Used 2023 Jaguar I-PACE

Having made its debut in 2019, this electric Jaguar started out as a credible Tesla alternative. But everything changes. Electric vehicles (EVs) from Audi, Lexus, Volvo, and Genesis are now available, with similar ranges to the I-Pace but lower prices.

Some things keep the I-Pace special, however. The driving experience for one, the styling for another. And if some people’s memories of older Jaguars were distinctly un-special, the I-Pace rewrites the script completely.

This model is built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria — the same company that has always made the Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV and is also producing the BMW Z4 roadster.

Anyone who actually likes driving owes it to themselves to drive a Jaguar. It doesn’t really matter which model. Take some time in it, go on some favorite roads with it, get a feel for the way it flows through corners, remaining comfortable yet never slack, taut without being harsh.

That’s the Jaguar principle. And it’s present in the 2023 I-Pace all-electric SUV. By using a lot of lightweight aluminum in the body’s construction, the drivetrain’s considerable 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque pack quite a punch when prodded. It will spring from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, with plenty of muscle kept in reserve for passing maneuvers at higher speeds.

This electric Jaguar includes selectable levels of brake regeneration. The most forceful setting enables one-pedal driving, with plenty of control just by pressing or lifting off the accelerator. The I-Pace also comes standard with an adaptive air suspension with a range of settings from sporty to comfortable, plus changes in ride heights — lifting to suit a dirt road or lowering for optimum aerodynamics on freeways.

This is Jaguar’s smallest SUV, but the I-Pace still takes four adults in comfort — five in a pinch. Electric motors take up less space than combustion engines, so that means more room for people and things.

The dashboard houses a 12.3-inch digital driver information display as well as a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. All the cabin materials are of suitably high quality.

Rear legroom is a generous 35 inches. Behind the rear seats — which split and fold in a 40/20/40 fashion — is a similarly generous luggage area of 25.3 cubic feet. This opens out to nearly 54 cubic feet when those seats are folded. There’s almost a cubic foot of storage space under the hood, plus some stowage beneath the back seats.

It looks like it drives and drives like it looks. There’s a stylish athleticism to the 2023 I-Pace all-electric SUV, a trait it shares with other Jaguar vehicles.

As well as 22-inch alloy wheels in gloss black joining the options list, Ostuni Pearl White succeeds Yulong White. Fuji White is the only no-cost paint option. Most of the other finishes are $750, with a couple priced at $1,550.

Other cosmetic choices include side mirror housings, plus window and grille surrounds, all finished in either black or chrome.

MERIDIAN SURROUND-SOUND SYSTEM
The Brits don’t have great reputations for dentistry or fine cuisine, but they can rustle up some serious (and seriously expensive) audio equipment. Like the Meridian company, whose products are rated highly. The good news is that this 825-watt/17-speaker setup is standard in the 2023 I-Pace.

AMAZON ALEXA COMPATIBILITY
New this year and part of the 2023 I-Pace’s standard equipment, this brings many functions — such as navigation, playing music/audio books, controlling Alexa-connected devices at home, and receiving weather updates. It’s all controlled through spoken commands.

Yes, there’s a lot of standard equipment in this HSE trim of the 2023 I-Pace luxury electric SUV. But it’s disappointing that the head-up display and headlight power washers both become optional this year, while the Clear Exit Monitor function and front passenger seat memory settings have been ditched completely.

The inventory still includes an adaptive air suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights/daytime running lights/taillights, powered tailgate, fixed panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/start, remote functions, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated/ventilated/16-way power-adjustable front seats (with driver’s-side memory settings). Other standard kit includes a 12.3-inch digital driver information display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, front/rear parking sensors, and a garage door opener.

Among the safety features are forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control with steering assistance.

New tech features this year are wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The 2023 I-Pace also comes with a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice-controllable navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, five USB ports, and a Meridian surround-sound system.

Buyers can spend up to $3,900 on a set of 22-inch alloy wheels, which are equipped with high-performance summer tires. Other extras include a Cold Climate package with heated windshield/washer jets/steering wheel, 4-zone automatic climate control, nicer leather, hands-free tailgate operation, parking assistance/360-degree camera system, head-up display, rearview camera mirror, Wi-Fi, and (annoyingly, at $215) a shade for the panoramic roof.

An electric motor at each axle provides a form of all-wheel drive that’s standard in the 2023 I-Pace luxury SUV. Combined output is 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque.

Energy comes from a 90-kilowatt/hour lithium-ion battery pack. Maximum range is estimated at 234 miles.

The standard battery warranty is for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s if the battery pack’s efficiency goes below 70%.

It takes about nine hours for a full recharge on a 240-volt home setup. A DC fast charger supplies 63 miles of range in 15 minutes or so.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) figures for electric vehicles. The agency’s combined cycle (a mix of 45% highway driving and 55% in the city), the I-Pace is estimated to achieve 76 MPGe. The EPA estimates here are from 2021 (no 2022 EPA figures were published for the I-Pace). We don’t expect any changes for 2023.

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