Even dismissing the fact that it’s powered by electricity for a moment, the I-Pace is a stunning car. As it was built from the ground up as an EV, the designers were freed of the need to house a conventional engine and created a car which looks like something from a sci-fi movie. It’s half-way between an SUV and a big hatchback, but still looks sporty too.
The inside is luxurious and high-tech without being as alien as a Tesla Model X’s radical interior.
Underneath the floor is a 90kW battery pack, which should be good for 200+ miles in the real world, or 300 if you drive very, very carefully. It can be charged at any public point or using the new 100kW+ super rapid chargers which are appearing at places like service stations and supermarkets.
This battery powers two motors, one each for the front and rear wheels, giving the I-Pace 4x4 traction in slippery conditions. If you are not worried about the range and want to have some fun, the I-Pace is a really fast car. The acceleration is quick enough to beat most other cars except the most exotic – or other electric rivals!
Where the Jaguar stands out compared to other EVs is the way it feels to drive. Although it’s a heavy car, it manages to be fun and never feels out of its depth or unwieldy.
Although it might have a passing resemblance to an SUV and be equipped with four-wheel-drive, this isn’t an off-roader which will be wading through mud though. However, the versions equipped with air suspension can lift themselves up to clear rough tracks, snow and floods, so an I-Pace will get you further than a traditional car when the going gets slippery.
With prices starting at £66,350 the I-Pace is not a cheap car. But it is competitive against rival electrics such as the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC and will save a fortune compared to a petrol or diesel equivalent – especially if you’re a company car driver.
It’s not perfect, but the I-Pace is a car which is good enough to convince anyone that an electric car is hugely desirable.