Should you buy one?

The I-Pace is a good car to drive with a pleasant interior, handsome looks and the prestige of that big cat badge. We think it’s been soundly overtaken by rivals now, however, and is showing its age compared with other models. Not just expected players like the Mercedes-Benz EQE, Tesla Model 3 or Audi Q8 E-Tron Sportback – but by cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, which offer more convincing electric motoring than the Jag does at a lower cost.

The I-Pace is well finished, but a limited range compared to the best as well as questionable reliability (and some very well-publicised owner woes) mean it’s difficult to recommend compared to the best EVs on sale.

What we like

Inside, the quality is good. If you’re a traditional Jaguar buyer you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything, despite the I-Pace being built in Austria. The electronic dashboard is easy to use and eye catching. While the roomy interior will satisfy those who regularly carry people in the rear as well as the front.

It’s also really fun to drive, which is another genuine surprise, given the largely two-dimensional nature of electric cars with this kind of performance. They’re generally all-wheel drive and although very grippy, not particularly entertaining. The I-Pace breaks this mould with a chassis that feels alive to your inputs and always ready to tuck its nose in while cornering.

What we don’t like

Most concerning is the car’s apparent lack of reliability and quality, with owners and users being far from impressed. It’s also an expensive car, and the manufacturer-backed PCP finance deals aren’t that competitive. But shop around for good lease deals, and the I-Pace becomes a reasonably competitive monthly proposition. 

The public charging set-up doesn’t compete with the Tesla Supercharger network. Which is a shame, because the I-Pace really is a desirable electric car. If you rarely need to charge in public, this is much less of an issue.