Can Jaguar’s compact SUV bring enough flair and dynamic polish to make it a tempting used buy?
When it launched, the Jaguar E-Pace diversified the brand away from its regular crop of buyers by appealing to a younger and trendier audience.And this bold move proved successful, with the compact SUV having scored almost 100,000 sales across Europe to date.The F-Type sports car had the biggest influence on the E-Pace’s design, with its ovoid headlights, wraparound tail-lights, pronounced haunches, and wheels pushed as close to the car’s extremities as was reasonably possible.It’s a handsome thing that still has presence today.Less appealing was its technical make-up: it had an all-steel body and sat on an old Ford platform, which meant it tipped the scales at 1768kg, making it similar in weight to the considerably larger F-Pace.As such, when we first drove the E-Pace, we found it didn’t deliver the poise and finesse that we had come to expect from a Jaguar.It was inoffensive and by no means bad to drive, with its well-tuned steering shining through, but a brittle low-speed ride meant that it didn’t excel at balancing athleticism with comfort.Several diesel and petrol engines were offered in various tunes.Mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains were added later when the E-Pace received a number of upgrades, the most notable being a switch to JLR’s PTA platform, which underpinned the second-generation Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque of 2019.Both front- and four-wheel drive were available, while a smooth, ZF-supplied nine-speed automatic gearbox was standard on all cars.The 1.5-litre petrol fours and lesser 2.0-litre diesel fours were a bit sluggish, so we would suggest the 178bhp D180 as a used buy: it struck the best compromise between oomph and economy (expect around 50mpg).If you don’t do enough miles to justify a diesel, the 2.0-litre petrol four could be had with 197bhp, 247bhp or, later on, 296bhp. If you want to tow, the 237bhp D240 should be ideal.The 296bhp P300e plug-in hybrid, introduced in 2019, promised up to 34 miles of electric-only range and was a welcome addition for its punchy combination of petrol engine and electric motor.A used PHEV E-Pace will always be dearer than its pure-ICE counterpart, though, and you will need to have reliable access to a charger at home or work.Crucially, the E-Pace espoused the traditional luxury brand values of its F-Pace big brother inside, with plush leather seats, chrome trim and a neatly organised dashboard.A selection of cheaper plastics conspired to lessen the upmarket feel, but it still had rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan licked for material quality.Opt for the later facelifted car if you want even more opulence and slicker technology (primarily a new touchscreen that’s larger and nicer to use).The E-Pace is also capacious for its size, being able to comfortably accommodate both children and adults in the rear, with the latter able to find a relaxing seating position thanks to generous rear head and leg room.Impressive interior quality and clever packaging are Jaguar hallmarks, of course, but they are likely to come at a much higher price in future as the brand remodels itself as a maker of ultra-luxury electric cars.A used E-Pace for £9000 seems like a bargain when you consider that direction of travel – and, now that it’s on the chopping block, should bring an air of exclusivity to your everyday commute.
