2019 Jaguar E-PACE Road Test and Review

The Jaguar E-PACE made its debut in 2018, adding a compact crossover to the Jaguar lineup. Even though it’s a new model, there are still a few changes for 2019 with new technologies and an updated infotainment system. What hasn’t changed is this crossover’s sleek styling and powerful engines. This is a Jaguar, after all, and people expect it to drive like one.

Although compact crossovers are known for their flexibility to carry people or cargo without the cumbersome size of a bulkier SUV, the E-Pace throws performance into the mix. Simply because you need the versatility of a crossover doesn’t mean you don’t want to enjoy your time behind the wheel. Let’s take a closer look at the 2019 Jaguar E-Pace to see if this performance-focused crossover is the one for you.

The 2019 Jaguar E-PACE is available in six trim levels, starting with the base model priced at $38,600. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its standard features include a 10-inch infotainment screen, heated side mirrors, and automatic emergency braking. The E-Pace S adds amenities that include leather-upholstered 10-way power front seats for $40,400, while the SE makes those front seats 14-way adjustable and brings a Meridian sound system.

Those seeking a more spirited driving experience will want to look at the E-Pace R-Dynamic. It starts at $46,400 for the base S with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boasting 296 horsepower with 295 lb-ft of torque. Features increase as you move through the R-Dynamic range, as does pricing, with the SE coming in at $49,000 and the HSE topping out at $52,850.

Jaguar is known for building luxury performance cars. This might be a crossover, but it’s not simply a grocery-getter in fancy packaging. The E-Pace is intended to be a performance crossover with a choice of two powerful engines. The R-Dynamic trims have a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque while the three base trims get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque.

We spent our time in the SE with the smaller engine. And although it's the less performance-focused of the two, we still found the E-Pace an energized drive. It’s quick off the line, and merging into heavy highway traffic is quite simply effortless. There’s no lack of power when you need a little extra speed for highway passing, either. A series of drive modes, including sporty Dynamic mode, let you make the most of the engine’s power.

performance cars are not known for great fuel economy and neither are crossovers. That doesn’t mean the E-Pace will have you stopping for constant fill-ups at every available gas station. The base engine achieves an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Go with the more powerful engine and the numbers drop only slightly to 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.

That’s a tie for city driving and a drop of only 1 mpg on the highway and in combined driving. It’s a negligible difference and one that makes the more powerful engine more tempting, assuming you can afford the added upfront cost. It also keeps the E-Pace competitive with other luxury performance crossovers, falling roughly in the middle of the pack.

The E-Pace is a luxury vehicle, and it behaves accordingly. The ride is smooth and quiet, with minimal wind noise making its way into the cabin. Rough roads are equally muted. Even at highway speeds, we found the E-Pace quiet as it tackled miles of construction with pebbled pavement and plenty of bumps. The only sound that does penetrate the interior is the engine, and then it’s only enough to remind you this is a performance crossover.

Handling is precise and controlled, with minimal adjustments required to keep the E-Pace on course. Uneven road surfaces were no problem, something that’s a tough feat to pull off at highway speeds. Jaguar DriveControl, activated at the touch of a button on the center console, lets you toggle among Eco, Dynamic, Normal, and Rain/Snow/Ice modes to help tailor the drive so that you stay in control no matter the road conditions.

The E-Pace has room for five passengers with comfortable yet supportive front seats. They’re heavily bolstered to help keep you in place on tight corners. Those with a larger build may find them restrictive. Finding the perfect seating position is easy with power-adjustability as well as power lumbar support. Memory settings make it quick and hassle-free to switch between drivers. The back seat easily fits three adults with plenty of headroom and legroom, even with the front seats pushed back.

Materials throughout are high quality and reinforce Jaguar’s reputation as a luxury brand. There are rich leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with matching leather trims on the dashboard and door panels. The overall is aesthetic is one of elegance rather flashiness. It’s a comfortable and relaxing space whether you’re the lucky one behind the wheel or lounging in the rear seat.

The infotainment system in the 2019 Jaguar E-PACE has gotten an upgrade that’s standard across the lineup. It features the next generation of Jaguar's InControl Touch Pro with an updated layout that makes the system easier to use, and it adds available voice commands for navigation. There’s a 10-inch touchscreen that lets you pinch and zoom as you would on your smartphone, so it’s intuitive and less distracting for the driver.

Optional Connect Pro includes InControl Apps, with select Android and Apple iOS apps accessible right from the vehicle’s touchscreen along with a Wi-Fi hotspot and Pro Services with real-time traffic updates. There’s AM/FM/SiriusXM radio and Bluetooth with an optional Meridian sound system that provides rich sound for audiophiles. It’s a fully-featured system with the connectivity and features to ensure you stay in touch with the outside world and enjoy the ride.

The E-pace is a compact SUV, but it still has a spacious interior with plenty of room for people or cargo, while a 60/40 split-folding rear seat adds further flexibility. There’s 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which easily hold groceries or supplies for the latest weekend project. The powered tailgate helps make loading easy, as do a low load floor and a wide rear opening for handling larger items.

Flip the rear seats down and cargo capacity expands to 52.7 cubic feet. That’s an impressive amount of room for a vehicle in this class. All-wheel drive models can also tow up to 1,653 pounds. crossovers need to do double-duty by accommodating passengers or cargo, and the Jaguar E-PACE does both without complaint.

The 2019 Jaguar E-PACE has not been tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. While we have no crash-test data, there is still a lengthy list of standard and available safety features on the E-Pace to keep you and your passengers safe. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and cruise control. There’s a driver condition monitor, which detects when you're getting drowsy and lights up an icon on the instrument cluster to encourage you to take a break. There are also front and rear parking aids to help you avoid unseen obstacles.

Optional features on the E-Pace include a 360-degree surround camera, adaptive cruise control, high-speed emergency automatic braking that works at speeds up to 99 mph, 360-degree parking aids, a rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot assist, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.

The 2019 Jaguar E-PACE adds a compact crossover to the Jaguar lineup at a moment when such models are the go-to cars for the masses. What makes the E-Pace different is that it’s not simply about versatility. It adds a dose of performance to the mix, because this is a Jaguar and that means something. Jaguar is a brand with a storied history of building the kind of luxurious performance cars people aspire to buy one day.

The E-Pace keeps that history firmly in mind. It has an upscale interior with modern amenities to keep driver and passengers comfortable while easily converting into a cargo carrier. It has the sleek, sexy styling that’s key to Jaguar’s design language, and it’s a fun crossover to drive with plenty of power and exceptional handling. For crossovers shoppers who aren’t content with the everyday, the 2019 Jaguar E-Pace is a compelling option.