2020 Jaguar E-Pace Review: For Families With Style

The Jaguar E-Pace has been slightly refined for 2020, but it remains mostly unchanged. It still presents buyers with a choice of two capable turbo-four engines, developing either 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, or 296 hp and 295 lb-ft for all four wheels. This gives it plenty of power in the subcompact segment, and, coupled with nimble handling, it delivers a pretty compelling driving experience. Apart from good looks on the outside, the inside of the Jag is handsome, too, although some odd choices when it comes to materials hold the SUV back from feeling truly worth its premium price tag. Still, if you're looking for a well-appointed, stylish family subcompact, the E-Pace is worth considering. It provides a fair amount of passenger space, plenty of cargo space, and more than a few standard comfort and convenience features, if you're willing to pay, that is.

What’s the Price of The 2020 Jaguar E-Pace SUV?

Any way you look at it, the Jaguar E-Pace is a pricey SUV. Yes, you get good looks, a capable powertrain, and a fair amount of tech, but the base-level P250 is still pretty pricey at $39,950 MSRP. Up a trim level, the SE pushes the base price up almost $4,000 to $43,700. Like those powered by the P250 engine, the P300 R-Dynamic range starts with the S, at $46,600. For an extra $2,600, you can pick up the SE, while the top-of-the-range HSE Jaguar E-Pace will cost you $52,950. For 2020, there is a special edition Checkered Flag trim, which will cost $46,400. All the Jaguar E-Pace prices in the USA are exclusive of tax, registration, licensing, and Jaguar's $995 destination charge.

Handling and Driving Impressions

While the stubby SUV may be a bit heavier than the norm for the segment, at over two tons, it is still remarkably spry on the road. Both engines deliver energetic acceleration, which combines with precise steering to produce an engaging driving experience.

At low speeds around town, the SUV's steering is light, making it even easier to maneuver around tight streets and busy parking lots, but it gains some heft at higher speeds with good on-center feel. Despite its size and weight, the E-Pace handles more like a car than a typical crossover. It bobs and leans a little during spirited driving in our test drive experience, but this actually improves the fun rather than inducing terror.

The standard all-wheel drivetrain gives the Jag impressive handling and power distribution, but the torque vectoring system that comes with the R-Dynamic offers even better traction by directing power to any of the four wheels independently. And while the SUV might offer a smooth ride, upgrading to the 19- or 20-inch wheels does have a negative impact on this.

The cabin is well-insulated and dampens most exterior noise, but there have been a number of complaints about the engine noise leaking in, especially when it whines during high acceleration.

Verdict: Is the Jaguar E-Pace A Good car?

The E-Pace is a bit of an out-of-place crossover, trying to fill a segment below the compact F-Pace, while delivering the same level of quality. And, while we may love the F-Pace for hitting nearly every nail on the head, the E-Pace seems to leave us with more sore thumbs than anything else.

For reasons unknown, Jaguar used the bulkier platform of the old Range Rover Evoque as the foundation for the subcompact E-Pace. This means the designers had to shave off a few inches to fit the segment, resulting in a slightly snub-nosed appearance. And, though the E-Pace may still manage to look pretty good, it inherits the absurd weight of the larger Evoque. This means that the engines available to the subcompact, while still competent, can feel slightly underpowered considering how much the SUV weighs. But the E-Pace is still a pretty fun and engaging driver, despite these shortcomings.

Inside, it provides quite a bit of space, especially for cargo, but the rear seats can feel a little cramped over long drives. However, Jaguar made some unusual choices when it comes to materials. The standard leather upholstery is quite plush, but hard plastics around the cabin ruin the premium feel that we have come to expect from our Jags.

For those looking for a smaller version of the F-Pace, the E-Pace is certainly a viable alternative. But, in this price range, there are certainly better choices out there, especially if you look at the German market.

What Jaguar E-Pace Model Should I Buy?

The Jaguar E-Pace is not a cheap crossover, so those who want the best value for their money should probably set their sights low. That's not to say you will be getting very little, though. Even the base-model P250 comes with a capable powertrain and a well-appointed cabin. It may not look quite as sporty as the R-Dynamic models, but it will deliver just as much fun on the road. The smaller wheels also give you the best ride comfort, and the leather-appointed ten-way seats are certainly more than comfortable enough. The available Drive Pro and Park Pro packages add some nice-to-have driver-assistance features, but they push the price up a fair amount. You'll need to balance convenience and comfort with your checkbook.

2020 Jaguar E-Pace Comparisons

2020 Jaguar E-Pace vs Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

While the E-Pace may be based on the same platform as the US's old Range Rover Evoque, the latter is a bit more truck-like than the sleek and curvy subcompact. The E-Pace also shaves a few inches off the Evoque's platform to squeeze it into the subcompact segment. Oddly enough, the larger SUV actually provides less cargo capacity behind the rear seats, but passenger space is mostly on par. With its complete redesign for 2020, the Evoque is far more modern than it used to be, with all the same features you'll find in its Jag cousin. However, the materials inside the Evoque are far more consistent, giving it a more quality feel. In true Land Rover fashion, the Range Rover Evoque is the more capable off-roader, but it can't tow quite as much as the E-Pace, with a max capacity of 3,306 lbs. Between the two SUVs, the Evoque is the more premium, and more expensive, choice, but the E-Pace is almost as good. So, it will mostly come down to personal taste on style and interior quality.

2020 Jaguar E-Pace vs Jaguar F-Pace

The big brother to the E-Pace, the Jaguar F-Pace gets everything you'd expect from a larger segment, including the higher price tag. The standard engine on the compact SUV is comparable with that on the E-Pace, developing 247 hp and 269 lb-ft. However, the available supercharged V8, with 542 hp, gives the F-Pace insane performance to go with its impressive handling. It doesn't hurt that the compact weighs in a bit lighter than the subcompact while still providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior is a bit more premium, too, but that's to be expected from a higher price bracket. If you can afford it, the F-Pace is the better choice between the two crossovers, and it doesn't have the same snub-nosed image as the E-Pace.