2020 Jaguar I-PACE Review

　　

2020 Jaguar I-Pace Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　Jaguar managed to beat out traditional luxur competitors such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz last year when it debuted its first electric SUV, the I-Pace. In many ways, Jag set a high bar. The I-Pace is stylish, poised and comfortable and does just about everything you'd want from a luxury SUV. It also boasts acceleration and handling that could make plenty of drivers of sports cars jealous. That it just so happens to be powered by electricity can often be an afterthought.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV Insights

Trim:I-PACE EV400 S

　　EV400 S 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) - $69,850 MSRPEV400 SE 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) - $76,250 MSRPEV400 HSE 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $80,900 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

 zzdcar TESTED

　　242 milesThe range for a used 2020 Jaguar I-PACE is estimated to be 242 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 242 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 4 years or 44,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　13 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$94/mo

　　I-PACE

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Unfortunately, Jaguar's relative inexperience with electric vehicles shows through in a couple of areas. The non-linear brake feel, for instance, can make it hard to consistently stop smoothly, and the lack of a strong lift-throttle regenerative braking effect means you can't use a one-pedal driving style as effectively as you can in some other EVs. The I-Pace's relatively inefficient use of electricity could be seen as another drawback, either because it ultimately limits range or you just want your EV to be as efficient as possible.

　　Then there's the question of the price. Like all luxury EV SUVs, the I-Pace comes with a hefty premium. For most shoppers, the I-Pace's biggest selling point will be its undeniable style. More pragmatic buyers will likely have issues squaring their monthly payment against that. Still, if you're in the market for an EV that's loaded with technology features and is fun to drive, the I-Pace is worth a look.

　　Notably, we picked the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE as one of zzdcar' Recurrent and Recurrent for 2020.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the I-PACE drive? The electric Jag is quick and responsive if you ask it to be. It ran a sports-car-beating 0-60 mph sprint of 4.2 seconds in our testing. It steers and handles with poise and control as well. Looking for a sporty EV? This is it.

　　But its performance score is let down by unrefined braking that feels like an on-off toggle with no finesse. It makes it hard to stop smoothly in daily driving, even if emergency braking power is pretty good. Another issue: The I-Pace's lift-throttle regenerative braking isn't as strong as we'd like.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the I-PACE? Comfort is the I-Pace's strong suit. It feels controlled, composed, quiet and supportive. The optional air suspension is nicely calibrated to absorb small bumps and smooth larger humps without losing composure. Both front and rear seats are nicely shaped and comfortable, even on longer drives. And to help you enjoy all that comfort, the I-Pace is commendably quiet, even at freeway speeds.

　　The climate control system offers a lot of flexibility, but the temperature stability software needs more polish. We found the system prone to overshooting our desired temperatures.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? This very accommodating interior is attractive, comfortable and spacious. The control layout is logical, too. Interior space is accommodating, with good head- and legroom even in the rear seats.

　　There are small fiddly deficiencies here and there, but most people will not be bothered by them. Our only real technical complaint involves the lag time in both touchscreen response and the backup camera image.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Jaguar I-Pace stands apart from other Jaguar products of recent vintage. Its audio and navigation system is modern and easy to use, and the interface lacks much of the lagginess that has plagued other Jaguar products. Smartphone integration works well and Apple CarPlay in particular looks great on the large screen. The HSE trim comes with an all-encompassing suite of driver aid systems that are straightforward to use.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The I-Pace electric SUV delivers a good dose of everyday utility. The back seat is compatible with most any child safety seat, and the cabin has a useful amount of storage for loose odds and ends. You'll find storage for phones in front of the shifter buttons, big door pockets, and a deep console box.

　　The cargo area is easy to load, but the available volume is limited to 25.3 cubic feet by the narrowness of the load deck. The compartment is uncommonly deep, though, and folding the rear seats opens up a good deal of space. The tiny front trunk doesn't add much space. Overall, cargo space is closer to what you get from a hatchback than a typical luxury SUV.

　　

Range and Efficiency

5.5/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? At some point an EV's electricity consumption will become an issue. For us, that point came with the unimpressive consumption of the Tesla Model X. But the I-Pace is even worse, and by a lot. For the size of its 90-kWh battery, 234 miles of range is merely so-so. That's because its electricity consumption rate of 44 kWh per 100 miles is a full 22 percent worse than the Model X.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the I-PACE a good value? The I-Pace shows itself to be modern and well-built inside. The controls have a nice heft to them, and the design hides the seams between the various parts quite well. There's a bit more piano black than we like, but that's nitpicking. The price is high relative to luxury SUVs of a similar size but not outrageous among luxury EVs. We found the HSE we tested was well-equipped for the price point.

　　As an EV, the I-Pace shouldn't need much in the way of maintenance. You get a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty (along with roadside assistance), and the battery pack is covered for 10 years and 100,000 miles (150,000 in California).

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　Quick? Check. Nimble? Yep. Refined? Absolutely. Has the range to go somewhere? Kind of, if you don't leg it too much. The I-Pace certainly feels like a Jaguar, but at the same time it feels like something special when you're in it.

　　The I-Pace surprised us. Its shape does not scream crossover SUV, and in fact it comes across as something different. It rides, handles and goes more like a sport wagon that is fun to drive and interesting to look at. We dig it.

　　

Which I-PACE does zzdcar recommend?

There's only one powertrain on offer, so the price spread between the base and top-trim cars isn't too extreme. For that reason, we'd go straight to the HSE model. You get a full suite of driver aids, added comfort upgrades, and some excellent luxury features. We also like the optional adaptive suspension and head-up driver display.

　　

2020 Jaguar I-PACE models

The 2020 Jaguar I-Pace is offered in three trim levels, S, SE and HSE. All three use the same 90-kWh battery and 394-horsepower all-wheel-drive electric powertrain, with up to 234 miles of range.

　　The base S trim includes a good amount of standard tech, with active safety features and driver aids that include parking sensors and automated park assist. The tailgate lacks power operation, but you get a massive fixed glass roof, LED head- and taillights, and other luxury items.

　　Upgrading to the midlevel SE provides more luxury and technology features, including 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate and leather upholstery. On the tech front you also get adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring.

　　The range-topping HSE offers more features and an upgraded interior with more premium materials for the full luxury experience. Among other upgrades, you get ventilated front seats, an upgraded stereo, and upgrades to driver aids including a 360-degree camera display and steering assist.

　　Quite a few stand-alone options are offered, but the most notable are adaptive suspension and a head-up display.

　　

2020 I-PACE Highlights

Trim: EV400 SEV400 SEEV400 HSEEV400 S

　　

Base MSRP	$69,850
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	234 miles
Cost to Drive	$94/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	13.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles