If there's one rule for business that applies in this situation, it's strike while the iron is hot. Jaguar's brand has seen a bit of a downturn since the early 2000s but, for the first time, has gotten a lift.
That's because of the new F-Pace sport-utility vehicle.
While there's no question it has a delightfully designed exterior, its interior and driving dynamics leave a bit to be desired. Honestly, I found its interior quality to be subpar for the price and its driving dynamics are a bit too soft for a vehicle I'd expect to have greater performance intentions. This clearly hasn't stopped people from signing on the dotted line, however.
It seems that Jaguar has realized it must act fast to continue building upon its momentum. Thus, the E-Pace was born. Aiming to take on the very popular Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and SUVs like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, it's going to get heated in the compact, luxury SUV class.
So, how's the E-Pace do? Well, see what our friends from Autocar have to say about the matter. Watch the videoclip, below.
The all-new Jaguar E-Pace is Jaguar’s first attempt at a compact SUV: the kind of car that will rival the Audi Q2 and Q3, and BMW’s X1 and, a bit, the X3.
At 4.4m long it’s a pretty compact car, and one based on Land Rover’s Evoque and Discovery Sport architecture. Which means it’s the first Jaguar that can be had with front-wheel drive since the X-Type.
Our test E-Pace is not front-drive: it’s a 296bhp (300hp) range-topper, driving all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system that shares a fair amount with the one in a Ford Focus RS. But all of that means that it costs close to £50,000 in this specification.
Jaguar says that the E-Pace is meant to drive like an XE. But can a tall, predominantly front-drive SUV really drive like a Jaguar saloon? And even if it can, is it worth the money that Jaguar is asking for this top-spec version?
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