2022 Jaguar I-Pace

Not only is the 2022 Jaguar I-Pace one of the most accomplished cars in its segment, but it's also on the cheaper side of things when compared to competitors such as the Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron Sportback. The only 2022 trim left, the HSE, has a 2022 MSRP just $50 more than last year's entry-level S trim - a base price of $69,900 which excludes tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,150. Last year's HSE had an MSRP of $80,900, so this represents a saving of $11,000 over last year, yet with a higher level of standard features. This is a lot less than its main rival from Tesla, with the Jaguar I-Pace's cost coming in $30k cheaper than the Model X's Long Range derivative.

The I-Pace is a car with two distinct personalities; the one wants to race other cars at any given opportunity and exploit the 512 lb-ft of torque from every traffic light, but on the other hand, it must deliver a civilized driving experience for the majority of owners who will be driving this car with a modicum of responsibility. When it comes to the driving and handling experience, the I-Pace delivers a pleasing combination of dynamic ability and relaxed cruising. The standard active air suspension system melts away low-speed bumps and offers a relaxing driving experience when sitting at cruising speed. In the same breath, the I-Pace can be thrown around a set of corners with surprising glee: it feels agile despite its heavy curb weight, and there's lots of steering feedback. Push too hard and the I-Pace will turn to progressive understeer. One issue we experienced was with the braking system, which felt uneven and grabby.

Most car manufacturers are in a tailspin to get an EV product to market, and as we've seen with the likes of Tesla, this can lead to shortcuts being taken, resulting in issues with panel fitment and interior fit and finish. Jaguar, on the other hand, is well versed in the ways of building good cars; the I-Pace brims with confidence and capability and offers great value for how much it costs - a lot more so this year. We think its crossover SUV body style and design features look great with its large 20-inch wheels, and we are in love with its sleek and stylish interior, which offers more refinement in comparison to the Tesla Model X. On the road, the I-Pace can be comfortable when needed, but also shows a sporty side, which outshines the Audi e-tron - not to mention the fact that it's blisteringly quick. Its charging times have now been improved thanks to the more powerful on-board charger, so if we can just get its range extended by a few miles, this crossover would be leagues ahead of the rest.

There is only one 2022 Jaguar I-Pace and it's the top-line HSE with a high level of appointments and a full suite of driver-assistance features. It comes in at only $50 more than last year's base S trim and represents unprecedented value for money in terms of what we've been used to from Jaguar in this class. It might not be as big as a Tesla Model X, but it's better finished and a whopping $30,000 cheaper. There might be only one I-Pace left, but it's better value than ever.

Audi has launched a full-frontal electric assault on its competitors, and one of its weapons of choice is the e-tron Sportback, which combines SUV practicality with svelte looks. Under the skin, the e-tron packs a massive punch: there are two asynchronous electric motors in play, with a total power output of 402 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. The zero to sixty sprint will take around 5.5 seconds to complete. Audi claims a maximum range of 220 miles, which is slightly less than you get from the I-Pace. There's no doubting the fact that the Audi e-tron is a quick car, but on the road, and especially when pushing on, it feels disconnected from the driver, and we will happily say that the I-Pace is the better driver's car. The interior is typically Audi with its clinically precise layout and fantastic build quality. Interior and cargo space is also good. We'd still go with the more entertaining Jaguar, thanks, especially since its price reduction keeps it within $800 of the base e-tron Sportback.

The Model X is Tesla's luxury SUV offering growing in popularity in the US, and features a ton of modern driver assistance tech along with brutal acceleration. Tesla's SUV is powered by a pair of electric motors: the front axle gets an AC permanent magnet synchronous motor while the rear axle gets its own AC induction motor. Together, the two motors produce a combined 670 horsepower in the Long Range model. We were blown away by this SUV's acceleration, which is listed by Tesla as only needing 3.8 seconds to get to 60 mph, as well as having an impressively long 360-mile range when driven with a light foot on a full charge. However, it is much pricier than the Jaguar - to the tune of $30,000. Both the exterior and interior are stylish, and there's also a ton of cargo space in the back. Build quality lags behind the Jaguar, however, and the infotainment system can be somewhat tricky to operate when driving. Overall, the Model X is a very compelling package, and would win this comparison if the build quality was up to scratch. We'd opt for the I-Pace here.