PACE SETTER

Matt Allan takes Jaguar’s baby SUV for a spin

Within recent memory Jaguar was a brand not really going anywhere. In the early 2000s it had just four models, one of which was a gus si ed-up mondeo and another that was based on a 20-year-old platform.

Now it’s a marque on the march. As part of the rejuvenated Jaguar Land Rover brand it has modernised and expanded. Alongside the traditional Jag staples of luxury saloons and sleek sports cars it has entered the booming world of SUVS and is preparing for the future with its first all-electric vehicle.

That battery-powered I-pace will be with us later this year but already here for us to drive is the E-pace, little brother to the F-pace and rival to the likes of Audi’s Q3, Mercedes’ GLC and even Range Rover’s urbanite Evoque.

The first thing to note is that it looks far better in the metal than on the TV ads or in photographs. The short bonnet and cab-forward look works and has echoes of both the F-pace and F-type but is different enough not to just look like a scaled-down or scaled-up ver- si on of either. at the rear they’ ve managed to include even more of the F-type sports car with its signature light shape and some crafty sculpting. It’s perhaps not the best looking compact SUV in the premium market but it’s distinctive and offers a definitely more sporty style than its Evoque cousin.

Our test car took the sportiness to its limits with R Dynamic badging, 20-inch all-black alloys a trim-specific body kit, gloss black details, prominent twin tailpipes and a 295bhp turbo petrol engine. And inside, emphasising Jaguar’s sporty intentions for the E-pace is the pistol-grip gear lever from the F-type in place of the usual rotary selector.

It’s a shame, then, that it doesn’t really live up to the sporty target Jag have set for it. Push on and even in dynamic mode there’s a degree of softness and roll that the best sporting SUVS manage to avoid. It’s not an unenjoyable drive, the (heavy) AWD system has plenty of grip, the gearbox shifts quickly (if not always smoothly), the steering has a pleasing feel and the brakes are strong without being snatchy. But it’s just a bit too heavy and a bit too soft to be called sporty.

The P300 engine has plenty of punch even from lower revs and will quickly, very quickly, pile on speed. Its only black mark is an engine note that doesn’t do its power justice – the price of going turbo four pot instead of using aV 6 unit.

Despite the big power and R Dynamic badging, the E-pace is actually better at wafting. The engine is muted unless you’re really gunning it, road and wind noise are well under control and the ride is commendably supple.

I completed two six-hour drives on consecutive days and had no grumbles even after long spell sat the wheel. the seats are broad enough to be comfortable but still offer plenty of support and grip in the right places, and the driving position is excellent. The Union Flag patternmarked out in the perforated leather is, however, a matter of personal taste.

The interior adds to the sense of calm with a simple and clean approach. There are buttons for the things that really need buttons – the heating controls, for example – but no unnecessary ones. The 10-inch Touch Pro screen is clear and easy to use, although you could lose days customising it.

The test car also came with a 12.3-inch configurable instrument panel and a HUD, allowing for a sensible division of info between the main display, instruments and HUD. There aren’t a billion ways of configuring the dials like in an Audi but there are enough options to keep most drivers happy.

This being a modern Jaguar you can specify to your heart’s content. The range starts at a reasonable £28,500 for a 148 bhp, front-wheel-drive diesel and rises to north of £50,000 for a petrol-powered HSE R-dynamic AWD like ours.

From a sporty Jaguar point of view the E-pace is a bit of a disappointment. t hep 300 engine is powerful but characterless and the body control falls short for those after an engaging drive. Approached from the luxury point of view, however, it’s a much stronger performer. There’s room, comfort and refinement in spades and Jaguar’s recovery in the premium market shows little sign of slowing.