How do you improve upon a vehicle that was named the “World Car of the Year” at the 2019 New York Auto Show? That was the challenge facing Jaguar after a panel of 86 journalists from around the world gave the I-Pace the industry’s most prestigious award at one of the biggest trade shows on the planet. Yet the engineers at Jaguar seem to have accepted the challenge. They’ve done their best to improve the I-Pace with the new 2020 model, and it shows.
The newest I-Pace remains stylish, polished and comfortable – everything needed to keep it atop the luxury SUV segment. However, the 2020 I-Pace also boasts enhanced acceleration and handling that is rare to find in a fully electric SUV. Here’s a peak inside the 2020 Jaguar I-Pace.
Exterior Styling
The I-Pace remains a Jaguar inside and out. By that we mean it’s super stylish. The exterior is sculpted to make it aerodynamic and to channel air wherever possible. An adjustable air suspension lowers the SUV when driven above 65 mph to reduce drag. Similar to Tesla’s vehicles, the Jaguar has flush door handles that pop out when touched or activated by a button on the key fob. Overall, the I-Pace remains a sleek and cool looking vehicle, which is what one would expect when buying a Jaguar (and paying premium prices for it).
Engine and Performance
For an electric vehicle in the SUV category, the I-Pace is surprisingly quick and responsive. It can sprint to 60 mph from a standing start in just 4.2 seconds, even beating some sports cars in the process. The steering and handling have been called “poised” by the automotive press and it boasts exceptional control. However, the new I-Pace loses points due to an unrefined braking system that feels like an on-off toggle with no finesse. Stopping smoothly in traffic has been described as difficult and the lift-throttle regenerative braking isn’t very strong.
Under the hood, the Jaguar I-Pace relies on a 90kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery pack that the company estimates provides up to 240 miles of driving range per battery charge. Charging times are also impressive, as 80% of the battery can be charged in 40 minutes if connected to a fast charging station.
Trimlines and Prices
There are three trimlines available for the 2020 I-Pace. These include the “S model” that costs $69,850, the “SE model” that has a starting price of $76,250 and the “HSE” trimline that will set you back at least $80,900. It is important to note that all versions of the 2020 I-Pace come with four doors, a fully electric engine, a single speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.
The main differences among the three trims involve tire size and interior bells and whistles, as well as add on technology. It is worth noting that even the base “S model” does come extremely well-equipped. Buyers should consider consider whether it’s worth the extra money to move up to the SE or HSE models.
Interior
The interior of the I-Pace is luxurious and stylish, as you would expect from a Jag. It’s been praised for being comfortable and spacious. Passengers will be pleased to know that there’s head and legroom abound in the rear seats. However, the new I-Pace has taken a few knocks for its technology. Notably, there is a bit of lag when using the touchscreen. Apparently, the touchscreen is slow to respond to commands for things such as navigation and music. There is also a lag in response with the back-up camera image. That’s not good. Hopefully Jaguar can rectify these issues moving forward.
Features and Equipment
On a more positive note, smartphone integration in the new I-Pace is terrific. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto look great on the large central touchscreen console. The top level HSE trim comes with a suite of driver aid systems that are straightforward and intuitive to use. They help to manage and drive the car in a way that feels seamless and logical.
While the lagginess that has plagued previous incarnations of the I-Pace continues to be an issue with the rear-view camera, and, to a lesser degree, the central touchscreen, this problem does seem to have been resolved in other areas of the vehicle.
Fuel Economy and Warranty Coverage
As mentioned, the 2020 I-Pace can travel up to 240 miles on a single battery charge. It can get the electric equivalent (MPGe) of 80 miles per gallon of gasoline when driven in the city, and 72 miles per gallon on the highway. These are decent numbers for an electric SUV. Also impressive is the quickness with which the I-Pace can be recharged at fast charging stations, meaning you won’t often be stuck waiting around for more juice.
As with all Jaguars, the 2020 I-Pace comes with a limited warranty of four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers). Each vehicle also carries a six-year, unlimited-mileage corrosion perforation warranty. Additionally, Jaguar accessories are covered by a one year, unlimited mileage warranty, or the remainder of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, whichever happens to be greater.
The Good
- Improved performance and handling.
- Decent driving range and quick recharging times.
- Spacious cabin with lots of head and legroom.
The Not So Good
- Braking system is unrefined.
- Image lags from rear-view camera.
- Not much difference among the three trimlines.
The Last Word
The previous 2019 I-Pace was a tough act to follow. Jaguar has taken the right approach by not trying to fix things that weren’t broken. A nip and tuck approach to the 2020 I-Pace appears to have been the right way to go. While it’s not quite perfect, the 2020 I-Pace is still one of the very best luxury electric SUVs on the market today. It rivals the very best vehicles manufactured by Tesla or other high-end nameplates. If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV and can afford the cost, then it would be worth it to consider the 2020 Jaguar I-Pace.
Source: Jaguar.com
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