Jaguar E-PACE P250 AWD Review: Is This Entry-level SUV Daily Driver Material?
How does it drive?
In just about every scenario, the E-PACE is a very comfortable place to rack up the miles. The seats are comfortable, and are, seemingly, infinitely adjustable. The ride quality is a bit firm, but always supple. Jaguar has clearly tuned the E-PACE suspension to be a good blend of sportiness and comfort. Then there is Jaguar’s hoist of safety tech, like blind spot monitoring, and adaptive, radar-guided cruise control, which take the stress out of driving in traffic, and in congested areas. This all works together to create a very cossetting driving experience. Even in Los Angeles traffic, the E-PACE will lower your blood pressure.
The P250 powertrain package, however, was a mixed bag. This less potent engine, which still packs 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, is certainly quick enough for the daily commute. I measured a ‘real world’ 0-60 test at 7.5 seconds. The nine-speed automatic transmission has a wide gear spread, which means the E-PACE always feels like there is ample acceleration and performance on tap at any speed. With nine gears to choose from, it also means that the E-PACE keeps the engine RPM low, pretty much at all times, unless the driver stomps on the accelerator. Of course, this all configurable via the Jaguar Drive Control system. Controlled by a toggle next to the gear lever, drivers can choose from Eco, Dynamic, Normal and Rain/Ice modes. For the most part, the E-PACE feels best in Eco mode, which is it’s default setting (not Normal, surprisingly).
Let’s talk MPG
All of this leads to the impression that the E-PACE should be rather fuel efficient. The EPA rates the P250-powered Jaguar E-PACE as doing 21 MPG city, 28 MPG highway, and 24 MPG combined.
That sounds rather good for an all-wheel drive luxury SUV. To put it to the test, in the course of a week I drove 447.2 miles with the E-PACE. I drove around town, ran errands, drove to work, sat in traffic, blasted the air conditioning, tried the heated seats, and hit the open road. Pretty much everything a normal person would do with their E-PACE in the real world. During that time I had to refuel it twice. The first stop, at just 257.8 miles, resulted in a real world fuel economy result of 20.68 MPG. I fueled the car up again, after driving another 189.4 miles, just before returning it Jaguar. That second fuel stop resulted in a substandard 18.58 MPG result, and an overall average of about 19.7 MPG over those 447.2 miles.
Not only is this below a good bit below the EPA’s average MPG rating of 24 combined, it’s also 3.1 MPG lower than the in-car average fuel economy meter indicated by the end of my week with the E-PACE. This Jaguar has a thirst much larger than it’s size suggests.
This thirst for premium fuel, despite having the, supposedly, more frugal engine, makes me question the point of the P250 package. Is it really possible for the P300 to be that much more thirsty in the real world? After all, it’s the same basic engine with the wick turned up.
Continue reading for concluding thoughts on the Jaguar E-PACE P250.
