Stacked with enough power to be fun to drive, the 5-seat 2023 Jaguar E-PACE R-Dynamic HSE P250 SUV is an all-wheel drive stunner that further enhances the car maker’s reputation for delivering sporty luxury.
Looking not dissimilar to its F-PACE sibling in terms of exterior styling, just in a smaller package, the E-PACE is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing 184kW of power and 365Nm of torque.
That’s matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission in a package that’s capable of 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 228km/h. Jaguar claims fuel economy of 7.8-litres/100km but the best we could manage was 9.0-litres.
That’s still not bad, and the E-PACE makes for a stylish and comfortable mode of transport, as we discovered on a trip north to Kingscliff in NSW. The chassis is well proportioned, with the engine delivering what is best described as a fairly punchy package.
It ensures you have plenty of confidence when it comes to overtaking at speed, while also making it a delightful highway cruiser. Likewise, it feels good in corners, and with plenty of torque on offer, can handle most things you’ll throw at it.
Wrapped in sleek metallic Santorini Black paint in the case of our test vehicle, the 2023 Jaguar E-PACE R-Dymanic HSE P250 rides on 21-inch diamond turned gloss black wheels (an optional extra), with red brake callipers (also an add-on).
Offered with a Black Pack as standard, the small SUV features LED headlights with pixel technology too, along with J-Blade signature DRLs and rear animated directional indicators, as well as auto high beam assist.
The interior is trimmed in a combination of Ebony and Deep Garnet Windsor leather, with heated and cooled 16-way powered sports seats up front. Rear leg room is cosy and the sloping roof line doesn’t do you many favours back there if you’re tall.
It does offer 601-litres of load space with the rear seat up, and 1,386-litres with it down. An 1,800kg braked towing capacity also features. An updated technology package includes a whopping 11.4-inch touchscreen Pivi Pro infotainment system with navigation.
You’ll also find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a Meridian sound system, wireless device charging and an interactive driver display. Other interior highlights include two-way manual front head rests, and heated rear seats with a centre armrest.
The E-PACE has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and a bevy of safety tech that includes emergency braking, blind spot assist, a rear camera, adaptive cruise control, driver condition monitoring, lane keep assist and front and rear parking sensors.
A rear collision and rear traffic monitor is also included, along with traffic sign recognition and an adaptive speed limiter. The range of addition colours includes Carpathian Grey, Portofino Blue, Eiger Grey, Firenze Red, Ostuni Pearl White and Solid Fuji White.
Priced at around $93,000 drive away in its as tested form, the 2023 Jaguar E-PACE R-Dynamic HSE P250 AWD is backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty. Its primary competition is the Volvo XC40.
You can find out more on the Jaguar Australia website. As always, we recommend shopping around for a good deal, or you can check out PriceMyCar for the best price. If you’re keen on one, and need finance, visit CreditOne.
Our test vehicle was provided by Jaguar Land Rover Australia. To find out more about the 2023 Jaguar E-Pace, contact your local Jaguar Land Rover dealer.
