Electric Cars under $40,000, Jaguar I-Pace

THE JAGUAR I-PACE is the first in a new crop of luxury EVs from traditional automakers, including Audi (see page 16), BMW, MercedesBenz, and Porsche. Thanks to its low center of gravity and quick steering, the I-Pace is agile and eager to take corners like a sports car. Like all EVs, its acceleration is smooth and instant, but the I-Pace is quicker than most: We clocked it at 4.3 seconds in our 0 to 60 mph test, which puts it in sports car territory. But the firm ride may be a surprise to those who expect a cushier cruise from a Jaguar. Electric Cars under $40,000, Jaguar I-Pace

The I-Pace is elegant and modern inside. It feels like a conventional car built by a luxury car company, and its quiet cabin feels wellcrafted. We found the roomy front seats to be comfortable and supportive even on long drives, and the rear seat is livable. But the fussy infotainment system and touch-screen climate controls prove clunky to operate. Although it might look like an SUV in pictures, the I-Pace is more like a tall hatchback. The driver has a commanding view of the road in front, but the sloping roofline blocks visibility to the rear and sides. There isn’t much room for cargo, either.

An EPA-rated 234-mile range gives the I-Pace fewer miles per charge than a Tesla Model S or X, let alone the less expensive Chevrolet Bolt or Hyundai Kona EV. We observed that cold weather and frequent stops can cut that range dramatically.

The Jaguar’s massive 90-kWh battery takes about 13 hours to charge from nearly empty using a 240-volt charger. Although 100-kW DC fast chargers may be hard to find, they can give the I-Pace a 50 percent charge in just a half-hour. Standard advanced safety features include FCW and low-speed AEB, but it’s disappointing that BSW and highspeed AEB are optional.

BEST VERSION TO GET The SE comes with high-speed AEB, plus BSW and adaptive cruise control. BSW is a must with the I-Pace’s poor visibility. Only the HSE gets a driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support.

Sources:

https://www.jaguar.com/jaguar-range/i-pace/index.html

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