Trailblazing Electric SUV: The i-Pace
The Jaguar i-Pace is one of our favorite luxury electric SUVs, and it’s a car we wish more people talked about. Beautiful, powerful, great to drive, and surprisingly good value for a high-end product, the i-Pace also has impressive driving range, comfort, and versatility. One of the first all-electric SUVs on the market, the i-Pace is leading Jaguar’s transformation into an all-electric brand.
2024 Jaguar i-Pace: Design and Engineering
Because it was designed from the ground up as an electric car, the i-Pace takes full advantage of the packaging benefits of compact electric motors. The cabin takes up the majority of its length, with a much shorter hood than you’ll find on gasoline vehicles, which means great room in the front and rear, as well as a large cargo area.
The proportions also have allowed Jaguar to give the 2024 i-Pace a very distinctive look. It has a cab-forward look, short overhangs, and muscular fenders that are instantly recognizable. New enhancements include a smoother front “grille” in dark grey that replaces the previous black grille, and the dark grey finish is also applied on the vertical air vents at the front and rear. The front and rear bumpers and door finishers are now in body color, giving a more integrated look, and there’s a discreet rear spoiler as well.
iPace Range and Charging
Thanks to that lightweight structure and the aerodynamic design, the i-Pace makes great use of its 90-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. EPA-estimated range is an impressive 292 miles. Less impressive is the i-Pace’s charging speed, which maxes out at 100 kW – a lot less than some of its competitors, which can charge twice as fast. On the other hand, 100 kW still means that the i-Pace can take on enough charge for 78 miles of range in about 15 minutes from a Level 3 charger. On a Level 2 at home, a full charge from zero to 100 percent takes just over eight hours on an 11-kW home charger, and owners will rarely be starting from a completely empty battery.
Built-in functionality also allows owners to maximize charging when energy is least expensive. Using the on-board infotainment system or Jaguar’s app, drivers can set start and stop times for charging to take advantage of off-peak charging rates, maximizing the financial benefit of driving electric. The i-Pace also allows you to set a target maximum charge, such as 80 percent, to maximize the life of the battery when using public charging.
There is also a useful pre-heating and pre-cooling function that improves the ownership experience and maximizes the i-Pace’s range. It can automatically heat or cool the interior to the desired temperature while plugged in – you step into a car at your desired temperature, ready to drive away without using precious electrons to run the heater or A/C. The i-Pace will also pre-heat or pre-cool the battery when you tell it you’re planning to charge on the road, so it’s ready to accept a charge at the fastest speed possible.
Inside, the i-Pace has all the tech you’d want. Jaguar’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system is a huge upgrade over the previous version. It’s super easy to use, and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as integrated Alexa voice control, Spotify, and other apps. Over-the-air software updates ensure that the Pivi Pro system is always up to date.
The Driving Experience of a Jaguar
By far the best thing about the i-Pace is the way it drives. The compact and efficient electric motors integrated into the front and rear axles deliver impressive performance – 0-60 mph takes just 4.5 seconds, and the top speed is 124 mph – while remaining eerily silent and smooth. It’s also a lot of fun to drive in a sporty way. The double-wishbone front and integral-link rear suspension provide exceptional stability and control. Behind the wheel, it's more fun than EVs like the Tesla Model Y and Audi E-Tron, while also being very efficient.
Unlike a lot of electric SUVs, which have steel structures, the i-Pace has a body made primarily from aluminum; it’s lighter and stiffer, contributing to improved efficiency. The battery is set in the floor of the body, contributing to a low center of gravity and improving the handling. Air suspension with electronically-controlled damping keeps the electric Jaguar flat and confident in corners while still retaining the smooth, quiet ride you’d expect from a luxury car.
2024 i-Pace Trim Levels
The 2024 i-Pace is available in R-Dynamic S, R-Dynamic SE, and R-Dynamic HSE models, as well as a 400 Sport model with a more aggressive look. All models share the same drivetrain, with standard all-wheel drive, and the starting MSRP is $71,300.
Since its original debut in 2017, the i-Pace has won dozens of awards for its design and its green credentials. The subtle enhancements for the 2024 model year, bringing a more distinctive design and standard equipment, improve what was already a very appealing, and well-priced, luxury electric SUV.
