Everything you need to know about the Jaguar I-Pace

The Jaguar I-PACE: Is it worth the hype? 

As Jaguar’s first fully electric car, it has a lot to prove. Let’s dive in and see what makes it so special.

Jaguar’s I-PACE is the manufacturer’s first ever full electric vehicle. It's also one that they’re immensely proud of (and rightly so).

Named  'World Car of the Year' in 2019, the I-PACE has gone on to become a leading contender in the electric SUV world, competing with the likes of the Mercedes EQC and Audi e-tron.

We've been testing out two different specifications from the Jaguar I-PACE range, the EV400 SE and the EV400 HSE, to find out more about its key features. If you’re considering a Jaguar lease on a personal or business contract hire, this blog is sure to help.

Let’s dive right in: what makes the Jaguar I-PACE so special?

Model range and specification

There's only one model available in the Jaguar I-PACE range (the EV400), but there are three different specifications within this: the S, the SE and the range-topping HSE.

But what’s the difference between them all? And what are the key features?

Jaguar I-PACE S

• 19'' 5-split spoke wheels
• Manual tailgate
• Luxtec Synthetic Leather Sports seats
• Interactive Driver Display
• Emergency Braking Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter

Jaguar I-PACE SE

• 20'' 6 spoke wheels
• Premium LED headlights
• Powered tailgate
• Grained leather sport seats
• Blind Spot Assist Pack

Jaguar I-PACE HSE

• 20'' 5 spoke dark grey and diamond gloss wheels
• Matrix LED headlights
• Powered gesture tailgate
• Windsor leather sport seats
• Head-up Display
• Driver Assist Pack that includes:; Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Condition Monitor, Rear Collision Monitor

Battery and performance

There's only one battery option available in the Jaguar I-PACE (a 90kWh lithium-ion battery), but it has been designed with longevity in mind.

The I-PACE is powered by two synchronous magnet electric motors, one on each of the front and rear axles.

To give you a sense of its true capabilities, these are the same motors used in Jaguar’s I-Type Formula E racing car (just don’t go treating it like a race car).

Jaguar’s WLTP Comb range is between an immense 252 and 292 miles on a single charge. And, depending on how quickly you need to charge, there are several options to top up your I-PACE.

Using a 50kW charger, you can store up to 154 miles range per hour. Or, you can use several different public charger outputs, ranging from 3kW to 11kW.

Electric vehicles are known for their rapid acceleration and the Jaguar I-PACE is no exception.

Benefiting from its all-wheel-drive system, it has a 0-60mph time of just 4.5 seconds and max speeds of 120mph.

Producing 696Nm of instant torque and 294kW (395hp) of power, the I-PACE is no slouch. And thanks to its speed and incredible balance, it makes for a very rewarding driving experience. 

Design

Despite officially being classified as an electric SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE doesn’t quite fit that mould.

It has a small profile with a beautiful swooping body that arches down into a low nose - which you wouldn’t usually expect from an SUV.

The I-PACE looks every bit a modern car, yet retains the famous and iconic look that you see throughout the Jaguar range.

The famous British manufacturer has skilfully blended modern electric car design with its signature British charm.

Throughout the exterior and interior, there's plenty of small but classy Jaguar details, complementing what is an intricate and thoughtfully designed masterpiece.

You get the choice of nine different wheel options with the I-PACE, depending on the model you choose.

• S has 19-inch 5 split-spoke wheels with a gloss finish.
• SE has 20-inch, 6-spoke wheels with a silver gloss finish.
• HSE has 20-inch 5-spoke wheels with a dark grey and diamond gloss finish.

Interior

If you think the exterior is nice, wait until you get inside.

There's a plethora of interior options to choose from: Luxtec, Grained Leather, and Windsor Leather sports seats.

Jaguar’s Touch Pro Duo provides drivers with not one, but two touchscreens in the centre console, with a digital drivers’ display behind the wheel too.

Up top, you have a 10-inch screen to control all of your entertainment, smartphone connectivity and other commonly used tech.

Underneath this technological beast, you have a five-inch screen that operates your climate control, catering to everything, from toasty summer days to frosty winter mornings.

Both look brilliant visually and feel right at home in what is an extremely well-presented cabin, with various soft-touch finishes throughout that add to the luxurious feel.

However, the infotainment system will need some time to get used to.

The usability of touchscreens and infotainment systems have been a concern with Jaguar models of years gone by and the same can be said for the I-PACE, despite its good looks. 

You might be thankful that there is (finally) a sunny day in Britain, however, the second screen will be impossible to see, thanks to the glare from the sun.

Practicality and safety features

Stylish and practical? You bet the Jaguar I-PACE delivers.

With clever little storage opportunities dotted throughout the cabin, the I-PACE tries to make your life that little bit easier.

Phone battery running low? There are several USB ports around the car (you just need to remember that lead now).

It also comes packed with other handy little features: 12v ports, hooks, two ISOFIX points, and storage compartments. What more could you ask for?

With plenty of leg room, it is definitely suited to you giants who are taller than six foot.

The rear seats offer ample space for two adults to sit comfortably, while the optional large sunroof floods the cabin with natural light—perfect for admiring your passengers without fear of bad lighting.

Boot space in the Jaguar I-PACE is competitive – there is 656L of luggage space on offer, which is all but the same as the Audi E-Tron and much better than the Mercedes EQC. 

There is also some handy extra storage in the 'frunk', but only enough for a few bags of shopping at best (we know, frunk sounds very frunky). 

Now, let’s talk about the rear window.

It is odd, to say the least.

Given the meticulous design of the rest of the car, the rear-view window feels like an afterthought—its minimal size and limited visibility leave much to be desired.

It is also surrounded by two huge pillars on either side, making for some quite sizeable blind spots.

While it may not be a deal breaker for you —– and Jaguar does offer an additional Blind Spot Assist pack on select models —- it is something you cannot simply ignore either.

The I-PACE secured a five-star Euro NCAP rating and has a host of safety features as standard. From Emergency Braking and Traffic Sign Recognition to Lane Keep Assist and Speed Limiter.

On top of all this, you can feel reassured by the fact that there are as many as six different airbags fitted throughout the car.

Optional extras

Jaguar offers an Electronic Air Suspension for the I-PACE, which automatically lowers the car by 10mm when you’re travelling at speeds over 65mph for an extended amount of time.

Living up to its reputation of being a real ‘driver’s car’, you have the option to personalise the Jaguar I-PACE’s throttle sensitivity, steering weight, and damper stiffness with the additional Configurable Dynamics system. 

You really can make it your own with a wealth of cool optional extras.

Pricing

An electric car this cool is going to come at a price.

The I-PACE S starts from £65,000, but to get behind the wheel of the HSE, you'll have to pay upwards of £74,000.

Thankfully, leasing lets you enjoy the brilliance of the I-PACE without the hefty upfront cost.

At Carparison, we can offer competitive monthly payments on a Jaguar I-PACE lease deal, making this cutting-edge electric SUV much more affordable.

With leasing options that make it more accessible, experiencing this remarkable piece of British engineering has never been easier.