The 2020 Jaguar E-Pace makes a strong impression. Its refined exterior is attention-grabbing and helps to make a bold statement. But as far as elegance and comfort goes, this luxury SUV leaves lots to be desired.

Performance and comfort

In many ways, the Jaguar E-Pace is both competent and flawed. Still, it is important to note that its performance capability is actually one of its better features. The E-Pace is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that’s eager and animated. Although, at times, this SUV does not ride as smoothly as we would have hoped. Its nine-speed automatic transmission isn’t very responsive, which contributes to this Jag’s jaggedness on the road.

With that being said, the E-Pace is not a comfortable ride, nor is it thrilling. It doesn’t handle bumps and dips in the road well, which overall takes away from an enjoyable driving experience. And for the price tag, we would expect it to be more fuel-efficient. It gets 21 mpg overall which is not great for its class. This also means frequent and expensive stops to the gas station. 

Inside the cabin

The E-Pace’s interior is a jumbled assortment of seemingly lavish and cheap elements. The cushioned leather seats are enticing, but the plastic trims give it more of an economy feel.  The two-tone color scheme option is second-rate and unattractive. All we’re really saying here is that the interior design should look and feel much better than it does. There are also no bonus features. Things like heated seats and digital displays come as extras.

In addition to the lackluster trimmings, the E-Pace’s infotainment features are also unimpressive. The best aspect of the infotainment is the large 10-inch touchscreen. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and that’s about it for standard advanced tech features.

To spice up the cabin, you can purchase additional options like a wifi hotspot. But similar to the E-Pace’s handling, the infotainment’s software lags and can be tricky to use. These in-car electronic offerings can be seen as more of a distraction and less than beneficial. 

Safety features

Another disappointing aspect of the E-Pace is that safety and driver-assist features don’t come standard either. Advanced safety features are part of Jaguar’s Drive Pro package and actually serve as a way to make the SUV more dynamic. The advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and parking senor help. The parking assistance feature, in particular, has been known to not work well. 

What to buy instead

The E-Pace starts at $39,950. This SUV isn’t actually a bad car, but the problem is that it’s a luxury model that doesn’t really come with anything luxurious. To really experience luxury within the E-Pace lineup, you would have to go all the way up to the highest trims levels which isn’t a great value. Plus, the in-car electronics aren’t all that helpful or instinctive once you get them.

If you have your heart set on a luxury SUV, models like the Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, and BMW X1 offer better driving experiences and have better customer reviews.