• Adequate rear leg space, but plenty of headroom
• Bit cramped for five, rear access also tight
• Boot space is competitive but not class leading

How much space is there?

The Jaguar E-Pace isn’t a huge SUV so front seat passengers naturally do better for room, but those in the back may start to grumble on longer trips. There’s plenty of headroom for all, but there’s little foot space underneath the front seats and a limited amount of room for legs to stretch out.

Two adults will fit comfortably enough to cover a long journey in here, but they may want to get out and stretch after 90 minutes or so. The middle pew is best reserved for shorter people, and the car’s high window line can make rear passengers feel a little hemmed in. Access is quite narrow as well, which could be awkward for larger adults or when having to wrestle with child seats.

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Considering the E-Pace looks even shorter than a Range Rover Evoque from the outside, it shouldn’t be too surprising. Just hope whoever sits in the front seats are less than 6ft tall to balance space between you.

Boot space and storage

On the whole the Jaguar E-Pace’s seats-up boot is competitive with its rivals, the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque. A powered tailgate is standard on higher-spec SE models and upwards, while a gesture-operated tailgate can be optioned on all, which, is opened and closed using a kicking motion under the car’s bumper.

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It’s a useful shape too – wide and free of intrusion thanks to compact rear suspension components, but the loadspace is marginally smaller than rivals with the standard 60:40 seats down. If outright capacity is a priority, you might be better served elsewhere.

For extra utility there’s a 1,800kg braked towing capacity on some all-wheel drive cars providing you specify one of the optional tow bars – there are electronically deployable or detachable versions.

In terms of storage space, you get two cupholders up front, a generously-sized lockable glove box addding a further 10.1 litres of space, and the door bins that almost run the length of their panels come with moulded bottle holders.

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There’s a huge square 8.4-litre stowage compartment beneath the central armrest with an integrated 12-volt socket, and a removable rubberised tray that holds and grips onto a smartphone – it’s a simple, yet genuinely useful touch. The grippy cupholders on either side will struggle to accommodate aluminium drinks bottles, but the door bins can take care of that.

Those sat in the rear have storage nets on the backs of the front seats, smaller door bins and a centre armrest with integrated cupholders and a shallow storage box. There’s also a 12v power socket.

Is it easy to park?

SUVs come in all shapes and sizes these days and the Jaguar E-Pace is one of a growing list to offer off-road styling and height without the associated oversized exterior dimensions.

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Rival cars such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque are actually a little longer thanks to the E-Pace’s sporty short overhangs, but the squat profile means the Jaguar is wider too.

Parking is therefore a bit of a mixed bag – you’ll need a decent amount of space left and right but at least the front bumper won’t be hanging over the white line. At least you get front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard on all models.

How big is it?

How safe is it?

• Five-star Euro NCAP rating for the E-Pace
• Based on five-star Evoque and Discovery Sport
• Lots of safety kit included, plus optional extras

The Jaguar E-Pace was tested by Euro NCAP at the end of 2017 and awarded five stars for its crash-test performance. It’s based on the same underpinnings as the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, both of which are five star cars, and the manufacturer says it’s been engineered to exceed worldwide safety standards.

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As a family-orientated SUV you’d expect it to come with loads of standard safety gadgets, and there’s:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane keep assist
• Driver condition monitor
• Power operated child locks

There are two Isofix points on the rear seats and also a special airbag that deploys at speeds between 16-31mph to cover the base of the windscreen in the event of the car hitting a pedestrian. This tech offering improves as you climb the E-Pace ladder, plus there are things like super-bright matrix LED headlights available as an option.