Overview

The pace of change in the electric car market is astonishing. When it was launched in 2018, the Jaguar I-Pace pretty much had the EV premium SUV market to itself – with just the larger, more expensive Tesla Model X offering any meaningful opposition. Today, it’s up against a barrage of rivals, many of which are hugely desirable.

With rivals such as the Polestar 2, Audi Q8 E-Tron, BMW iX3, Genesis GV60 and Mercedes-Benz EQC, nipping at the heels of the Jaguar, it needs to be very good to compete. Jaguar concentrated on delivering a rewarding driving experience for its (one and only) electric SUV, and as you’ll discover, it still delivers – but it’s definitely showing its age, especially in terms of range, efficiency and reliability.

It’s still eye-catching inside and out. The dashboard gets two big, but also cleverly integrates traditional buttons for the most important controls like the heating and suspension settings. Its Pivi Pro infotainment system banishes the memories of poor Jaguar systems of old, while elsewhere boasts some high quality leather and wood interior finishes that make it an inviting place to sit.

There’s only one power unit on offer. So the different trim levels simply add the bells and whistles. The standard S comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, and a premium sound system, while the SE adds 20-inch wheels and a powered tailgate. The range-topping HSE brings you a Meridian 3D surround sound system, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

With a minor spec update in 2021 to keep things fresh, the I-Pace still looks very much the futuristic family SUV it always did. And with an improved range (to a claimed 292 miles) and faster charging, it offers a reasonable proposition for discerning EV owners – but more sophisticated EV powertrains are available elsewhere, and for less money.

Is that enough for it to be a car we’d wholeheartedly recommend? Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the Jaguar I-Pace, including its practicality, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.