Sedans are out and SUVs are in if you haven't heard. Jaguar has and it's decided Drop the entry-level sedan, the XE, for 2021. Instead, the Jaguar E-Pace will serve as the cheapest Jag on sale - and the company gave the compact SUV a number of updates.
The 2021 Jaguar E-Pace bowed on Tuesday with massed design and loads of new technology. The latter point is a good thing, because the technology makes the cockpit much leaner. I won't be spending a lot of time outside as it isn't all that different. There's a new front fairing that Jaguar says draws lessons from the aerodynamic departments. A blade element now runs through the grille, which is decorated with chrome details - a nod to the brand's heritage logo. Overall, the updates ensure that the E-Pace looks fresh, especially with updated LED light signatures.
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Inside, I think designers kicked it out of the park, especially compared to the current E-Pace, which is ... a bit chintzy. Gone is the smaller infotainment screen in favor of a massive, curved 11.4-inch device with Jaguar's latest Pivi Pro system. The gear selector has been completely redesigned and is now much shorter. This is a good thing for ergonomics as it looks like it would be a lot easier to get into the space beyond which is also a cell phone charger. The optional 12.3-inch digital display is also a huge step up from the analog dials on the outgoing SUV. Other small touches include more soft-touch materials and a "cricket ball" stitching that reminds us all that Jaguar is still very British (and a little bit Indian). You'll also notice a redesigned steering wheel that borrows elements from the I-Pace electric SUV.
The name of this updated SUV game is more technical and there is plenty of it. There's an optional rear-view camera mirror and a new electronic vehicle architecture makes the 2021 E-Pace more connected than ever with wireless update functions. Heck, Pivi Pro even syncs Google and Microsoft Outlook information for drivers if they want. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto stay on board for the ride.
Although Jaguar has revamped the disguise names, what they bring to the table on the mechanical side stays the same. All-wheel drive is standard across the board and a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine serves every single feature. However, the base P250 and the midrange P250 SE produce 246 hp. The 2.0-liter engine of the 300 sports fairing provides for a slight electrification that increases the output to 296 hp. A nine-speed automatic takes over switching tasks, regardless of which variant the buyer chooses.
With the updates, Jaguar has raised the price a bit. The starting price for the E-Pace is $ 42,045 after a target fee of $ 1,050. That's $ 1,045 more than the outgoing SUV if you don't want to do the math. But the E-Pace now looks like a far more appealing machine and will likely help American buyers miss the late XE sedan even less than they already did.