By Autoreviewman
To capitalise on the hot premium SUV segment, esteemed British based – Indian owned car maker Jaguar has come up with the newest Jaguar SUV, the five-seat, compact-sized E-Pace. With some DNA from the Range Rover Evoque, and Land Rover Discovery Sport, the new E-Pace fits right at home in Jaguars portfolio. With fluid, flowing lines, the E-Pace’s manages to carve its own identity with a different front fascia, much bolder grille, unique headlights, and a sleek profile.
The E-Pace lineup in Canada, offers two models – base ($42,700) and R-Dynamic $51,000) with a trio of trim packages (S, SE, HSE) that offer differing levels of equipment. There is also a special order First Edition version ($59,000).The E-Pace arrives with Jaguar’s 2.0-litre turbocharged all-aluminum Ingenium gas engine in two states of tune-, P250 (246 hp / 269 lb-ft.) and P300 (296 hp / 295 lb-ft.). Transmission is via a 9-speed automatic gearbox with standard All Wheel Drive.
The E-Pace interior offers a high class ambience with smart leather seats and trim, a meaty steering wheels and high quality fit and finish all around The front cabin is roomy in all directions, while the rear offers somewhat shorter legroom – a commonality in compact SUVs, although headroom is fine. The rear seats split 60/40- and allow for 52.5 cu.-ft. when they are folded, and provide 24.2 cubic-feet of cargo capacity when they are upright.
According to Jaguar, the E-Pace can do the 0-100 km/h dash in a sprightly 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of 243 km/h. And it is not hard to believe, the E-Pace does offer impressive acceleration with a satisfying bark from the exhausts. The E-Pace also delivers impressive handling for an SUV, almost sports-car like with it dynamic responses. Performance minded driver will no doubt choose the R-Dynamic S model as tested with the upgraded Active Driveline all-wheel-drive system that can allow almost all the engines torque (295 pound-feet) to transfer to either the front or rear axles in extreme conditions. During normal driving, the Active Driveline system disengages the AWD system, sending power only to the front axle. When a change in driving conditions is detected AWD activates in a super quick 300 milliseconds. Fuel economy is rated at 11.2/8.6/10.1 L/100 km city/highway/combined.
Fast, agile and satisfying to drive, the E-Pace offers everything you could possible desire in a premium SUV.
2019 Jaguar E-Pace Priced from: $51,000. R-Dynamic P300 S model as tested with options and destination charge $64,110.
WEBSITE: Jaguar.ca
