are truly sublime with Windsor leather sports seats that can be power adjusted, heated or cooled. The slightly elevated seating position means the driver benefits from a clear view of the road ahead, but the small rear windscreen and large B pillars do impact on all-round visibility a little.

Our I-PACE in HSE trim had a price-tag of £74,445 but a number of optional extras bumped up the final cost to £78,010, before the Government’s £3,500 EV grant has been deducted.

When it comes to performance, ‘Pace’ is the perfect name for this car. Powered by a 90kWh battery which drives two electric motors delivering 400hp and 696Nm of torque, it can fire its way to 60mph from a standing start in just 4.5 seconds and maxes out at 124mph. Clearly not a car for the faint-hearted then.

Being an EV the power and acceleration is instant – you don’t have to wait for the revs to gradually build up. Simply touch the accelerator and go. The road holding is beautifully assured and car feels well balanced even when being pushed into tight corners at speed. That’s because the battery is positioned centrally between the two axles and as low down as possible, thus creating perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity for dynamic handling ability.

There are different driving modes that alter the way the I-PACE reacts called Rain, Ice, Snow; Eco; Comfort and Dynamic which really livens things up and is aptly illustrated by a chequered flag. In addition, the all-wheel-drive and all-surface traction deliver extra grip when driving in more challenging weather conditions.

It would be fair to say that the I-PACE is no lightweight weighing in at just over 2.1 tonnes, but it feels firmly planted with precise steering and ample driver feedback. And it’s worth noting too that the vehicle is very capable off-road.

As is the case with EVs, regenerative braking plays a big part in maximising energy levels and there are different levels of regeneration on the I-PACE. If the highest level is selected, you barely need to touch the brakes at all. Jaguar claims the car has a ‘real world’ driving range of 292 miles although this would be in ideal conditions. The figure would be reduced considerably if driven hard and during colder winter months. But it’s still an impressive range and should eliminate any range anxiety issues.

And there are financial benefits to the zero CO2 emissions figure. The car would be exempt from VED and congestion charges. That said; there will be a £310 annual fee due to its cost being above the £40k luxury car threshold.

SUVs need to be practical and the I-PACE ticks that box too. There is ample room for four adults to travel in style (five at a squeeze) and back seat passengers are treated to heated seats. There is a number of USB ports throughout the car along with 4G WiFi for up to eight devices, so it would be easy to stay connected on the move.

The boot capacity of 656 litres can be increased to 1,453 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat and there is a further 27-litre storage compartment beneath the bonnet – after all there’s no need for an engine.

Charging depends on the supply used. For example, the car can be charged up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes on a DC 100kW charger; it takes 10 hours on an AC 7kW charger to reach 80 per cent or 12.9 hours to a full charge on an AC 7kW point.

Another factor that the I-PACE excels in is safety where it was awarded the maximum five stars when it was tested for its Euro NCAP rating. It’s the 10^thconsecutive vehicle from JLR to secure a top score. It is jam-packed with safety features and driver aids to protect occupants and pedestrians alike, as well as helping to prevent accidents occurring in the first place.

All in all, the Jaguar I-PACE is the ultimate proof that EVs can be beautifully styled, packed with the latest innovative technology and still deliver blisteringly quick driving dynamics. Yes, they are pricey to buy, but they are great fun to drive and are also good for our planet.

Visit Jaguar for more details