Prices to start at just under $50k.
The svelte, handsome Jaguar E-Pace has been detailed ahead of its Australian introduction, and promises to put up quite a fight in the segment once it arrives next April. With the entry-level model tagged at $47,750 (before ORCs), the baby Jag will prove to be one hell of a headache to the new BMW X1, undoubtedly the driver-focused benchmark it’s most intent on usurping.
Those after the poshest and plushest E-Pace will likely go for the First Edition, a limited-run of decked-out models to celebrate its arrival. The fully-laden E-Pace First Edition will hit the market at an eye-watering $84,370 when it arrives, so you’ll really have to want it to justify the outlay.
According to Jaguar, there will be a grand total of 38 E-Pace variants to choose from, with five engine choices making up the portfolio. An all-wheel drivetrain will come as standard, as will a nine-speed automatic gearbox, though the rotary gear selector we’ve come to love from Jaguar-Land Rover will be given a miss here.
The range kicks off with the base model, which most certainly won’t look like a base model on the outside. It’ll ride on 17-inch alloys and light the road ahead with LEDs (and mark itself out as it drives past with LEDs at the back), and feature a fabric interior, heated door mirrors, 10-inch InControl infotainment screen, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assistance, driver alertness monitoring, all-round parking sensors, and a reverse camera.
Further comfort kit comes in the form of dual zone climate control with rear air vents, electric parking brake, 5.0-inch driver supervision display in the dials, torque vectoring technology, push-button start, and automatic headlights. This variant comes as standard with the D150 diesel, which we’ll detail below.
The more involved driver may want to go one step up to the E-Pace R-Dynamic, which commands a price tag of $52,550. With the upgrade comes a more aggressive bodykit on the outside, along with a new steering wheel (replete with paddle shifters), chrome side vents, gloss black grille, front fog lights, sports seats with a mesh-type fabric and contrast stitching, bright metal pedals, and black headlining.
Both the base E-Pace and E-Pace R-Dynamic will be motivated by one of three engine options, starting off with the base ‘D150’ 2.0-litre turbodiesel (110kW/380Nm), ‘D180’ 2.0-litre turbodiesel (132kW/430Nm), and the ‘P250’ turbo 2.0-litre petrol (183kW/365Nm), with the latter two engines bumping the E-Pace entry price up to $50,150.
The E-Pace range starts to look properly flash once you pony up $55,200 for the S model (standard with the D150 engine). The E-Pace S comes with LED headlights (with “signature LED DRLs,” because the lower variants don’t get this, weirdly), 18-inch alloys, auto-dimming mirrors inside and out, approach lights, leather seats (of the grained variety) with 10-way power adjustment up front, Navigation Pro add-on to the infotainment system, and a Park Pack, which throws in rear cross-traffic alert and all-round parking sensors (and not an assortment of sandwiches and a blanket as its name may suggest). A ConnectPro pack also gets tacked on, which throws in WiFi connectivity and access to apps that can be added to the infotainment system.
And like with the base model, the E-Pace S R-Dynamic is the next step up ($60,000 on the nose), and adds sports seats, a grained leather interior with contrast stitching, and 18-inch alloys in a different design.
The E-Pace S range is offered with the D150 diesel as standard, though a D240 2.0-litre diesel (177kW/500Nm, $64,020) and a P300 2.0-litre petrol (221kW, 441Nm, $64,020) also join the ranks.
Step up further and you’ll find yourself in the E-Pace SE ($60,030), which sees the alloys grow to 19-inches in diameter, the tailgate gains electric operation, the headlights gain ‘high beam assistance,’ the electric front seats move in 14-directions and gain memory functionality, there’s a 380W Meridian Audio sound system added for good measure, as well as a ‘Drive Pack’ consisting of intelligent cruise control, high-speed autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and ‘Queue Assist’ which relieves the stresses from the driver by taking over acceleration/braking duty from drivers in traffic jams.
For $64,830 you can get the SE R-Dynamic which, above the SE, adds a unique set of alloy wheel designs measuring in at the same 19-inches in diameter. The SE models get their pick of the engines on offer.
Capping the standard E-Pace range will be the HSE and HSE R-Dynamic, with prices from $65,590 and $70,390 respectively. The HSE models ride on massive 20-inch alloy wheels, they get a kick-to-open tailgate, keyless entry, 18-way adjustable front seats with memory functionality (we’re still trying to count all 18 movements, by the way), a 12.3-inch fully-digital drivers’ display, and a cabin wrapped in Windsor leather for penultimate comfort.
On top of this, the HSE R-Dynamic gets its own unique 20-inch alloy wheel design, and a smarter interior with contrast stitching on its sports seats. HSE models get the pick of the bunch for engines.
For the first year of sale, Jaguar will be offering the E-Pace First Edition (overseas model pictured here), which will come in D180 diesel (D180, at $80,952) and petrol (P250, at $84,370). As commemorative flagships, these models get everything thrown at them, with things like unique 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof (non-opening, though), ambient lighting, black Windsor leather trim with red contrast stitching, Jaguar-Land Rover’s ‘Activity Key’ (which allows you to leave the key in the car and lock it with the Activity Key, which is weather & waterproof), as well as a sharp head-up display. Further, ‘First Edition’ tread plates get added to the door sills, along with unique carpet mats.
The First Edition will be available in exclusive paint options like Caldera Red, Santorini Black, and Yulong White.
The Jaguar E-Pace is Coventry’s first compact SUV, and will do battle in a hotly-contested segment against cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Lexus NX, all highly accomplished cars in their own right. We’ll have to wait for a proper test drive next year to tell you if it can hold its own, but considering the success of the larger F-Pace (Jaguar’s first-ever SUV), perhaps some concerns may be unwarranted.
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