2018 Jaguar E-Pace SUV Crossover Review & Ratings

Performance

The 2018 E-Pace compact crossover SUV is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine with two different configurations. The base trim has an output of 246 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque while the higher-end trim has an output of 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is standard for all trims. With the more powerful engine under the hood, the power band was wide and turbo lag was nonexistent. It took a little less than six and a half seconds to launch to 60 mph, which was faster than its rivals. The transmission shifted gears smoothly and there was no noticeable delay when accelerating faster. In driving through narrow country roads, the handling was composed through twists and turns. However, the compact yet tall stature resulted in body roll when attempting to go faster at corners. The steering was responsive and the weight felt progressive when choosing sporty driving modes. The brakes were capable but they felt overly sensitive upon initially pressing down the pedal. It took 130 feet to stop from 60 mph, while its rivals took less than that distance. The pedal was firm but the initial response gave the illusion of a strong bite from the calipers.

Technology

The P250 and P300 R-Dynamic trims are primarily distinguished by the outputs of their engines. They are further divided into four trim levels, which are the base, S, SE, and HSE (P300 R-Dynamic only). The base trim comes with LED headlights, selectable drive modes, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, five USB ports, an infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker sound system, and several advanced safety and driver aids. The S trim adds LED running lights, power-adjustable front seats, navigation, Wi-Fi, Jaguar’s InControl smartphone integration, and more advanced safety and driver aids. The SE trim adds a power liftgate, upgraded power-adjustable front seats, an 11-speaker Meridian sound system, and more advanced safety and driver aids. The P300 R-Dynamic starts with the S trim and for all models, they come with the same features and also include an upgraded rear differential and front foglights. The HSE trim includes a hands-free liftgate, keyless entry, front seat memory settings, and a digital instrument cluster. Features that come standard with the HSE trim are available as options in the S and SE trims. The Climate Control package adds heating for the front seats, the steering wheel, and the windshield. The Drive package includes several advanced safety and driver aids, an 11-speaker Meridian sound system, and adaptive suspension dampers. The First Edition is only offered for the first year of release of the E-Pace and has the same engine as the P250 trim but with all the features from the P300 R-Dynamic. It also comes with Jaguar’s Activity Key, a heads-up display, satellite and HD radio.

Safety

The 2018 E-Pace is a new model from Jaguar. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not released their official safety ratings for the vehicle yet. Advanced safety and driver aids that come standard for the base trim include front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning and mitigation, and low-speed automatic braking. More features are added in higher trim levels such as an automated parking system, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

Appearance

The 2018 E-Pace has a length of 173 inches, a width of 78.1 inches, a height of 64.9 inches, and a wheelbase of 105.6 inches. The aesthetic of the E-Pace is adherent to the current design language of Jaguar. The front grille and lower vents dominate the front fascia and are flanked by simple yet sleek headlights. The sloping roofline forms a hatchback-like silhouette and the taillights are similar to Jaguar’s sports car offerings. The base trim comes standard with 17-inch wheels but only the higher trim levels enjoy options up to 21-inch wheels. The sunroof and roof rails only become available starting with the S trim. Black accents to the front, side, and rear only become available starting with the S trim. The First Edition is distinguished by its unique red paint and the design of the wheels.

Comfort

Being Jaguar’s smallest SUV offering, there was no significant change in height to overcome when getting inside. The doors opened wide enough and no hindrance was encountered when entering the cabin. The space for both the first and second rows was adequate, although passengers beyond six feet in height may have their head and knees against the interior trim. Five passengers can be accommodated by the two rows of seats inside. The seats were comfortable during long drives and the leather upholstery complemented the experience. The range of adjustability in the front seats allowed most passengers to attain a satisfactory seating position. The ride quality was still compliant over rough patches despite the sporty handling traits. It definitely felt firm but bumps and cracks are dampened enough to not disturb the stability. Choosing the bigger wheels, however, may feel more jarring to the ride. Road and wind noise are muted well and weren’t distracting to the ambiance inside the cabin.

Cargo

There is 24.2 cu-ft of space behind the second row of seats, and folding them down opens up 52.7 cu-ft of space available for cargo.