• Much more modern looking cabin
• Two big screens control most things
• Large digital cockpit instead of dials

How is the quality and layout?

First impressions of the I-Pace’s interior are that it’s great-looking and modern, although a smattering of wood and leather (in certain models) will no doubt please fans of the firm. That’s not to say it doesn’t look like an attractive dashboard, with a trio of screens where one might ordinarily expect to see traditional analogue dials and physical buttons.

Those screens made their debut in the Range Rover Velar and proved to be easy to use, but prone to greasy fingerprints, disturbing the slick aesthetics.

The controls are logically laid-out, and the touchpoints all feel better than standard Jaguar products. So, the column stalks, which are basically the same as the rest of the Jaguar lineup, but have additional chrome inserts, which make them feel nicer to use.

Infotainment and tech

Jaguar’s latest infotainment system is swish. There’s a 10.0-inch touchscreen with Jaguar’s Pivi Pro software installed that’s designed to work like a smartphone. Anyone au fait with a mobile will quickly navigate their way around it. However, compared with the larger, more finger-friendly screens now fitted to the latest Jaguar Land Rover products, it does feel a bit cramped – there’s less real estate than, say, a BMW iX3 or Audi Q8 E-Tron, which highlight’s the car’s basic age, if nothing else.

The angle the screen is set at plus its very reflective coating also leaves it susceptible to reflections. Technical highlights include over-the-air updates and the ability to connect two phones to it via Bluetooth. Perfect for the buccaneering entrepreneur with multiple devices.

68

Comfort

• Lots of room and light
• Very comfortable overall
• Front seats are supremely supportive

In terms of interior comfort, the I-Pace scores highly. The front seats are supportive and well-shaped, while the rear is as roomy as you’d expect in what Jaguar describes as an SUV. Despite the adventurous roofline, there’s plenty of headroom in the rear, and even with a panoramic roof, there’s more than enough up front.

As usual in an electric car, there is no transmission tunnel as such. So, there is plenty of space for feet and legs, especially in the rear passenger compartment. It’s not as roomy as something like a Skoda Superb, but compared with other more premium players, such as the BMW iX3 and i4 it’s more than acceptable.