The Jaguar E-Pace Review - Now Available on Lease.

It took Jaguar longer than many expected to enter the SUV market, but when they eventually did, the F-Pace became a huge success, accounting for more than half of Jaguar’s total sales. It seems fitting then that Jaguar would build on their SUV range and release the F-Pace’s little sister, the E-Pace.

You would have thought that the E-Pace would have inherited a lot of its good looks from the F-Pace and while that’s true to some extent, the E-Pace appears slightly more striking. What’s surprising, is that when you start to draw comparisons, the E-Pace shares more characteristics from the F-Type sports coupe. Take its drawn-out headlights for example. The front of the E-pace has been given a really dynamic look, creating a real sense of speed, even when it's parked kerb side. It strikes you immediately with its muscular wheel arches, even at the entry level trim, which will appeal to those looking for sporty looks that won’t break the bank.

Over the past few years, Jaguar has clearly made real efforts to ditch its dated image. They’ve been working hard on their marketing material, pushing on the idea that they are a contemporary sports brand. And you have to say that they have accomplished that feat. From the E-Pace’s muscled up exterior, that same notion carries through into a driver-focused interior. Jaguar has ditched the rotary gear selector used in the F-Pace in favour of a more driver centric joystick with a manual option. There’s also a centre grab handle that flows nicely down from the centre console should your passengers need to hang on while you enjoy the hairpins of our windy country roads.

As with all of the latest Jaguar models, the layout is user-friendly with some really nice touches The air conditioning rotary dials provide a really smart finish and feature LED displays in their centres. Jaguar’s Touch Pro works well as an infotainment system and uses a 10” touch screen display that is fully customisable should you wish to create shortcuts for some of your more preferable functions.

Given its size, the E-Pace will go head to head with perennials such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Mercedes GLA. Despite these strong contenders, the E-Pace will gather plenty of momentum, not just from being the new kid on the block, but also because it stands to piggyback off the success of the F-Pace. Needless to say, since launching our deal starting from £247 per month plus VAT*, we have been inundated with enquiries.

In terms of practicality, the E-Pace will accommodate a small family amply. The boot space is particularly impressive at 484-litres, which beats out the Audi Q3’s 420-litres of space. While the rear seats will struggle to accommodate two 6ft plus passengers in the back, children and smaller adults will enjoy plenty of space. But let’s face it, if this is a real sticking point, then you will be better off leasing the F-Pace .

For those that value the SUV’s drive over its practicality, there are plenty of engine options available to choose from. At Vantage Leasing, we recommend the 178-bhp AWD 2.0-litre diesel engine, which is the very same engine we like in the Discovery Sport. But if you are looking for something with real poke, the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine puts out 296-bhp delivers more than enough power for a small SUV.

Equally, there are a vast array of trim levels, running all the way up to the R-Dynamics pack which gives the owner a combined appreciation of sporty looks and luxury. In reality though, the E-Paces real selling point won’t necessarily be what it can offer from a spec perspective. More than it will become Jaguar’s most affordable SUV, which for many people will make it Jaguar’s most meaningful.

*Rental based on 6 months in advance, taken over a 59-month term and 10,000 miles per year.