Road test | Jaguar I-Pace: the stranger from Coventry

Did you know that Jaguar has been selling an electric model since 2018? It is very likely not, despite the pioneering status of the I-Pace. The crossover, launched a year before the Tesla Model Y, was the first of its horde among luxury brands, reaching out to a clientele who then had an abstract idea of ​​electromobility. Four years later, the electron-powered turn is very tangible, making the existence of the I-Pace almost indispensable for Jaguar. But does he play on equal terms against newcomers?

Charles Rene
The Press

Design

True to its positioning sculpted around design, Jaguar has drawn a dress that is evocative to say the least to set this I-Pace apart. Taking advantage of the framework designed for the electric which integrates its battery and its motors in a low and compact assembly, the engineers have pushed the passenger compartment forward to increase the interior volume. Its muzzle is thus reduced in size, something that contrasts with the other creations of the manufacturer, including the F-Type coupe which owes its sculptural appearance to its long hood. That notwithstanding, the I-Pace rebalances everything with a cohesive profile that pushes the wheels to the ends and smooths its doors with retractable handles. The curved rear fenders also give tone to the rendering, as does the presence of large optional 22-inch rims that adorn the lower part in a beautiful way. At the rear, the sloping bezel bears witness to a receding line inspired by coupés.

On board

Before entering this I-Pace, you invariably have to negotiate with rather wide door sills. Once this slight obstacle has been crossed, we are gratified by a beautiful interior layout which adopts a rather classic posture in its form. Only three colors of furniture are offered and black predominates on various materials, whether glossy or matte. The mood of the leathers also gives an impression of opulence, supported by an extremely meticulous assembly. We also appreciate the nice integration of the infotainment system above a floating console. However, this is where things get complicated. The controls of the heating-air conditioning system are incorporated into it by means of a small touch screen. However, when the outside light falls on it, it becomes downright unreadable. Moreover, the passenger compartment is all in all very roomy, an advantage conferred by the long wheelbase of almost 3 m. The storage is also voluminous and the trunk is very suitable at 656 L of capacity.

Under the hood

As with any electric vehicle, there is only a small compartment, 27 L. It is rather below the latter that the first of two electric motors is bolted. These two mills each produce 197 hp for a total power of 394 hp. Despite its 2170 kg, the vivacity of the crossover is undeniable, as demonstrated by the 0-100 km/h achieved in 4.8 s, according to the manufacturer. When you activate the Dynamic mode, a not too insistent sound is superimposed. The energy is stored in a 90 kWh battery. With a consumption of 25 kWh/100 km obtained during the test, the range is around 350 km, which is a little disappointing for the requested mark ($99,800). We understand that the emphasis here is on performance, but this I-Pace cannot yet compete on equal terms with competitors of equivalent prices who have more mechanical means.

Behind the wheel

After we railed against the layout of the buttons that act as a gear lever, the I-Pace activates in the greatest of silences. The pneumatic shock absorbers then correct the trim by lifting the bodywork that was in low mode to promote accessibility. We perceive very quickly that it is not in finery on the dynamic level. Its double wishbone configuration at the front and multi-link at the rear supports excellent cornering. You actually feel the vehicle sit on its outer wheel in the feel of the steering, giving the driver confidence. However, there is a numbness in the steering wheel when the engines are used when exiting a bend. Body roll remains very well controlled and bumps do not destabilize the chassis in any way. Braking could nevertheless be more biting in the beginning, which reflects the immensity of the mass to slow down.

Embedded technologies

For 2022, this I-Pace has received a technological overhaul. It embeds the latest generation of the multimedia system of the English brand which adds the update in the cloud. We walk through it by means of tabs placed on vertical strips as well as by large configurable tiles at the reception. Without being at the top in terms of execution speed or functionality, it takes the model a big step forward. It should be noted, however, that the functionalities linked to the electric group, including the adjustment of the intervention of the regenerative system, are too well hidden in the sub-menus. A second screen for the instrumentation exposes the older age of the vehicle against rivals with a somewhat slow refresh rate. The 825W Meridian sound system sounds acceptable, without really standing out. We feel a ceiling resulting in a loss of sound definition the slightest we raise its intensity.

The verdict

The Jaguar I-Pace is undoubtedly the manufacturer’s model that gives the greatest impression of quality. Solid on its wheels, the crossover is eloquent when the road becomes more tortuous, a surprise for such a heavy vehicle. However, we cannot exclude from the equation its starting price, which exceeds $100,000 once the related costs are added. That puts it in a bad spot against the Tesla Model Y and Audi e-tron, which are several thousand dollars cheaper. We also do not benefit from ultra-fast charging, which is limited to 100 kW, which stretches the wait at the terminals. In short, there is good and bad here, and we hope that Jaguar will have the presence of mind to correct the execution or make this I-Pace more accessible, because it is a very competent product, but badly positioned and, above all, lacking in notoriety.