2019 Jaguar E-PACE Review

Jaguar hasn't wasted any time catching up with rivals and establishing itself as a maker of crossover SUVs. Its first effort, the F-Pace, has been a big success thanks to its sharp style and sports car-like performance. Now the automaker has doubled-down on its SUV portfolio with the 2019 Jaguar E-Pace.

The name might lead you to believe that electric power is somehow involved; it's not. (That, ironically, has been reserved for Jaguar's new I-Pace electric SUV.) The E-Pace is simply Jaguar's smaller crossover SUV, similar to how the Jaguar XE sedan is smaller compared to the XF sedan. In both size and price, the E-Pace is larger and more expensive than established subcompact SUVs such as the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.

Power comes from one of two available turbocharged four-cylinder engines: One makes 246 horsepower; the other generates 296 hp. All E-Paces are equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, although the AWD system fitted to the 296-hp engine is more advanced and helps improve the E-Pace's handling when going around turns.

Although it's more expensive than some rival SUVs, we're enthused by the E-Pace. We haven't run it through our standard battery of testing yet. But based on our initial drives, the E-Pace delivers plenty of style and performance.

The 2019 Jaguar E-Pace is offered in two main trims primarily distinguished by engine output: the base P250 and the P300 R-Dynamic. Additional features are broken out into four subtrims: Standard, S, SE and HSE.

The base E-Pace P250 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (246 horsepower, 269 pound-feet of torque), while the E-Pace R-Dynamic gets a similar but more powerful version (296 hp, 295 lb-ft). A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard across the board.

The P250 Standard comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, selectable drive modes, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a 10-inch touchscreen, dual USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system. Lane keeping assist and forward collision warning and mitigation with low-speed automatic braking are also included.

The S upgrade adds bigger front brakes, 18-inch wheels, LED running lights, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional smartphone integration features.

The SE trim equips the E-Pace with 19-inch wheels, automatic high beams, a power liftgate, power-adjustable lumbar and memory settings for the front seats, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. Tech and safety features include an automated parking system, a surround-view camera system and rear cross-traffic alert.

The top HSE is only offered with the higher-output R-Dynamic P300 models and adds 20-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, keyless entry, upgraded front seats, premium leather upholstery and a full-digital gauge cluster display. A blind-spot monitoring system, adaptive cruise control and high-speed emergency braking also come standard.

In addition to the power increase, E-Pace R-Dynamic P300 models (beginning with S trims and up) are also equipped with a performance-enhancing rear differential, special exterior and interior styling details, front foglights, and sport front seats with contrast stitching.

Many of the extra features from the higher trim levels are available as options on the S and the SE. Other notable upgrades include a Cold Climate package (which adds heating for the front seats, steering wheel and windshield), a surround-sound audio system, a head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and adaptive suspension dampers.