Used 2020 Jaguar I-PACE

The 2020 Jaguar I-Pace is a premium-compact-crossover SUV, but also has the distinction of being an all-electric vehicle. It was designed from the outset to deploy an electric drivetrain, meaning it didn’t have to accommodate an internal-combustion engine. So the two electric motors (one for each axle) and the battery pack are stowed away neatly, leaving plenty of room for people and cargo.

And because it’s a Jaguar, the I-Pace has arguably attractive styling and an undeniably entertaining driving experience. The electric motors add a silent swiftness to the mix.

Here’s the big thing, though: The I-Pace is capable of covering 234 miles. Among luxury electrics, only Tesla’s vehicles can do better. The Model X — Tesla’s crossover SUV — costs thousands more. The other all-electric crossover SUV is the Audi e-tron, which can achieve 204 miles. But, like the Model X, it’s bigger. Any buyers able to wait might also like to see what the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic has to offer when it goes on sale.

Electric drivetrains have a super power. They can deliver virtually all of their thrust right from standstill. The 2020 I-Pace can therefore be exceptionally quick off the line. But there’s no exhaust blare, just a subdued whoosh. The two motors together deliver 512 lb-ft of torque, which is remarkable for a vehicle of this modest size.

The battery pack is positioned beneath the floor between the axles, giving the I-Pace an advantageously low center of gravity. In tandem with the motors’ positioning, front-to-rear weight distribution is an ideal 50:50.

With the wheels pushed out to the corners, the I-Pace feels well planted, while the precise steering responds even more enthusiastically when the Sport driving mode is selected. The standard adaptive air suspension provides a ride that’s taut and controlled yet also comfortable. That’s a Jaguar specialty.

The I-Pace also has simulated torque vectoring using the brakes. It can subtly slow individual wheels for optimum stability through quick corners.

There are two levels to the regenerative-braking system. The highest level means the I-Pace can come to a stop just by lifting off the accelerator. However, it’s a bit too aggressive for smooth one-pedal driving through curvy sections.

As we mentioned, the I-Pace was designed as an electric vehicle (EV), as opposed to adapting a conventional car to take a different drivetrain. The happy outcome is the ratio of passenger and cargo room to hardware space.

Five occupants can fit in easily and comfortably (although 35 inches of rear legroom is not quite as good as the Audi Q5 or BMW X3), while a fixed panoramic glass roof contributes a welcome airiness. There’s 25.3 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expanding to 51 cubic feet when they’re folded down. An extra one cubic foot of stowage space is under the small hood.

Outward vision is generally good, with only peripheral vision hindered by thick pillars front and rear. But the raised driving position is a well-loved attribute of crossover SUVs. Seat comfort, meanwhile, is worthy of the “luxury” description, along with the quality of the cabin materials, high-tech screens and dashboard layout.

Yes, the 2020 I-Pace looks similar to other Jaguar crossover SUVs like the F-Pace and E-Pace. Which is most likely a plus point for many people. But these lines and proportions integrate to create a sleek shape: a 0.29 coefficient of drag is good for a crossover SUV. Less drag means more miles of range.

The I-Pace doesn’t need a radiator, but the traditional-looking grille funnels air up into a large hood vent to aid aerodynamic efficiency, while the large intakes ensure cool front brakes.

The top half has sporty design cues; the lower half is more traditional SUV, with a stepped lower sill and standard 18-inch wheels filling the wheelwells.

SUSPENSION AND DRIVE MODES
The suspension is fully adjustable and brings variable ride heights, so the I-Pace can drop closer to the road at freeway speeds or raise itself up to wade through nearly 20 inches of water. There are also hill-ascent and hill-descent features with a form of cruise control to self-regulate vehicle speed, plus AdSR (Adaptive Surface Response), which senses any wheel slippage to help on low-grip surfaces.

SMART NAVIGATION
Range is crucial for owners of electric vehicles, and charging points are not as common as gas stations. The smart navigation system in the 2020 I-Pace not only takes the route into consideration and the location of recharging stations along the way, but also the topography (uphill stretches require more energy), plus the user’s driving style to make accurate range predictions.

Trim levels for the 2020 I-Pace are S, SE and HSE.

The S version comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive, rain-sensing wipers, fixed panoramic roof, simulated-leather upholstery, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, ambient cabin lighting, front/rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, self-steering parking feature, 11-speaker/380-watt Meridian sound system, navigation, Bluetooth, automatic emergency braking with cyclist/pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, Clear Exit monitoring, road-sign recognition, and Wi-Fi.

The SE brings real leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, power tailgate, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with stop/go.

The range-topping HSE brings nicer leather upholstery, 360-degree camera system, heated rear seats, gesture-controlled/power tailgate, and a 15-speaker/825-watt Meridian audio system. Some of the HSE’s equipment is available in the lower two trims.

Other options include 22-inch alloy wheels, heated seats front and rear, Suedecloth headliner/steering-wheel covering, wood or carbon-fiber cabin accents, heated steering wheel/windshield/washer jets, head-up display, quad-zone climate control, cabin air-ionization system, adaptive dynamics, adaptive surface-response system.

A combination of two electric motors endows the 2020 I-Pace with all-wheel drive, but it also has the ability to send power from front to rear as required. Each motor generates 197 horsepower and 256 lb-ft of torque.

To replenish the lithium-ion battery pack fully, Jaguar says it takes about 12.9 hours on a 230-volt AC Level 2 charger at home, and about 10 hours to 80 percent charge. A 50-kWh DC high-speed system takes about 85 minutes for a full charge or 40 minutes to 80 percent.

The battery pack has an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. If it falls below 70-percent efficiency during that time, Jaguar will replace it.

Two permanent magnet electric motors
90-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
394 horsepower
512 lb-ft of torque
Estimated range per full charge: 234 miles
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 80/72 MPGe