The Jaguar E-Pace Launch Edition of 2018 is an avatar of the future of the British brand. Unfortunately, my test vehicle echoed Jag's past in terms of low connectivity and potential handling issues.

The compact E-Pace SUV is part of the Jag model range below the medium-sized F-Pace, which is 13.2 inches longer and offers more powerful engines.

Jag's sales suffered for years as the brand clung to its history of rear-wheel drive luxury sedans, in defiance of consumer desires. E-Pace and F-Pace are the new face of the business.

The F-Pace rose to the top of Jaguar sales when it launched in 2016. As SUV sales rise, the small E-Pace is expected to become the brand's second largest seller and attract new buyers.

Jag exploits the idea of ​​a cat with a clever and bright logo that shows the silhouettes of a jaguar and his little one. The logo projects on the sidewalk when you reach the E-Pace with the keychain, a Disney-esque "Jungle Book" that just misses being too cute for its own good.

Driving

2018 Jaguar E-Pace P250 AWD First Edition

Compact luxury SUV with five-wheel drive and five-passenger

Price as tested: $ 53,550 (excluding destination fees)

Evaluation: ★★ (Four stars)

Reasons to buy: Regards; bedroom; easy to park

gaps: Smartphone integration, voice recognition, quality of change, verification engine warning.

How many?

E-Pace prices start at $ 38,600. All E-Paces sold in the United States have all-wheel drive, although a front-wheel drive model is offered in other countries. A nine-speed automatic transmission and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine are standard. The engine produces 249 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque in the base version of the P250 and 296 horsepower of 295 lb-ft in the P300.

The P300 prices start at $ 47,250.

I've tested an E-Pace P250 AWD First Edition loaded with 249 hp. Features of this special edition model included 20-inch wheels; electric tailgate; adaptive cruise control; blind spot warning; leather upholstery; Meridian audio 380 watts: head, tail and LED position lights; automatic high beam heated front seats and steering wheel; two-zone climate control; metal pedals; Bluetooth and USB connectivity; navigation; speech Recognition; and 10-inch touch screen.

My test vehicle was $ 53,550. All prices do not include destination fees.

The E-Pace competes with luxury SUVs of similar size, such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and X2, Infiniti QX30; Land Rover Evoque; Mercedes GLA 250; Volvo XC40 and the next Cadillac XT4.

The E-Pace's base price is comparable to other models, but its features and technology struggle to keep up with the competition.

Competitive base prices

(Excluding destination fees)

(Automatic transmission, AWD models)

Jaguar E-Pace P250 AWD: $ 38,600

Audi Q3 2.0T Plus Premium Quattro: $ 36,000

BMW X1 xDrive 28i: $ 35,900

Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD: $ 37,700

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: $ 41,400

Mercedes GLA 250 4Matic: $ 35,400

Volvo XC40 T5 AWD Momentum: $ 35,200

Source: Autotrader

Exceptional features

The E-Pace looks like a smaller version of the popular F-Pace. The appearance, badge and color of my bright red test vehicle have constantly attracted attention.

The interior is comfortable, although less luxurious than the larger and more expensive jags. There is plenty of room for four people traveling comfortably and five for good travel. The center console and card pockets provide plenty of storage.

Behind the rear seat, there is plenty of cargo space and an optional power liftgate controlled by the gesture.

Black leather covers the seats and most interior surfaces. The controls and gauges are simple, easy to use and read. The interior is quiet at the speed of the road and on rough surfaces.

The E-Pace has a smooth ride, responsive steering and good maneuverability. The power is good when driving in town, even though I have had driving problems on the highway.

Competitive consumption ratings of the EPA

(Automatic transmission, AWD models)

All models use premium gasoline

Jaguar E-Pace P250 AWD: 21 mpg city / 28 highway / 24 combined.

Audi Q3 2.0T Plus Premium Quattro: 20/28/23.

BMW X1 xDrive 28i: 22/31/25.

Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD: 21/30/25.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: 22/29/25.

Mercedes GLA 250 4Matic: 23/31/26.

Volvo XC40 T5 AWD Momentum: 23/31/26.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

Fuel economy, power

My 249 hp E-Pace got 21 mpg in the city, 28 on the highway and 24 handsets in the EPA tests. With all the competitors I've named, you need premium gasoline to get its power rating and fuel economy.

The combined 24-mpg key is located near the middle of a highly-grouped competitive package, all rated 23-26 mpg. The Audi Q3 arrives at 23 mpg. The BMW X1, X2, Infiniti QX30 and Land Rover Evoque scored 25 points, while the GLA 250 and XC40 reached 26 mpg.

The 249 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque from the E-Pace top the list of competitors. The E-Pace is heavier than the others, but its weight-to-power ratio – a comparison of the kilograms of curb weight in which the lowest numbers are better – is lower than all other vehicles except the XC40.

The wrong side

Jaguar's voice recognition and smartphone integration are mediocre. The system has repeatedly failed to understand simple commands to call people in my contact list and dial numbers. The E-Pace does not offer CarPlay, Android Auto or any other application to facilitate the use of smartphone navigation and other features.

The reaction and performance of the E-Pace engine went well in the surface streets, but there were maneuverability issues during and after highway driving.

During the journey, the E-Pace was unable to maintain a speed of approximately 70 mph on the gentle slopes using Adaptive Cruise Control. He also did not respond when I turned off my cruise and used the accelerator. The transmission seemed unable to downshift to accelerate.

This problem disappeared when I left the highway and drove at lower speeds on winding departmental roads, but I felt a slight eruption, as if the current was briefly interrupted.

Neither of the two problems reoccurred when I got home, but the "engine check" warning remained on for the duration of the trip and when I returned to the E-Pace later. The vehicle is being evaluated by a dealer, but nothing says what happened when I write.

Tested specifications

Engine: 2.0L turbo 4 cylinders.

Power: 249 hp at 1,200-4,500 rpm; 269 ​​lb-ft of torque at 1,200-4,500 rpm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 105.6 inches

Length: 173 inches

Width: 78.1 inches

Height: 64.1 inches

Empty weight: 3,871 lbs

Fitting location: Graz, Austria

Verdict

The 2018 Jaguar E-Pace brings the Jaguar style to a new segment of the market. People who want a small sporty SUV will benefit as long as they do not have high expectations for voice recognition and smartphone connectivity, and the transmission problems I encountered are not repeated.

Main characteristics of the vehicle tested

Standard equipment: Anti-lock brakes; stability control; emergency braking assistance; alarm and immobilizer; front seat side airbags; inflatable curtains; automatic wipers; reversing camera; parking sensors; Bluetooth enabled USB port, auxiliary input; two-zone climate control; electric sunroof electric front seats; memory for driver settings; heated front seats; leather seats; adaptive cruise control; alert on blind spots; electric tailgate with gestural control; navigation; 380 watt meridian audio; touchscreen; push button start; remote start; SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD Radio; WIFI hotspot

Options: None.

Contact Mark Phelan: [email protected] or 313-222-6731. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.

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