First Drive: Jaguar I-Pace HSE – The Posh Feline-Themed EV to Get!

A Jaguar EV SUV? Really?

Yes, exactly. What you see here is Jaguar’s first-ever all-electric model, cordially named the I-Pace. Unlike any other tall-riding EV SUVs we’ve reviewed prior, the Jaguar I-Pace is indeed pretty special, as it boasts enough sporting credentials that see it perform like a sports saloon. 

With the local premium EV market now getting saturated with ‘less sporty’ offerings, folks at Jaguar-Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) surely got an interesting product that’s set to shake the segment up. To see whether this EV has what it takes to do that, JLRM invited us for a full-long drive where we sampled the range-topping Jaguar I-Pace HSE. 

Though our time in its hot seat was limited, it showed enough chops to prove that it is the ‘feline-themed’ sporty EV SUV to get. Seek a sporty, posh and feature laden EV SUV that’s neither German nor Korean? Then pay attention…

Firstly, let’s talk about its ‘radical’ look

With its sleek roofline and low-slung stance, it seems the I-Pace barely passed the requirement to be considered as a crossover SUV. Nevertheless, it still sports some typical EV design cues, like the short front and rear overhangs, the former occurring due to the absence of an ICE underneath the front hood.

The Jaguar I-Pace's rakish roofline isn't just for styling per se

Also, that steeply raked and swooping roofline isn’t just for styling per se, it works together with the flushed door handles to provide the I-Pace with a slippery drag coefficient of just 0.29. This, in turn, allows the I-Pace to maximise its range better, whereas enhanced better driving performance stems as a by-product of which.

2023 Jaguar I-Pace HSE

Apart from that, the I-Pace also boasts design touches as seen in other current-gen Jaguar models. Included too is the fierce front fascia, which features double-J LED headlights and a faux front grille bearing the iconic Jag emblem.

Overall, the Jaguar I-Pace really stands out against the current crop of EV SUVs available out there, all thanks to its radical, aero-efficient design. But how’s life inside this coupe EV crossover?

The cabin oozes luxury and sportiness, while being practical

Life on board the I-Pace is both luxurious and sporty, and this is evident through the equipment package offered by JLRM. In range-topping HSE guise, the I-Pace is trimmed with Windsor leather for its bucket front seats that also sport 14-way power adjustments and cooling ventilation.

Mobile connectivity like Android Auto (left) comes standard in the I-Pace, while there's also premium Meridian sound system (right) in this range-topping HSE variant

In spite of its sporty credentials, the I-Pace is still a posh vehicle that’s also primed with a bevy of modern equipment and plush amenities. Key highlights include the 10-inch Pivi Pro infotainment display with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging pad, trick cabin ambient lighting, a full-glass roof, as well as crisp-sounding Meridian 3D Surround Sound premium audio suite.

Don’t let its compact SUV labelling deceive you, as the I-Pace boasts a rather sizable cabin space, thanks to its long wheelbase afforded by the short front and rear overhangs mentioned. Even a sub-six-footer adult like the writer can comfortably sit at the back, even when the front seats adjusted to his sizable driving position too.

Simply put, JLR managed to strike a perfect balance between sportiness, luxury, and practicality when designing the I-Pace’s innards. With the bucket seats and sporty credentials, one can only wonder how well this EV SUV drives…

No surprise, it drives as well as it looks!

Beyond its ability to obliterate comparable ICE sportscars in the straights, the I-Pace proved to be an equally-fun car to carve corners with. Despite tipping the scales at over two tonnes, the I-Pace handles very well with minimal body roll, all thanks to the adaptive air suspension system that is exclusively available in the HSE variant tested.

The I-Pace truly drives as good as it looks!

Said trick suspension allows drivers to select from a few height levels, but the car defaults to the lowest position when hitting high speeds. The system’s adaptability also means it makes light work of damping speed bumps and potholes. Aside from performance benefits, this setup also grants passengers with easier cabin entry and exit, the latter thanks to the system  automatically lifting the car when parked.

Back to driving, Jag’s proprietary dual motor setup, rated at 395 HP and 696 NM, proved sufficient at propelling the I-Pace to grant 0 to 100 KM/H sprints in just 4.8 seconds. From our short testing stint, we can safely say that the I-Pace packs more than enough mettle to match its sleek and tasty show indeed.

What about range and safety?

Our test session was too short for us to gauge the I-Pace’s battery performance. With Jaguar touting the 90 kWh battery pack good enough to see up to 470 KM (WLTP) of travel, our best advice is to always take such claims by manufacturers with just a grain of salt. 

Then again, the I-Pace’s ability to be juiced using a 100 kW DC rapid charger also means that you can at least attain 80% charge in just 40 minutes. The 11 kW AC charging ability is expected, ideal for overnight charging via a home wallbox, thus further adding to this EV SUV’s overall practicality to say the least.

In terms of safety, the bevy of active driver assists (ADAS) features primed also  worked remarkably well. Key amongst which include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane-Keep Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and more, all essential towards helping drivers feel less intimidated when driving this peppy EV SUV.

Should I seriously consider one?

Sleek styling, actual sporting performance, ample EV range, as well as real-life practicality and luxury are all enough indeed to make the Jaguar I-Pace HSE your one-for-all EV. Not to mention you’ll also get top-notch safety features and a touch of British flare, on top of all that.

However, these do come at a rather hefty price, with this top-specced I-Pace HSE costing a whopping RM498,800 as tested, and that’s without any of the tasty options available. At the very least, there’s a 5-year or 150,000 KM vehicle warranty plus 3-year roadside assistance coverage included though, as is complimentary servicing for up to 5 years, and a separate 8-year or 160,000 KM EV battery warranty.

Against rivalling premium EVs, the I-Pace somewhat sits as a lone wolf at this price bracket, with its closest ‘rivals’ in terms of price being the Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon. Beyond that, there are ‘entry-level’ luxury EV SUVs like the Volvo C40 and XC40 Recharge, or the newly-launched BMW iX1, that beg to differ too.

Then again, we’re certain this electrifying Jag has already garnered its own set of fans and punters who seek to venture into electromobility, but still yearn for something that gets their hearts beating faster. Overall though, the I-Pace holds its own merit through being a rather capable and sporty EV that is also very livable too. Wouldn’t you agree?

SPECIFICATIONS

JAGUAR I-PACE AWD 400PS HSE