After seeing how successful crossovers and SUVs can be, Jaguar decided to expand its SUV family with the addition of the new 2018 E-Pace. Jaguar's first SUV, the F-Pace, has done exceptionally well, and the automaker is looking to cash in on the idea with a smaller offering that follows a similar recipe. Jaguar has gone to great lengths to highlight just how sporty the new E-Pace is. The compact SUV holds an official Guinness World Records title for completing the Furthest Barrel Roll in a Production vehicle, covering 50 feet, while completing a 270-degree barrel roll. Clearly, Jaguar isn't messing around with the new E-Pace.
What's New for 2018
The 2018 E-Pace is an all-new vehicle that will compete with the likes of the BMW X1, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Mini Cooper Countryman.
Choosing Your Jaguar E-PACE
All variants of the new E-Pace will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. The engine makes two tunes of power. In the regular E-Pace and E-Pace First Edition families, the 2.0-liter motor generates 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. In the sportier R-Dynamic trims, the engine has been tuned to put out 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine, regardless of power output, is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Power is put down through an all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Just like a true sports car, the E-Pace has a few features that make the driving experience for the small SUV even more memorable. An optional Configurable Dynamics package ($360) allows drivers to personalize the vehicle to their ideal setup. Things like throttle sensitivity, shift points for the transmission, steering wheel weight, and even the suspension's damper stiffness can be fine-tuned. The available Adaptive Dynamics system ($1,020) helps bring luxury and sportiness to the E-Pace thanks to electronically-controlled dampers that changes damping force based on road conditions and feedback from the driver.
All E-Pace models come with JaguarDrive Control that gives drivers four driving modes to choose from: Normal, Dynamic, Eco, and Rain, Ice, and Snow. Normal is the default mode, Dynamic is for spirited drives, Eco reigns everything in for better fuel economy, while Rain, Ice, and Snow is to improve stability in inclement weather.
The new E-Pace is broken down into three different families: E-Pace, E-Pace R-Dynamic, and E-Pace First Edition. All together, the compact SUV is available in seven different trims.
As a sporty compact SUV, getting the more powerful 296-hp engine seems like the right choice, making the R-Dynamic S trim the model we recommend exploring. The Drive Pack is worth the additional cost, as is the Configurable Dynamics system. Consumers in urban areas will find the 360-degree camera, which is available for an additional $360, to be extremely helpful, while a powered tailgate ($360), a tailgate with gesture control ($460), and keyless entry ($565) can all be added separately.