2019 Jaguar E-Pace

The 2019 Jaguar E-Pace has two engine choices that deliver adequate power, but acceleration is noticeably slower than most classmates. Fuel economy is also below average for the class. The E-Pace has a balanced ride and agile handling.

• "Going up against the likes of the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Jaguar E-Pace … retains the sporty dynamics Jaguar is known for yet also introduces a reasonable level of off-road capabilities." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Spanking the E-Pace P300 R-Dynamic up and down Corsica's mountain roads felt like flogging a fully insured vacation rental car. Initially thrilling, quickly tiring, and by the tenth time your luggage rolls across the cargo bay you're wondering: 'why am I doing this?' Now part of me feels like a bully here, knocking what is really meant to be a small practical luxury car for being too soft for canyon carving duty. On one hand, I mean, of course it is. But at the same time, if you put the face of an F-Type on something and have a switch with a checkered flag on the console, certain expectations are going to be set. And the E-Pace comes up short on pure driving pleasure." -- Jalopnik (2018)
• Yet, despite its flawed handling and scale-crunching weight, the … Jaguar E-Pace will surely be a success. The average potential buyer is unlikely to notice either on their usual urban streets, suburban boulevards, and wide freeways. Instead, they'll notice the … punchy engine and quiet ride." -- Automobile Magazine (2018)

Acceleration and Power

The 2019 E-Pace comes standard with a 246-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A 296-horsepower turbo four-cylinder is optional. All models feature a nine-speed automatic transmission. The E-Pace gets 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with its base engine, which is below average for the class. The optional engine drops fuel economy on the highway by 1 mpg.

Automotive critics disagree about the E-Pace's engine and transmission performance. Some think the SUV has good power and gets moving quickly, while others think that the engine is unrefined.

• "Slip behind the wheel, stomp on the throttle and you’ll quickly be in for a pleasant surprise." -- Kelley Blue Book
• Jaguar's 296 horsepower four-cylinder has plenty of pep to pull around the E-Pace's 4,100 pounds, but the ZF-sourced nine-speed auto is the weak link in the chain. Up- and down-shifts are leisurely and can't be coaxed to move any faster with the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Just an example of how the nine-speed hurts performance - the E-Pace can go from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds but requires 6.4 seconds to reach 62mph, with a lazy gear change the likely reason for that half-second penalty." -- Left Lane News (2018)
• JLR's 2.0-liter Ingenium engine isn't the smoothest in class. There's almost a diesellike graininess at idle and under light throttle at low speed, especially when cold. But it delivers good performance and drivability on the road. The nine-speed automatic transmission has been recalibrated to deliver smoother and faster shifts, especially in Dynamic mode, and R-Dynamic models also benefit from having paddle shifters on the steering wheel for drivers who like DIY driving in the twisty bits." -- Motor Trend (2018)

Handling and Braking

The E-Pace comes standard with all-wheel drive. It has moderately athletic handling, even if the steering can feel light and vague sometimes. The ride is soft and comfortable over most surfaces.

• "Even the base version has a delightfully sporty feel as you enter tight corners, and that’s enhanced when you’re driving the E-Pace R-Design, which punches out a spry 296 horsepower from its turbocharged inline-4. Steering is precise, with just the right sense of boost. And, despite weighing in a bit over 4,000 pounds -- depending upon the model and options -- the E-Pace never feels lumbering. We’re particularly fond of the optional Active Driveline system. This all-wheel-drive package helps boost on-road handling by shifting torque to the wheels that most need it. But it also improves grip in bad weather, as well, as when driving off-road." -- Kelley Blue Book
• It responds well, even if you'll never mistake it for a sporty anything -- the steering is just a little too vague and the body roll, while well-controlled via the continuously variable Adaptive Dynamics dampers, is still more than I'd have liked." -- Autoweek (2018)
• "As is befitting something wearing a Jaguar badge, the E-Pace's handling is on the sporty side and the ride is a bit firm -- particularly on my test model's 20-inch low-profile tires (21s are available)." -- CNET (2018)