Used 2019 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 SE Hatchback Review

It may sound strange that the first luxury electric vehicle to truly challenge Tesla comes from the British, but that's exactly the job the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace aims to do. With 240 miles of range, a head-turning design and engaging road manners, it should be an intriguing pick for an EV.

The I-Pace is big enough inside to seat four adults comfortably and it still provides the fun-to-drive nature you'd expect from Jaguar. Its 90-kWh battery pack powers two electric motors: one driving the front wheels, the other the rear. With a combined total of 394 horsepower, the I-Pace can do 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. The immediacy of the power delivery means it feels even quicker during real-world driving.

Though it costs around the same as a base Tesla Model X, the I-Pace is smaller, only comes in a five-seat and single-battery configuration, and lacks access to Tesla's Supercharger network. On the upside, though, the I-Pace has regular rear doors instead of the Model X's gimmicky doors, and it doesn't oversell the promise of full self-driving capability.

Overall, we believe the new 2019 Jaguar I-Pace is worth a close look if you're ready to own and be proud of an electric vehicle.

The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace is available in three main trim levels: S, SE and HSE. The S is decently equipped, but the SE has more of the features you'll likely expect on a Jaguar. Really, though, we imagine most shoppers will find the HSE's additional comfort, safety and prestige upgrades appetizing. There's also a limited First Edition trim for 2019. It's essentially an HSE equipped with a few optional features.

All trims come equipped with a 90-kWh battery pack and two electric motors. One motor drives the front wheels and the other drives the rears. Total system output is 394 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque.

From the outside, the base S offers 18-inch wheels, an adjustable air suspension, LED head- and taillights, a panoramic fixed sunroof, automatic windshield wipers, heated side mirrors, and a manual liftgate. Inside you'll find simulated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats,  60/40-split folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and dual-zone climate control.

Standard technology features include keyless entry and push-button start, a 380-watt stereo and three digital displays. For entertainment, the 10-inch center screen hosts navigation, Bluetooth, HD and satellite radio. Phone integration options include Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot and six USB ports. On the safety front, you get low-speed collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, an automated parking system (both parallel and perpendicular) and parking sensors. Driving features include variable ride height and two tools for driving in slippery surfaces: Low Friction Launch and All Surface Progress Control. The former gets you moving from a stop, and the latter acts like a low-speed cruise control.

Moving up to the SE grants 20-inch wheels, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, upgraded LED headlights with daytime-running lights and auto high-beam assist, and a power liftgate. The interior gains leather upholstery as well as driver and front passenger memory settings. Additional standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and high-speed collision mitigation.

The HSE dons a different style of 20-inch wheels, and the liftgate can be open or shut by swinging your foot under the rear bumper. The interior upgrades consist of improved leather quality, a 15-speaker stereo, upgraded front seats with heating and ventilation, and heated rear seats. There's a top-view camera to make parking easier, and the adaptive cruise control gains steering assist, which helps keep the I-Pace in its lane.

Think of the limited First Edition as an HSE with a few options. It rides on yet another style of 20-inch wheel and offers adaptive suspension and a feature called Adaptive Surface Response, which monitors road quality and adjusts the vehicle for different amounts of traction. Other features include a heated windshield and washer jets, upgraded interior trimming and extended leather, a microfiber-suede headliner, adjustable ambient interior lighting, four-zone climate control, and a head-up display.

The options and packages for all I-Pace trim levels largely consist of improvements to comfort features and interior materials, such as heating for the steering wheel and seats and additional microfiber-suede (if not already included). Most safety and driving-related features, such as the adaptive suspension and head-up display, can be optioned on any trim level where it's not already standard.