2021 Jaguar E-PACE Review

Name: 2021 Jaguar E-PACE Review
Brand: Jaguar
Price: 25950 USD

Jaguar E-PACE 300 Sport 4dr SUV Exterior

+26

The Jaguar E-Pace certainly has some appeal as a pick for a small luxury SUV. The interior is comfortable, stylish and well appointed. Performance and practicality are both better than average in the E-Pace too. But it's let down by some glitchy technology and can be precipitously expensive for its class.

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2021 Jaguar E-Pace Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Ample power from turbocharged engine
Relatively spacious inside
Appealing mix of standard and luxury features
Striking design

Cons

Ride quality suffers with larger optional wheels
Rear seats lack headroom

What's new

Refreshed exterior styling
300 Sport engine now uses mild hybrid technology
New infotainment system
Revised trim level lineup
Part of the first E-Pace generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Jaguar's E-Pace, which is the brand's small luxury SUV, came out for the 2018 model year and gets a few updates for 2021. On the outside it has more distinctive-looking headlights, a new grille and restyled wheels. More significant changes are inside: a new infotainment system and a larger curved touchscreen. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system has a quicker startup time and an easier-to-use interface. Jaguar also says this E-Pace is quieter.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar E-PACE P250 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$214/mo

$161/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

You still get to choose from two turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. The P250 and P250 SE models have an output of 246 horsepower, while the 300 Sport model gets a bump to 296 hp thanks to a boost from a mild hybrid system. That hybrid system increases fuel efficiency just enough that the 300 gets the same EPA-estimated fuel economy as the P250.

The 2021 Jaguar E-Pace is one of the more athletic choices in a very competitive class of small SUVs that includes the Mercedes GLB and GLC, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. Overall, we think the E-Pace is worth checking out, especially if you prioritize performance and style.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.5

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the E-PACE drive? Jaguar favored a well-rounded approach to performance with the E-Pace. We tested the 300 Sport trim, which sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Acceleration is smooth, but it's not as quick as similarly powerful rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 (5.2 seconds). The E-Pace performed slightly better than average in our panic-braking test, stopping from 60 mph in a consistent 121 feet.

What sport there is in the 300 Sport can be found in the handling department. It has plenty of grip around turns and gives confidence to the driver. Our one gripe with the handling is the somewhat numb steering. It can be difficult to judge the necessary steering input to place the E-Pace exactly where you want it, especially on gentle bends.

The nine-speed automatic will upshift quickly in an effort to save fuel, but there's usually enough power on tap to accelerate without excessive downshifts. If you prefer sportier driving, the transmission's Sport mode and the E-Pace's Dynamic drive mode do a fair job of sharpening performance.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the E-PACE? The firm leather seats in the E-Pace are comfortable and supportive for both short and long trips. Our test vehicle's 16-way power-adjustable front seats featured heating and ventilation, and both were quick and effective. The rear seats have decent bolstering and feel less flat than those in some rival SUVs.

Our E-Pace's P300 Sport's ride wasn't the best. While the suspension offered good body control and a comfortable ride on smooth roads, it became jittery and un-luxury-like on broken city streets. We'd recommend opting for a smaller wheel and tire size to get the extra cushioning from the larger tire sidewalls.

The climate control works effectively and almost imperceptibly in the background, but we found the heater a bit slow to get going on chilly mornings.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The E-Pace is among the class leaders when it comes to providing stylish luxury. The controls are logically placed and easy to read, and the multifunction climate control knobs (controlling temperature, fan speed, seat heating and ventilation) are genuinely clever. But the climate system's other buttons, as well as some of the controls on the steering wheel, use a haptic system that requires a somewhat finicky amount of pressure to operate correctly. Traditional buttons would work much better here.

Typical for a small SUV, the E-Pace is very easy to step into. The driver has a good amount of adjustment range from the seat and steering wheel plus a fairly commanding view of the road ahead. Rear passengers have a somewhat narrower door opening to navigate, but once inside, the low seat cushion is easy to slide across. Rear legroom isn't especially generous in the E-Pace, but taller passengers should have enough to be comfortable.

Visibility hasn't been sacrificed for the E-Pace's exterior style; the slim windshield pillars and tall side mirrors help out here. The optional surround-view camera system is also very helpful when parking and looks great on the large, high-resolution infotainment screen.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? The E-Pace's stunning 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system is the centerpiece of the Jaguar's modern, luxurious interior. Pleasing graphics and a relatively straightforward layout make it easy to use and explore. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the E-Pace offers wireless as well as ample USB-A and -C charging options. Our test vehicle came with the optional Meridian surround-sound system, which we would recommend considering due to its affordable price.

Sadly, the infotainment system's voice controls were glitchy in our testing. Simple commands, like changing the radio station, took upwards of 15 seconds, but more often than not, the voice command system would simply fail. Jaguar still has a lot of room left for improvement.

The operation of the advanced driver aids is a bit better. But the lane keeping system was very slow to respond in our testing and often let the E-Pace simply drift out of its lane before correcting. The available speed limit-based cruise control system was far too aggressive in changing its speed, especially when slowing down.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Despite its relatively compact size, the E-Pace remains a fairly practical choice in the segment. Offering 22.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the E-Pace holds a bit more than the Mercedes GLA 250 and the Volvo XC40, which hold 15.4 and 20.7 cubes, respectively. But it falls short of the BMW X1 with its 27.1 cubic feet of space.

Inside, the E-Pace offers a variety of storage options. There's a tray in front of the shifter, cupholders and a fairly deep center console bin for front passengers. The door pockets are thoughtfully sectioned and lined with rubber to prevent unwanted rattling. Rear passengers also have door pockets and a drop-down armrest that doubles as a cupholder.

Got small kids? You'll appreciate the clearly marked and easily accessible Isofix anchors, but due to the somewhat limited rear legroom, fitting larger rear-facing child safety seats might require moving the front seats forward.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the E-Pace 300 Sport gets 23 mpg combined (21 city/26 highway). On our 115-mile evaluation route, we saw our 300 Sport test vehicle return an impressive 25.6 mpg. But during the rest of our time in the E-Pace, which was mainly city roads, the E-Pace struggled to hit 19 mpg. Like most other vehicles in the class, the E-Pace requires the use of premium unleaded gas.

Value

8/10

Is the E-PACE a good value? Featuring a well-crafted and stylish interior, the Jaguar E-Pace looks every bit like a top contender in the compact luxury SUV segment. Materials are top-notch, and it matches its German rivals in build quality, both inside and out. But the E-Pace commands quite a premium for its style. The base P250 starts just north of $42,000, while the 300 Sport adds nearly another $10K on top of that. Our well-appointed but still not fully optioned test car rang in at just over $60,000. That's far more than a similarly equipped Mercedes GLA 250 or AMG GLA 35, Volvo XC40 or BMW X1. In fact, it's nearly the same price as a well-equipped version of Jaguar's larger SUV, the F-Pace.

Though Jaguar's warranties are quite standard for the class, the E-Pace includes five-year/60,000-mile coverage for both roadside assistance and free maintenance.

Wildcard

8/10

Recent styling and technology improvements have made the Jaguar E-Pace a polished and luxurious little SUV. The look and feel of the interior are excellent, and it's clear that smoothness and isolation are well balanced with the brand's sporting intentions. While the exclusivity of the Jaguar brand and its modern appointments might warrant a slightly elevated price tag, the E-Pace can be downright expensive without offering any more luxury, tech or performance than most of its closest rivals.

Which E-PACE does Edmunds recommend?

The base P250 comes well equipped, but we think it's worth paying a little more for the P250 SE trim. Its upgrades include more driver aids, sharper-looking headlights and an upgraded infotainment system. To that, we'd add the Dynamic Handling Pack for its adaptive suspension as well as the upgraded Meridian surround-sound system.

2021 Jaguar E-PACE models

The 2021 Jaguar E-Pace is a small luxury SUV available in three trim levels: P250, P250 SE and 300 Sport. Powering the P250 and P250 SE models is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (246 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque) while the 300 uses the same engine but adds mild hybrid functionality to increase power (296 hp, 295 lb-ft). Regardless of trim or engine, every E-Pace is all-wheel-drive and has a nine-speed automatic transmission. Highlighted standard features include:

P250
Comes generously equipped with:

18-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Chrome exterior trim
Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
Selectable drive modes
Leather seating surfaces
Power-adjustable, heated front seats
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Keyless entry with push-button start
11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Wireless device charging
Meridian audio system

Standard advanced driver aids:

Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
Lane keeping assist (steers the E-Pace back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the E-Pace and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

P250 SE
Extra features include:

Upgraded LED headlights
19-inch wheels
Power liftgate
Driver's seat memory settings
Upgraded touchscreen interface with navigation
Full digital instrument panel
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

300 Sport
Besides the extra power, the 300 Sport builds on the P250 SE with:

Sportier exterior styling
Adaptive suspension dampers (enhance ride comfort and handling)
Foglights
Black exterior trim
20-inch wheels
Sport front seats
Black headliner
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

Many of the extra features from the higher trim levels are available as options on lower trims. Other notable options include:

Panoramic glass roof
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
Cold Climate package (adds heating for the front seats, steering wheel and windshield)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)
16-speaker surround-sound audio system

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Jaguar E-PACE.

5 (52%)

4 (10%)

3 (14%)

2 (7%)

1 (17%)

3.7

29 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

2018 Jaguar E pace

Hk_650, 08/01/2018

2018 Jaguar E-PACE P250 First Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

Bought this car because the Volvo XC40 I wanted to order was so far out on production. I thought this would be a good alternative despite being almost $10,000 more. However, the tech is extremely lacking, the interior is simple but my Chevy Cruze rs is just as nice. So no big points there. Also, the car has less then 2,000mi and been in the shop twice with transmission issues kicking it …

Excellent Vehicle

Bobbybo, 12/07/2019

2019 Jaguar E-PACE P300 R-Dynamic SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

My wife and I have owned numerous SUV's over the years and really love this vehicle. It is fun to drive with excellent handling and braking which stops on a dime. We have the nearly 300 horsepower turbocharged 4 cylinder model and it is very quick. The safety features are excellent as well with automatic braking if you would happen to not see a pedestrian or biker in time, it will stop …

I love my E-Pace

Dennis Kennedy, 06/19/2019

2019 Jaguar E-PACE P250 SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

I have used the same process when purchasing a new car for the last 5 vehicles I have purchased. I first research on line various vehicles in the class that I am interested in at the time. In the past it has always been a sports car. I then compare different vehicles using Edmunds and Kelly. After narrowing my selections I schedule test drives. Once I decide on a specific vehicle I go …

Best Compact SUV by a mile; but could be better

Lance Bowling, 08/11/2018

2018 Jaguar E-PACE P300 R-Dynamic HSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

Pros: Best looking, best handling in class and fun to drive. Stunning looks & style for a SUV, well laid out & comfortable sporty cockpit (F Type copy), good driver visibility, brilliant performance technology, great features, smooth shifting nine-speed transmission, quite nimble, precise steering, super stable braking, great cornering & windy conditions stability, excellent surround … camera system, brilliant adaptive cruise control, unbelievable self parking, very good sound system, good interior fit and finish, and great storage capability considering vehicle size. Cons: Little expensive, feathery overly sensitive accelerator (spurts), 1 second transmission kick down delay, washed out touchscreen display, windshield blocks radio frequencies, and a few other minor issues listed under, “Details of Issues”. Overall: A vehicle well suited to city driving and equally at home in the country; but not my first choice for long distance trips (full-size SUV time). The vehicle is best suited to a family of four or less (children and smaller bodies in the rear). The 21 inch wheels provide a great ride in “Comfort” & “Dynamic” modes, better than the smaller offerings. Brakes are excellent and feel stable under hard braking. Has “ECO” mode to improve fuel consumption. 6 -different models and a plethora of options to suit most needs. Has all the latest safety features and collision avoidance. Top model could do with a more powerful motor. It is miles better than the competition. 5 out of 5 if it wasn’t for the metalized windshield, display washout, spurty throttle and transmission delay. Bottom Line: If you want the best looking, best handling compact SUV in the world, your search stops here. Details of Issues (nothing major) Expensive Has better performance technology than the competition which costs a little more; but even so, still seems a bit pricey. Windshield Blocks Radio Frequencies I really dislike the metalized windshield which blocks radio frequencies. Toll Tag clear patch is too small. Range of wireless devices is reduced (up to 95%), including; door and gate openers, phones, RFID, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, radar detectors and medical alert. Feather Light and Overly Sensitive Throttle Pedal Almost no foot feel and too sensitive. A bumpy road, a sharp corner or just acceleration forces can cause unwanted acceleration spurts (jerking). Also, you have to hold your foot up all the time when just cruising. It feels unnatural and a little uncomfortable. Thank goodness for the excellent adaptive cruise control. Transmission downshift delay Foot to floorboards and wait 1+ seconds for significant acceleration. Touchscreen Washout The touchscreen difficult to see in bright daylight and is barely visible in bright sunny conditions. The problem is that the display sits angled almost flat well ahead of the roofline and there is no sunshade, so the sun shines right on it. Accentuated by no high contrast color scheme option, just “Light” (light pastel) or “Dark”. It’s fine at night or on dreary days. Windshield Reduces Night Vision The windshield is metalized to block UV rays which it does well. It also cuts down visible light reducing normal vision just like sunglasses or regular window tint does. The problem is that it also reduces vision at night too when you need maximum clarity. Road Noise Road (tire) noise is noticeable and could benefit from improved floor and wheel arch insulation. Automatic Relocking & Arming Only the dealership can turn it on or off. I can see the reason for automatic locking and arming in high crime areas. In the country, the automatic system is annoying and inconvenient. There should be an easy way to turn the feature on and off. Door Locked Condition Indicator No visible external indicator that the doors are locked (except the folding door mirrors). In a noisy bright light situation, it’s difficult to see (light flash) or hear the doors lock. Automatic Power Fold Door Mirrors Useful option, but it can only be turned on and off by the dealership? Keyless Door Locking Keyless locking is overly complicated and imprecise (Unlocking is great). The manual goes into detail not to grab the door handle while touching the lock sensor. In reality, it is only necessary to be lightly touching the handle for the sensor not to work; or if your finger touches a little outside of the sensor area. One could turn on the auto locking full time, but that causes other irritating convenience issues. Restricted Driver’s Foot Well No good place to put your left foot if you have long legs. Wheel well intrudes into this space. Reflections from Bright Shiny Bezels Reflections in driver’s side mirror from bright shiny driver’s side air vent bezel. Reflections from bright shiny bezels (air vents and display) on front windshield. Driver’s Maximum Seat Height The front dash and side windows sills are quite high. I found that with the seat all the way up, I still felt like I was sitting a bit too low (1 inch). Update: After 4.5 years the vehicle is still performing very well and no failures and no visits to the dealership. 4 new tires is the only major expense. I have had to replace the battery in the key fob three times, they don't last long. Update: 6 years on and the vehicles is still performing well. Another set of tires but this is due to the soft tires meeting the latest rash of chip-seal roads that just tear up the tires. Fortunately, the government is saving money on road repair. The metalized windshield is still the most anoying aspect of the vehicle. The vehicle has never been to the dealership for repair or maintenance. It has never broken down or required anything other than an oil change and a new battery. Not planning on buying a new vehicle since they have become computerized nightmares, spying on their owners. EVs are just now ready for primetime, no matter how much the government tries to ram them down our throats.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Jaguar E-PACE, so we've included reviews for other years of the E-PACE since its last redesign.

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2021 E-PACE Highlights

Trim:

P250

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$40,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$214/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the E-PACE models:

Driver Condition Monitor: Monitors driving inputs to detect driver fatigue and uses audible and visual alerts to tell the driver to take a break from the road.
Traffic Sign Recognition: Detects traffic signs using a forward-facing camera and displays symbols in the message center and head-up display for driver awareness.
Surround Camera System: Displays images on the central touchscreen from four cameras positioned around the car, creating a 360-degree view.

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2021 Jaguar E-PACE Review

2021 Jaguar E-Pace Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar E-PACE P250 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which E-PACE does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Jaguar E-PACE models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Jaguar E-PACE.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

2018 Jaguar E pace

Excellent Vehicle

I love my E-Pace

Best Compact SUV by a mile; but could be better

2021 E-PACE Highlights

Safety

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2021 Jaguar E-PACE Review

2021 Jaguar E-Pace Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar E-PACE P250 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which E-PACE does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Jaguar E-PACE models

Most helpful consumer reviews

2018 Jaguar E pace

Excellent Vehicle

I love my E-Pace

Best Compact SUV by a mile; but could be better

2021 E-PACE Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Jaguar E-PACE info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Hyundai

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jaguar E-PACE P250 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}