Jaguar I-PACE EV400 S 2020 Review

A pretty rare breed of cat, the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 S is likely to have passers-by scratching their heads and approaching you to learn more.

In short, it’s an electric vehicle in a configuration that is rapidly becoming the norm for a prestige EV.

Nominally an SUV, the I-PACE has an electric motor at the front and another at the rear, supplying torque to each axle in what amounts to an electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system.

As Jaguar’s sole EV, the I-PACE is an outlier. The closest stablemate is the cheaper and resolutely ICE (internal combustion engine) F-PACE, which is about 50mm longer and roughly 40mm wider, but 126mm shorter in the wheelbase.

The I-PACE counts among its rivals the larger and more expensive Tesla Model X, the Audi e-tron Sportback, the Mercedes-Benz EQC and the forthcoming BMW iX3.

As noted elsewhere, the Jaguar I-PACE is very competitive on price, with the range kicking off from $124,100 for the entry-level I-PACE EV400 S.

At this level the I-PACE comes with a long list of standard features, but the test vehicle, among the last of the MY20 stock in Australia, was heavily optioned up for a final cost of $155,619 before the on-road costs are added.

Key options included the 14-way power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats ($10,348), 22-inch alloy wheels with carbon-fibre inserts ($7670 with Pirelli P Zero 225/40 R22 tyres), a Driver Assistance package ($3970) and a fixed panoramic sunroof ($3380).

The Driver Assistance pack comprises blind spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control with steering assist and high-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

In addition, there were these other options fitted to the I-PACE: electronic air suspension ($2002), head-up display ($1040) and privacy glass ($845), to name but a few.

The warranty cover is currently five years or 200,000km, whichever occurs first, and there’s also five years of roadside assistance and free scheduled servicing provided. This is, however, a temporary offer that has been running for several months.

The standard factory warranty is three years/100,000km.

Jaguar recently announced an upgraded model slated to arrive before the end of 2020. This MY21 upgrade will be priced higher than the current car, starting from $128,248.

There are many reasons to buy a 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 S. Firstly, there’s the moral attraction of buying a car that is kinder to the environment – on a day-by-day basis, perhaps.

The I-PACE elegantly addresses the subject of climate change. It’s stylish and makes few compromises in being a comfortable, refined mode of transport.

Other reasons to buy the I-PACE include its relative affordability, in contrast with its German and American EV competitors. It’s a Jaguar built by Magna Steyr in Austria, so it’s more exclusive than the German competitors, and hopefully better built than a Tesla.

Practicality is a consideration too; the I-PACE is roomy and comfortable for a family of two parents and a couple of older teenagers. It will also travel decent distances on one battery charge.

But mostly, the I-PACE is a car to buy for its driving. It’s dynamically capable and satisfying to drive. And unlike rivals from other prestige brands, the I-PACE is also very easy to operate. The starter button is in plain sight, as are the buttons for the ‘transmission’ drive modes.

It’s clear that Jaguar designed the I-PACE for drivers, not games-console users.

Professional, intellectual, family-oriented and well-heeled, the target buyer for the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 S is also an enthusiast and possibly an iconoclast.

He or she is likely to own their own home, plus a holiday home down the coast where they spend a weekend a month away from the madding crowd; so range is important.

They need the room in the back of the I-PACE for a couple of teenage kids still a year or two away from obtaining their own driving licence. And maybe the owner still has a classic Jaguar safely tucked away in the garage.

The buyer chooses the I-PACE over the Mercedes EQC, the Audi e-tron or the Tesla Model X because it’s different, rather than because it’s cheaper. They love the style, which carefully straddles the line between conventional SUV and quirky EV.

Neither the purchasing decision-maker nor any other driver in the family wants a car that celebrates its electro-tech complexity and eco-friendly sustainability at the expense of driving satisfaction and ease of use.

Put the foot down, and the lower-pitched guitar-like thrumming from the two electric motors of the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 S could convert a few of the ‘sports exhaust’ traditionalists.

Power delivery is effortless; the I-PACE can accelerate as leisurely as you like, or leave you awe-struck with the aggressive kick in the back when it’s in Dynamic mode and you mash the accelerator.

Performance feels strong enough to match Jaguar’s claim of 4.8sec for the 0-100km/h run. And of course, with so much torque available, the I-PACE steadfastly holds to a set speed on any sort of hill with the cruise control enabled.

In the bends, the I-PACE handles securely, with a flat stance, although the 2.1-tonne kerb mass can be felt when you leave the braking late. Nevertheless, the Jaguar’s roadholding is on par with conventional prestige SUVs and the steering is very communicative and responsive.

Ride comfort is firm over longer, larger bumps, with slight pitching at speeds from around 80km/h, but the ride never feels punishing.

There’s no on-the-fly adjustment for the regenerative braking, such as the much cheaper Hyundai Kona provides (you need to go into the I-PACE’s main menu to select on or off), although the braking system of the I-PACE does recover energy.

The brake pedal feel is not convincing – particularly from a Jaguar – but the brakes themselves are quite strong. 

The driving position and hip point are well judged, as is the relationship to wheel and pedals. And the seats are extremely comfortable and snug.

Another option, the head-up display, is very effective and instruments are easy to read. That, in fact, is one of the Jaguar’s real virtues – you don’t need a PhD to operate it. 

Jaguar’s touch-screen design is one of the better examples for user-friendliness; it won’t overwhelm the first-time user. A couple of screens tell the driver variously whether he or she is a good little eco warrior or just a power-crazed performance fiend.

Unfortunately, the satellite navigation mapping data leaves something to be desired. My home address was listed under a generic ‘Melbourne’ address rather than the actual suburb, making it impossible to track down using the voice control. 

The optional glass roof overhead is not cheap; nor does it slide, and there’s no blind for it. Not an option recommended for those living in hotter climates.

The headlights are very effective at night. An auto high-beam facility can’t compete with the matrix lights of the Audi SQ8 for that vehicle’s balletic interplay, but the Jag’s lights do drop at once without blinding oncoming drivers, and light up the road ahead.

Rear seat accommodation is roomy, even for taller adults, and the lack of transmission tunnel frees up more legroom for the centre-seat occupant.

There are adjustable vents in the B-pillars as well, and recharging courtesy of two USB ports and a 12-volt power outlet in the rear of the centre console. The occupants in the rear also score seat heating switches to keep warm during the winter months.

And with all that, would we buy one? In an I-pacemaking heartbeat...

How much does the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 S cost?
Price: $124,100 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now, but with an MY21 update due soon
Motor: Two synchronous permanent-magnet electric motors
Output: 294kW/696Nm
Battery: 90kWh lithium-ion
Range: 470km (WLTP)
Energy use: 23kWh (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)