2023 Jaguar E-Pace

Every major European player has a luxury compact crossover SUV in the game, and the E-Pace is Jaguar's attempt at a contender in this segment. This sleek and sexy little jungle cat has been around since 2017 and offers a bit of everything: European style, sporty driving dynamics, and decent tech and safety features. For 2023, Jaguar offers the E-Pace exclusively in P250 SE configuration, which means you get a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing a respectable 246 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, the 296 hp mild hybrid powertrain found in the 300 Sport is no longer available. The E-Pace still looks and feels fresh, but with a single engine option to choose from in a lineup that has been trimmed to a sole surviving trim, can it still hold a candle to class leaders such as the BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

In the USA, Jaguar presents the E-Pace at a price most will immediately cringe at. But for those shopping in the price range, the E-Pace is one of the most stylish, contemporary, and luxurious crossover SUVs your hard-earned money can buy. The only model for sale for 2023 has a starting price of $48,000 MSRP. This price is exclusive of Jaguar's $1,175 destination and handling fee, as well as of any tax, registration, and licensing fees.

Jaguar is known for building fun-to-drive sports cars, and that family DNA certainly trickles down into the E-Pace. This might be a compact crossover SUV, but Jaguar has made sure that it is fun to drive. The chassis setup is taut, the body control excellent, and the steering light and precise. All of these elements combine to make an entertaining city car that, thanks to a punchy turbocharged engine, likes to zip in and out of traffic. This is an admirable achievement, considering its excessive weight of over 4,200 pounds due to its all-steel structure. Despite 246 hp and 269 lb-ft, the mass exacts a performance and economy penalty too, with neither of these metrics being impressive compared to the Jaguar's E-Pace's competitors. Getting all this tall-riding mass buttoned down tightly around corners necessitated a suspension setup that borders on the stiff-legged. It feels beautifully refined at highway driving speeds, but rough surfaces, especially on the larger wheels, can upset the ride quality, so we'd recommend sticking to the standard wheels.

The 2023 Jaguar E-Pace might not be the freshest face on the scene, but after a facelift in 2021 and further tweaks, this car still looks great, and we still prefer its looks over that of competitors such as the BMW X2. Under the skin, the E-Pace gets some things right but misses the mark elsewhere. The chassis is nicely balanced, and together with a firm suspension setup and a punchy turbocharged engine, the driving experience is on the fun side. However, the E Pace is a bit of a porker, and its extra weight blunts overall performance and affects fuel economy; its Euro counterparts offer better handling, performance, and gas mileage. In the 2023 lineup we also miss out on the 300 Sport, which packed nearly 300 horses. You're now left with a single trim option, which makes the competition look even more appealing. The E-Pace isn't a bad option if you're after a stylish Euro compact crossover, but it's not the best.

In this case, there is only one model to opt for, but it's well equipped. The P250 SE contains all the tech you need, from the large infotainment display and Meridian sound system, to the driver assists that include traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, and lane keep assist. The Privi Pro setup also includes the 12.3-inch interactive driver display. The E-Pace is well suited to those seeking more of a leisure, luxury cruiser. In this regard, the P250 SE is a happy middle-ground between splurging too much and getting value for money.