#LAAUTOSHOW: Does Jaguar's All-new E-Pace Have That Certain SWAGGER That Will Beckon You To Your Nearest Showroom?

Certainly better than the Volvo XC40. But I'm skeptical after experiencing the plethora of plastic in the F-Pace recently.

If the E-Pace had been available now, I might have considered it to replace my Q5. I did look at the F-Pace, and was overall impressed with everything but the price tag. The E-Pace certainly would be better there, but I couldn't wait.

Unless the vehicle is in a class where the USA does not compete - I prefer to purchase a product from either an American (Ford or GM) Car company first - and then one that is assembled in the USA or Canada Second.

The fact is - in the real world - where I drive (and everyone else does too) -
ALl of these vehicles Accelerate faster than I likely will in public
All of these cars stop shorter that I likely will
All of these cars handle better than I will likely test
All of these cars have features I will not even know are there while I own them. ANd they will have many that I will never use.

SO - it comes down to interior room - interior appointments and equipment - and the ALL IMPORTANT drivers seat to me. If I cannot adjust the Driver's seat to feel comfortable -I eliminate the vehicle. IF the Pedals are awkward for me - I eliminate the vehicle. I have noticed that many European vehicles have less rear seat space than their American or even Asian counterparts - and that is a minus.

In the past - I regularly kept my cars for well over 200,000 and many times over 300,000 miles. SO - that meant that I was driving the car far past the time when the styling was current - so styling has to be acceptable - but not garish. Since I only traded a car in ONCE (most went to kids) - resale value did not enter the equation. I would prefer a car where the oil filter is easy to get to for oil changes that I still do myself. Today - spark plugs often need a detective's license to find - but there are still some that can be. (Do not wait 100,000 miles to change them or you might NEVER get the out of the bores) One feature I likes that is mostly gone - is the COMBINATION lock opening of some FORD cars - where I could leave a key hidden in the car and still get in.

Since if I wanted a "performance" car in the past - I made it myself - working both the engine and transmission - and the suspension too- that never really entered in my decisions. Yes - I dreamed of someday having a Ferrari - but my personal Height and now inability to wiggle into most of those cars at my age - has left that dream undone now that I could afford it easily.

So - if I can find an American car (Example - My CT6) that fulfills my need - I prefer buying from an American company to support more American jobs. Neither produce Mini-vans - so Chrysler was that option. I do not have the choice of a Company car - they are American Hybrids (Ford Fusion - and now Chevrolet Malibu). I still work because I like my job and the checks clear the bank - my wives are gone - and while I have lots of children and Grandchildren - they are not around that much during the week. And no American manufacturer currently produces a V-12 - the reason why I still have MY S-600 - which is far more car than I will ever need - but will be replaced next year anyway. At my age - it is likely that my next vehicles will be the LAST new ones I own - so I will not be of the age of EV's.

Enjoyed your comments Tom. I to love the CT-6 but wish it had a real name and at a minimum the base Corvette V-8.

I bought the CT 6 for my mother - who is 98. It does have a name - CADILLAC - and that means something to HER. Yes - I would like a model name - but the Continental was not yet available when I bought it - and likely still would have bought the CT6. (mom does not drive much - almost 1,000 miles a year - and not at night - or in driving rain or any snow). I figure SHE will stop driving and the car will be in the family. For Her - she did not need a Corvette engine either.

I have not yet the SUV design that really knocked my socks off - most are very similar. THe closest to that was the Saturn crossover - that was decent - but also gone. At least some of the Land Rovers look decent too. But still - Since they all seem to be similar - I would not buy the Jaguar because of style.

The interior looks like it has gobs of Ford switchgear. This is a rather generic crossover. It's not ugly but it's not completely captivating either.

there is such a ridiculous disconnect in the thought that went into the exterior design and the really sad interior. Interiors for Jag and Landrover have always played second to exterior, no matter what model.

If swagger in a new ride is your thing, I don't think you should be looking at CUV's. Just a thought.

Ian Callum's designs work so much better on the smaller cars. Too bad the interior looks cheap--no Jag touches I can see except a sole leaper badge on the steering wheel. Otherwise generic and looks like a lot of plastic there.

I guess I have to stop expecting British-ness is a Jaguar. Sigh....