2019 Jaguar I-PACE Road Test and Review

2019 Jaguar I Pace Blue Driving Sunset Front Quarter ・ Photo by Jaguar

Elon Musk and his Teslas have had the luxury electric car space all to itself for more than a decade. But that’s all over now. Here comes the competition. In 2019 a handful of major automakers, including Porsche, Aston Martin, and Audi, will introduce high-end electrics aimed at Tesla, and the first to hit the market is the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace.

Jaguar’s timing is perfect with this SUV. Customer deliveries have already begun and demand is high. Mr. Musk should be paying attention because the I-Pace will make Jag an immediate player in the electrified luxury vehicle class. In addition to the Tesla Model 3, Model S and Model X, the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace will also eventually compete with the Porsche Taycan, Aston Martin Rapide E, the Audi e-Tron, and the 2020 Mercedes EQC.

Three Trim Levels To Choose From

Built in Austria, the 2019 Jaguar I-PACE is the first of many electrified vehicles promised by Jaguar Land Rover. The British automaker has said all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles from 2020 will be electrified, stating, “We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles as well as continuing to offer ultra-clean petrol and diesel engines.”

Jag calls the I-Pace an “all-electric performance SUV”, and it offers the new model in three trim levels, H, SE, and HSE. Unlike some electrified vehicles, which are available in only certain regions of the country, the I-Pace can be bought or leased in all 50 states. There are also tax incentives and rebates for buyers in many states, including California, New York, and Florida, and the I-Pace is universally eligible for all HOV lanes with just its driver aboard.

Photo by Jaguar

Priced Against the Tesla Model X

Every I-Pace is all-wheel drive. Prices start at $70,495, including $995 for destination and handling, and climb to $81,495 for the HSE. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, navigation, LED headlights, onboard Wifi and a few high tech driver aids including a rear traffic monitor. Our HSE test vehicle came standard with 20-inch wheels, heated and cooled front seats and a longer list of driver aids including adaptive cruise control with steering assist and high-speed emergency braking. With options, it’s sticker price climbed to $88,265.

Those prices put the 2019 Jaguar I-PACE right in the heart of Tesla country. Tesla’s all-wheel-drive SUV, the Model X, costs about the same as the Jaguar, at right around $70,000 for the entry-level 75D model. The Model X 100D costs about $90,000 and the top P100D model starts at over $125,000. The Tesla Model 3, which starts around $32,000 with rear-wheel drive and about $41,000 with all-wheel drive, is much less expensive. So is the base Tesla Model S, which starts around $64,000, although its prices climb to over $120,000 for the P100D model.

Photo by Tesla

Charges Quickly

If its battery charge is depleted, Jaguar says the I-Pace can achieve an 80 percent charge in 85 minutes on a typical 50 kW DC rapid charger, which are found at many public charging stations. On a 100 kW DC public charger Jag says the I-Pace can achieve an 80 percent charge in just 45 minutes.

For charging at home you can purchase and install a Jaguar approved 220 volt home charger which can fully charge the SUV’s batteries in about 13 hours. On a conventional 110-volt house outlet it takes much longer. During our few days with the car we drove it about 100 miles each day and charged it only on a 110 volt home outlet, plugging it in every night before tucking in the kids. By morning it was ready to go, with full batteries and the range readout telling me I had over 240 miles of charge.

Photo by Jaguar

Plenty of Real-World Range

According to the EPA, the Jaguar I-Pace can be driven 234 miles on a full charge, which is more than enough for most buyers with a typical commute and daily travels. Unless you plan to drive the Jag cross-country, range anxiety should not be a problem in the I-Pace. Still, buyers should keep in mind that the SUV’s real-world performance depends on your driving habits.

Use of its Dynamic mode and air conditioning combined with aggressive throttle applications will diminish the Jaguar’s range, while its ECO mode can extend its range. In our experience with the SUV, the EPA’s 234 mile range estimation is right on if you drive it normally in Comfort mode, but it’s important to remember that the I-Pace’s real-world range is closer to 205 miles as you’d always want to leave a cushion of about 25 miles to get you home or to the next charger.

Photo by Jaguar

Less Range than Some Competitors

I found the driving range of the 2019 Jaguar I-PACE to be sufficient for my lifestyle. Although many of its main competitors offer about the same number of driving miles per battery charge, some do offer more. Tesla says the range of its Model 3 sedan is between 260 and 310 miles depending on the model, and the Tesla Model X, which can be much more expensive than the Jag, offers 237 to 295 miles of range.

Sometime next year Porsche will introduce the all-electric Taycan with a starting price of around $75,000 and a range estimated to be around 310 miles. Mercedes is also about to launch its EQC, which is an all-electric SUV with about 250 miles of range. It’s expected to cost about the same as the I-Pace. Then there’s the much less expensive Chevy Bolt. No, it’s not as fancy, and it doesn’t wear a luxury badge, but the Bolt performs well, seats five and has a battery range of 238 miles.

Photo by Tesla

Quiet and Quick

Every 2019 Jaguar I-PACE is powered by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors. The Jaguar’s electric powertrain is dead silent except for the soothing whir of its electric motors, and its total output is impressive with 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque. Jag says the I-Pace can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and it has a top speed of 124 mph. That’s quicker than the Tesla Model X 75D which takes 4.9 seconds to get to 60 mph, and the P100, which takes 4.7 seconds. The Model X P100D, however, will smoke the Jag along with most of the world’s exotic supercars, running from 0-60 mph in an incredible 2.9 seconds.

In other words, the Jaguar I-Pace is crazy quick, especially in Dynamic mode, which unleashes a little extra oomph. Punch the Jag’s throttle and its thrust will make your friends either giggle with delight or scream in fear. It pushes you back in the seat and leaves other traffic far behind. Merging on the highway even with the weight of five passengers aboard is stress-free.

Photo by Jaguar

Refined and Fun to Drive

From behind the wheel, the Jag feels like the perfect blend of an SUV, a luxury sedan and high-performance sports coupe. The driver can choose between two regenerative braking modes, which capture the energy and send it to the battery pack. Dial it up and the I-Pace slows more intensely when you lift off the throttle. The Jag’s brakes are powerful, but they’re a just a bit grabby around town and the pedal feel could be more natural.

Its steering response is perfect and the SUV’s low center of gravity, all-wheel drive, and large 20-inch tires offer secure handling. At almost 4800 lbs, the I-Pace is heavy, but it feels small and light from the driver's seat and it maneuvers like an athletic sports sedan. The ride is firm but comfortable, body roll is well controlled when you push it into a corner and it cruises effortlessly on the highway.

Photo by Jaguar

Cool, Family Friendly Interior

Luxurious and modern, the interior of the 2019 Jaguar I-PACE has an overall feeling of quality. Panel fitment is precise and all the controls work with a satisfying heft and precision. Some of the ergonomics, like the Jag’s push-button shifter, take some getting used to and some may find the optional Lightweight Performance front seats to be too firm. On the center of the SUV’s dash is a large touchscreen for its infotainment system. Unfortunately, its navigation and other functions aren’t as easy to use as some others at this price point including Tesla’s. The system does feature Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and onboard Wifi.

Its rear seat is family friendly. Three can fit across comfortably, and its interior storage is substantial. The Jag offers a deep center console bin, sizable door pockets and there’s a large shelf under the shifter. Trunk space is also considerable. The I-Pace offers 25.3 cubic feet of trunk space behind the rear seats, and the back seat folds flat to increase the space to 52.0 cubic feet. There’s also a small storage compartment under its front hood.

Photo by Jaguar

Final Thoughts

Although electric vehicles remain a very small percentage of new car sales, Tesla has proven that luxury buyers are enthusiastic about the technology and they’re willing to pay up for sexy, big-buck EVs. This has caused the world’s automakers to devote huge resources to creating electric cars with more range, dynamic design and improved driving characteristics, and the 2019 I-Pace proves Jaguar’s money has been well spent.

The I-Pace is comfortable, its performance is awesome and it’s fun to drive. Its interior is also beautifully finished and its rear seat space is family ready. In a class rapidly expanding with compelling competitors, the 2019 Jaguar I-PACE is a very desirable luxury EV.

Photo by Jaguar