2024 Jaguar E-Pace

Overview

While it serves as the kitten in Jaguar’s litter of SUVs, the 2024 E-Pace offers the same style and driving verve that the brand’s other products are known for. It’s a small package that competes with the likes of the BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40, but parked next to those square-shaped crossovers, the E-Pace looks positively couture. The sleek style continues in the cabin, but that’s also where the E-Pace’s compromises start. Its rear seat is less spacious than its rivals’, and adult passengers will feel the pinch. Its 246-hp turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain disappoints too, delivering pokier acceleration and lower mpg than the competition. But if you can accept its drawbacks, you’ll find yourself driving one of the most fashionable offerings in the segment.

What’s New for 2024?

Jaguar has amped up the E-Pace’s standard features list for 2024 considerably, with a fixed panoramic glass roof, the upgraded Pivi Pro infotainment interface, 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, a built-in remote garage door opener, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The Black Exterior package is now standard as well, which adds darkened accents to the SUV’s exterior design.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The E-Pace is offered exclusively in the R-Dynamic SE trim level, and there’s little else to choose from besides exterior colors and a handful of options. Standard equipment includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with satin chrome shift paddles, heated front seats with 12-way power adjustments, a Meridian stereo system, and a host of driver-assist features such as emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot assist.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

As with most crossovers in this class, the E-Pace is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder. Its engine generates 246 horsepower, is mated to a nine-speed automatic, and offers all-wheel drive as standard. During our last stint in the E-Pace, we chastised its transmission for being indecisive at lower speeds but ultimately found that the powertrain’s refined manner kept the cabin serene. The E-Pace that we tested back in 2018 weighed in at a heavier curb weight than some rivals with turbo-four engines, a demerit that still holds true today. Nonetheless, the E-Pace proved especially comfortable, with soft damping that absorbed road imperfections well and did a good job isolated passengers from nasty jolts. While its 20-inch wheels thudded over choppy roads, the ride quality otherwise upheld the company’s luxury mission. Its well-controlled body motions made it feel downright playful during a comparison test against the BMW X2 and the Volvo XC40. The Jag finished last in this test, but it was named the most fun to drive.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The E-Pace isn’t the thriftiest subcompact luxury crossover, with lower fuel economy estimates than many of its all-wheel-drive rivals. The E-Pace earned EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, though we’ve yet to take it out on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. For more information about the E-Pace’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The E-Pace’s interior surrounds the driver with a sloping dashboard design that puts all controls easily within reach. Quality materials line the cabin and include convincing faux-leather upholstery and metal accents. All models come with heated front seats with 12-way power adjustability, a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a fixed panoramic glass roof. Unfortunately, the back seat is snug for adults of above-average frame. Behind the E-Pace’s rear seats lies a cargo bay big enough to fit six carry-on suitcases.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The E-Pace’s infotainment system is channeled through a curved 11.4-inch touchscreen mounted in the middle of the dashboard. All E-Paces come with Jaguar-Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment interface, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and accepts over-the-air updates. Along with abundant USB ports and 12-volt outlets, the E-Pace also offers a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Meridian stereo system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The E-Pace offers loads of driver-assistance technology–such as traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter, front and rear park assist, and rear cross-traffic monitoring–most of which is standard equipment. For more information about the E-Pace’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking and blind spot monitoring
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Jaguar provides exemplary limited and powertrain warranty coverage that is highlighted by lengthy complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for five years or 60,000 miles

More Features and Specs

Source: www.caranddriver.com