2020 Jaguar E-Pace Review: P250 Checkered Flag

In 2016, Jaguar caused quite a stir when it entered the fast-growing world of premium SUVs with the midsize F-Pace. And the product development people at the Coventry headquarters liked it so much that they made another one.

The compact E-Pace (and subsequent electric I-Pace) moved the brand from luxury sedans, station wagons and sports cars to SUVs, which now lead brand and product sales.

The F-Pace is a beautifully built five-seater. Does this smaller E-Pace package do even more good things?    

2020 Jaguar E-PACE: D180 Checkered FLG AWD (132 кВт)
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Diesel
Fuel efficiency	6l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$55,700

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

The Jaguar E-Pace Checkered Flag P63,600 costs $250, excluding travel expenses, and competes with an impressive group of European and Japanese compact SUVs such as the Audi Q3 40 TFSI Quattro S Line ($61,900), BMW X1, 25 xDrive64,900i ($300), Lexus NX61,700 F Sport ($250), Mercedes-Benz GLA 4Matic ($63,000), and Range Rover Evoque P200 S ($62,670). All hard nuts, and all AWD except the front wheel drive Lexus.

And once you hit the $60-$10 bar, it's fair to expect a long list of standard features, and aside from the safety and powertrain technologies detailed in the Safety and Driving sections, the Checkered Flag class at the top of the pyramid provides a fixed panoramic sunroof. , grained leather seating (with contrast stitching), 10-way adjustable power heated sports front seats, dual-zone climate control and a XNUMX-inch Touch Pro media screen (with swipe, pinch and zoom controls). ), audio control (including digital radio), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, satellite navigation and more.

The top of the checkered flag pyramid configuration is equipped with a fixed panoramic glass sunroof.

Other ticked boxes include "Black Exterior Package", adaptive cruise control, 19" alloy wheels, heated and power outside mirrors (with proximity lights), rain sensing wipers, automatic LED headlights, LED DRLs, fog lights ( front and rear) plus taillights, power tailgate, 'Ebony' headlining, 'R-Dynamic' leather steering wheel, black shift paddles, keyless entry and start, 'Checkered Flag' metal treadplates and bright metal pedals. 

Our "Photon Red" test unit was also equipped with a head-up display ($1630), a Meridian audio system ($1270), privacy glass ($690), and rear animated turn signals ($190).

In fact, the Jaguar E-Pace's options list is filled with individual features and packages, but the standard equipment provides good value for money and competition in the category. 

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

Ian Callum. Jaguar's design director for 20 years, from 1999 to 2019, has evolved the brand's look from traditional and conservative to cool and modern without abandoning the traditional baby with new designer bathwater.

The E-Pace follows Jaguar's signature design template.

The E-Pace will be one of the last Jaguars to appear under his full-time direction (Callum remains a Jaguar consultant), and during its 2018 global launch, he aimed to highlight the car's gender neutrality by summing it up. as: “Not too noble; muscular and curvaceous at the same time.

And it's hard to argue with that. The E-Pace follows Jaguar's signature design pattern found in revolutionary models such as the F-Type sports car and the larger F-Pace SUV.

Black 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels emphasize the vehicle's sporty look.

At just under 4.4 meters long, the E-Pace is smaller than regular midsize SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4, but it's noticeably wider, giving it a larger footprint and athletic posture.

Ultra-short front and rear overhangs and black 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels reinforce this impression while emphasizing the relatively long wheelbase of 2681mm.

The dark Checkered Flag grille grilles and long, pointed LED headlights create a recognizable cat face.

Dark Checkered Flag mesh grilles on the nose and long, tapering LED headlights complemented by 'J' shaped LED DRLs along their outer edges create a recognizable cat face, while dark accents on the fender grilles and window surrounds add extra air. intensity.

A coupe-like sloping roofline, pointed side windows and wide fenders accentuate the dynamic look of the E-Pace, while long, narrow, horizontal taillights and thick chrome tailpipes are all modern Jaguar hallmarks.

A thick exhaust pipe with chrome tips is the current hallmark of Jaguar.

The interior feels just as tightly wrapped and meticulously designed as the exterior, with gauges, a multimedia screen and controls clearly oriented towards the driver.

The interior feels just as tightly wrapped and carefully crafted as the exterior.

In fact, a distinctive defining edge runs down from the top of the dash, around the center console and across the console, forming a buttress barrier (complete with left hand grip) between driver and front passenger.

And if you still associate Jags with walnut veneer interiors, think again. Discreet Noble Chrome trim accentuates the shifter trim, dash and other details on the dashboard and doors. 

The vertical sport shifter is different from the rotary controller used in older Jaguar models, however Jaguar says the beautiful tactile front vent discs were inspired by the lens rings of a classic Leica camera.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

For a car with a bumper spacing of less than 4.4 meters, the 2681mm wheelbase is long and interior space is also increased thanks to the E-Pace's wide beam and height.

Somehow the front of the cabin feels cozy yet spacious, this odd dichotomy created by the steep slope of the dashboard and center console, increasing the sense of space while still allowing easy access to key controls and storage spaces. 

The front of the cabin is cozy and spacious at the same time.

Speaking of which, the front seats feature a large storage box with a lid/retractable armrest between the seats (with two USB-A ports, a micro-SIM slot and a 12V outlet), two full-size cup holders in the center console (with a smartphone slot in between). ), a small-item tray in front of the gear lever, a roomy glove box, an overhead sunglass holder and large door baskets with plenty of room for large bottles. 

A special note to the central storage box. Space extends forward, far below the console, so a couple of 1.0-litre bottles can be laid flat, leaving plenty of room at the top. And the mesh pocket on the underside of the lid is great for small loose items.

There is plenty of room for passengers in the back seat.

Move back and again, despite the diminutive size, the E-Pace's placement is good. Sitting behind a driver's seat sized for my 183 cm (6.0 ft), I enjoyed plenty of legroom and headroom, even with the standard glass sunroof. 

The shoulder room is also very comfortable. And rear seat passengers are equipped with a storage box with a lid and two cup holders in the fold-down center armrest, mesh pockets on the backs of the front seats and useful door shelves with plenty of room for standard bottles. There are also adjustable center vents with a 12V outlet and three storage holes.

Rear seat passengers have a lidded storage box and two cupholders in the fold-down center armrest.

The luggage compartment is another plus of the compact E-Pace: 577 liters when the rear seat is folded in a 60/40 ratio, and 1234 liters when folded. 

Multiple lashing points help secure cargo, there are handy bag hooks on both sides, as well as a 12V outlet on the passenger side and a mesh compartment behind the wheel arch on the driver's side. A power tailgate is also welcome.

Trailer load capacity with brakes is 1800kg (750kg without brakes) and trailer stabilization is standard, although a trailer hitch receiver will cost you an additional $730. The steel spare is located under the cargo floor.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

The E-Pace Checkered Flag P250 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol version of the Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium modular engine based on multiple 500cc cylinders of the same design.

This AJ200 unit has an aluminum block and head with cast iron cylinder liners, direct injection, electro-hydraulically controlled intake and exhaust valve lift, and a single twin-scroll turbo. It produces 183 kW at 5500 rpm and 365 Nm at 1300-4500 rpm. 

The E-Pace Checkered Flag P250 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol version of Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium's modular engine.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission (from ZF) and an Active Driveline all-wheel drive system. With the default rear axle offset, it constantly monitors driving conditions, updating the torque distribution every 10 milliseconds.

Two independent, electronically controlled (wet disc) clutches distribute torque between the rear wheels, with the system capable of transferring 100% of the torque to either rear wheel if required.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 7.7 l/100 km l/100 km, the P250 checkered flag emits 174 g/km CO2 in the process.

In a week with the car, driving about 150 km around the city, suburbs and freeway (including a daring B-road run), we recorded an average consumption of 12.0 l/100 km, which is high for a compact SUV. This number corresponds to the actual range of 575 km.

And it's worth noting that despite using lightweight aluminum for the main body panels and suspension components, the E-Pace weighs over 1.8 tons, making it no worse than its larger F-Pace sibling.

The minimum fuel requirement is 95 octane premium unleaded gasoline and you will need 69 liters of this fuel to fill the tank.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10

In 2017, the Jaguar E-Pace received a maximum five-star ANCAP rating and boasts a solid array of active and passive safety technologies.

To help you avoid a crash, there are expected features like ABS, BA and EBD, as well as stability and traction control. While more recent innovations such as AEB (urban, intercity and high speed, with pedestrian and cyclist detection), blind spot assist, adaptive cruise control (with "Queue Assist"), "emergency stop light", assistance lane keeping, park assist and rear cross traffic alert are also included in the Checkered Flag specification.

A rearview camera, "Driver Status Monitor" and "Trailer Stability Assistant" are also standard, but a 360-degree surround camera ($210) and tire pressure monitoring ($580) are optional extras.

If a collision is unavoidable, six airbags are located inside (dual front, front side and full-length curtain), and the pedestrian protection system includes an active hood that raises in a pedestrian collision to provide more clearance from solid parts in the engine bay. , as well as a special airbag to better protect the base of the windshield. 

The rear seats also have three top attachment points for child capsules/child restraints with ISOFIX anchorages at the two extreme points.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / 100,000 km


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10

Jaguar's three-year/100,000 km warranty is a significant departure from the usual pace of five years/unlimited mileage, with some brands seven years. And even in the luxury segment, newcomer Genesis and most established of them Mercedes-Benz have recently stepped up the pressure by offering a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. 

Jaguar offers a three-year or 100,000 km warranty.

An extended warranty is available for 12 or 24 months, up to 200,000 km.

Service is scheduled every 12 months/26,000 km and the "Jaguar Service Plan" is available for a maximum of five years/102,000 km for $1950, which also includes five years of roadside assistance.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

The hood, front grilles, roof, tailgate and key suspension components of the E-Pace may be made from light alloy, but this chunky little SUV weighs 1832kg. However, Jaguar claims that the Checkered Flag P250 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, which is very fast, if not blinding.

The 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo-petrol engine delivers a solid block of (peak) torque (365 Nm) from just 1300 rpm to 4500 rpm, which, combined with no less than nine automatic gear ratios, means a healthy hit on average range is always available.

The adaptive transmission shift system reads the driving style to adapt its behavior accordingly, and it works well. But shifting manually with the paddles on the steering wheel adds fun and precision.

The thing is, despite being done in racy black, the petals themselves are made of plastic, which feels ordinary and is a disappointment in a high-end environment. 

Jaguar claims the Checkered Flag P250 will hit 0 km/h in 100 seconds.

Suspension is strut up front, "integral" multi-link in the back, and the ride quality is surprisingly light for a car of this size with a high seating position. There are no tricky active dampers here, just a well-engineered setup tuned to perform in a wide variety of conditions.

However, the JaguarDrive Control system offers four modes - Normal, Dynamic, Eco and Rain/Ice/Snow - adjusting parameters such as steering, throttle response, gear shifting, stability control, distribution torque. and an all-wheel drive system.

Dynamics are a sweet spot, everything zips up a little tighter without any significant impact on refinement, the car remains quiet and collected even when the driver's enthusiasm starts to take over. 

The speed-proportional variable-ratio electric power steering is well-weighted and well-directed, but the road feel is mediocre. On the other hand, the torque vectoring system, which uses the brakes to compress a wheel that loses traction in a corner, works flawlessly. 

The brakes are 349mm ventilated discs at the front and 300mm solid rotors at the rear, and while they stop the car reasonably well, the initial pedal feel is “grab”, especially at low speeds. It is a difficult task to lubricate the pedal to the point where the effect disappears.

Under the heading "General Notes", the ergonomic layout is difficult, with very clear instruments and convenient switches, but the "ebony" ceiling trim darkens the interior too much. Even though the huge (standard) glass sunroof lets in a lot of light, we would have preferred the lighter 'Ebony' shade available in other E-Pace grades (but not this one).

Speaking of the interior, the sporty front seats are grippy yet comfortable on long hauls, and their (standard) heating is a big plus on chilly mornings, the high-definition (21:9) widescreen multimedia screen is a delight. and the level of quality and attention to detail in the cabin is impressive.

Verdict

The Jaguar E-Pace Checkered Flag P250 is a compact, polished premium SUV. Inexpensive, super safe and spacious, it combines brilliant practicality with comfort and healthy performance. It's a bit greedy, there are some relatively minor dynamic quibbles, and the Jaguar's ownership package should improve its game. But for those who don't have a lot of free space but don't want to skimp on luxury, this is an attractive option in a highly competitive category.