The 2018 Jaguar E-Pace is a playful cub and a incredible little performer. Whether or not on twisty again roads or throughout interstate blasts, the corporate’s most compact mannequin is enjoyable to drive, delivering a perky powertrain and powerful showings within the chassis and dealing with departments.

Plus, it pulls off the fragile steadiness of wanting lovable and approachable, but nonetheless sporty, with simply the correct quantity of aggression. It is so charming, actually, that by the tip of a brief take a look at drive, I would count on most drivers to return away considering, “it is so good.”

In reality, I had the identical response. However after making such a robust preliminary impression, the remainder of my time with this specific E-Pace First Version was riddled with minor annoyances — from fit-and-finish points to tech hiccups and seemingly outright damaged options. It is attainable that these foibles affected simply my take a look at automobile, however even nonetheless, my expertise makes this mannequin laborious for me to suggest.

A wonderful first impression

The E-Tempo is essentially the most compact mannequin in Jaguar’s lineup when it comes to wheelbase (105.6 inches) and general size (173 inches), coming in only a skosh shorter than the 183.9-inch XE sedan. Nevertheless, its SUV proportions be sure that cargo area stays pretty beneficiant, with 24.2 cubic toes of storage behind the second row and 52.7 cubic toes with the seats folded flat.

This subcompact SUV wears its proportions properly — I would even go so far as to say it seems higher than its already-handsome F-Pace large brother. I used to be drawn first to the E-Tempo’s F-Type sports car inspiration present in its headlamps, shoulder line and steeply sloped dashboard, solely to be charmed by smaller “Easter Egg” particulars — the cub windshield graphic, the leopard-print detailing throughout the middle console and non-compulsory cub graphic puddle lights.

This cub has claws

The engine room is residence to Jaguar’s 2.Zero-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Most E-Tempo fashions make a wholesome 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, however fashions geared up with the R-Dynamic efficiency trim improve output to 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

Both means, the SUV sends that energy to the usual all-wheel drive system by way of a nine-speed automated transmission. Even with “simply” 246 horsepower, I used to be happy by the acceleration and responsiveness that this powertrain brings to the social gathering. Zero to 60 miles per hour occurs in simply 6.6 seconds (6.1 seconds for R-Dynamic fashions) which is lots zippy for a crossover of this measurement. In the meantime, round city efficiency is clean.

Dealing with from the well-sorted chassis and stuck sport suspension was additionally on level. R-Dynamic fashions characteristic an adaptive suspension, which might in all probability develop the E-Tempo’s comfort-dynamic envelope a bit, however I had virtually no complaints about my instance’s fastened, sport-tuned setup, which supplied tight, responsive steering.

A lot of my testing consisted of freeway miles, with just a few runs alongside twistier roads to stretch the E-Tempo’s efficiency legs. I ended up averaging about 25 mpg for the week. That is according to the EPA’s official mpg estimates of 21 metropolis, 28 freeway and 24 mixed. Numbers like which might be pretty middle-of-the-road in a crowded class that features the Volvo XC40 (26 mpg mixed), Audi Q3 (23 mpg mixed) and BMW X1 (25 mpg mixed).

Jaguar Exercise Key

Beneath the pores and skin, my E-Tempo tester arrived laden with options I loved, together with an influence tailgate with an non-compulsory kick-to-open, hands-free perform, a rail mount/divider system built-in into the rear storage space, and non-compulsory puddle lights that illuminate the bottom upon method at evening.

Jaguar Land Rover’s distinctive Activity Key additionally seems within the listing of obtainable choices. This $400 rubber wristband seems like a health tracker, however is definitely a water-resistant, dirt- and dust-proof — practically everything-proof — RF good key that can be utilized to securely lock and unlock the E-Tempo whereas partaking in actions which may injury the usual digital key fob. So, you possibly can log on, kayaking or river tubing whereas leaving the delicate commonplace fob locked secure and dry within the SUV.

I’ve beforehand detailed on how the Exercise Key works in my full overview of the 2017 Land Rover Discovery, so you possibly can dig into it there.

Security and driver support tech

The Jag additionally checks lots of the proper bins relating to security and driver support options.

Our First Version E-Tempo arrived with adaptive cruise management that labored in stop-and-go visitors, ahead collision warning and lane-keep help. With just a few faucets by a menu within the instrument cluster, the latter might be toggled between delicate steering help when in visitors or a passive “rumble strip” mode that vibrates the steering wheel when the automobile strays off line. I preferred having the selection between help throughout a commute and a quiet warning throughout extra spirited drives.

Talking of the instrument cluster, the E-Tempo could be had with a 12-inch digital gauge package deal. My First Version mannequin was not so geared up and obtained alongside superb with its conventional analog gauges and full-color head-up show (the latter is projected onto the windshield). The all-digital setup is a little bit of tech bling which may be value a search for techier drivers, however contemplating among the tech annoyances I am going to focus on momentarily, I would be tempted to maintain issues so simple as attainable right here.

InControl Touch Pro dashboard tech

I like the appear and feel of Jaguar’s dashboard know-how. The 10-inch InControl Contact Professional system commonplace on my First Version tester was — for essentially the most half — fairly well-organized and appears fairly good with colourful graphics and icons.

I notably loved how the house display screen could be custom-made to 1’s liking by merely dragging and dropping from a number of options and features. This allowed me to simply monitor the weather that I cared most about, saving a ton of digging by menus whereas driving.

I additionally dug the predictive options constructed into Contact Professional. For instance, originally of a drive, the navigation system will supply predictive locations primarily based on earlier driving habits — comparable to “Work” within the morning or “Dwelling” within the afternoon. The idea is that the system will get smarter the extra you utilize it, constructing a cloud-connected profile of your habits and favourite haunts.

I additionally discovered Contact Professional’s visitors information to be very correct, however sadly, how the system used that accuracy is the place a laundry listing of annoyances started for me.

So many small annoyances

Correct visitors information is all the time an excellent factor, however I discovered that the E-Tempo’s navigation is commonly too aggressive with its re-routing algorithms. Often, the system would recommend a very good detour round smaller visitors jams, however as a rule, it might make dumb recommendations, together with sending me scrambling to exit the freeway solely to instantly instruct me to get again on on the prime of the off-ramp. Congratulations, that transfer would’ve saved perhaps one minute?

On one longer journey, I observed that each jiffy, the navigation would get caught looping the identical audible instruction — saying one thing like, “In 14 miles, maintain straight.” It might say this time and again each jiffy. Later, I found the software program had detected a visitors jam close to my vacation spot (practically an hour away) and was continually recalculating the route time and again as situations modified (once more, practically an hour away). This prompted it to repeat the final unchanged instruction every time. Contact Professional must be smarter about when and the way it handles diverting round visitors.

And that is simply the navigation annoyances. When you get previous the high-level, mostly accessed menus, the Contact Professional menu system could be complicated and sluggish when on the lookout for secondary or much less generally accessed settings and features. Moreover, Contact Professional would not assist Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity, leaving drivers with no alternate options for maps or audio streaming apps ought to they not wish to use Jaguar’s software program.

Reliability issues

Extra worryingly, there have been instances throughout my testing when among the E-Tempo’s tech options did not work in any respect. On a half-dozen events throughout my week of testing, the rear digital camera did not activate once I shifted the transmission into Reverse. Coming out to Park and again to Reverse usually fastened the error, however that is unacceptable glitching.

Worse, the ultrasonic parking proximity sensors, commonplace geared up on our First Version, additionally did not work. Contact Professional confirmed them as “inactive” when beginning the automotive, leaving me with a greyed-out icon in its interface. That additionally meant that I could not use the usual parking steering help in any respect, because the know-how makes use of the identical sensors. (A Google search revealed that I am not the one JLR driver to expertise points with the corporate’s sonar sensors.) This does not bode properly contemplating this British automaker’s unhealthy repute for unreliable autos.

Past hinky electronics, I used to be additionally disillusioned by the inconsistency of the E-Tempo’s cabin match and end. For essentially the most half, I used to be impressed by the inside design, however my tester developed an annoying squeak coming from the second row that got here and went over the week — attempting to find the supply practically drove me mad.

Whereas I am on a rant, I’ve to level out a budget and hollow-feeling paddle shifters: They arrive throughout just like the sort of items you’d discover on an inexpensive third-party Ps 2 racing wheel, not these of a sporty luxurious trip. In different phrases, they really feel misplaced within the E-Tempo’s cabin. I’ve complained about Jaguar’s chintzy paddle shifters earlier than, and it is annoying to see so little consideration paid to such a significant contact level in a automobile this costly.

How I would spec it

The 2018 Jaguar E-Tempo begins at $39,595 (together with a $995 vacation spot cost) for base mannequin, however my First Version rolled up very well-equipped, with a preselected suite of what Jaguar believes would be the mostly optioned options and improve, priced at $54,545. Nevertheless, this is not how I would spec an E-Tempo.

Since driving efficiency is actually the principle factor this SUV does properly, I would begin by wanting on the stronger R-Dynamic trim degree with extra energy and dynamic chops, as a result of chances are you’ll as properly play to this cub’s sturdy go well with. For my cash, the R-Dynamic SE is the very best steadiness of efficiency, facilities and driver support options at $49,995. That, I feel is the E-Tempo’s candy spot, however stepping as much as R-Dynamic HSE — which will get you adaptive cruise, nicer leather-based and 20-inch wheels for $53,845 — may additionally be temping whereas nonetheless being cheaper than the First Version.

I could not blame you for taking a second (or perhaps a third) lengthy take a look at this littlest Jag given its sharp seems and sharper efficiency. However given the laundry listing of small points I skilled, the E-Tempo is hard for me to suggest, particularly in a category that features favorites just like the Audi Q3 and Volvo’s new XC40. Acura’s new 2019 RDX is one other strong alternative at this value level, additionally a barely bigger SUV, if you happen to’re into that form of factor.

If you happen to’re nonetheless offered on the 2019 Jaguar E-Tempo (perhaps you will get a super-great deal on a lease or simply do not care about dependable tech?), enable me to suggest considering actually laborious about investing in a single different vital choice: an prolonged guarantee.