The Jaguar E-Pace P300e is a small luxury SUV that combines sporty looks, electric performance, and high-end comfort. It stands out in the crowded premium crossover market. The 2021 facelifted E-Pace P300e has a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, a new platform, and cutting-edge technology. It aims to give you the best of both worlds: efficiency and dynamic driving. Here’s a detailed look at what makes this little Jaguar a great choice for buyers who want a stylish but useful SUV.
A new look that is both simple and elegant
The Jaguar E-Pace got a mid-life facelift in 2021 that made some small but useful changes to the outside. The P300e has new front and rear bumpers, all-LED headlights with unique “Double J” daytime running light signatures, and updated taillights with a “chicane” graphic that comes from Jaguar’s all-electric I-Pace. The sleek look is enhanced by a new grille and smarter side fender vents. The sporty feel is enhanced by the R-Dynamic trims (S, SE, and HSE) that are only available on the P300e. These trims come with larger air intakes and alloy wheels that are at least 18 inches in diameter.
The E-Pace is still thought to be less eye-catching than the larger F-Pace or the Range Rover Evoque, but the facelift fixes some of the earlier model’s strange proportions. The end result is a look that is more put together and confident, but some critics say it doesn’t quite match the style of rivals like the Volvo XC40 or Lexus UX. The Black Exterior Pack and bright paint colors like Bluefire Blue (£670) are extras that make the E-Pace even more eye-catching in cities.
The inside of the cabin feels very high-end, and it takes design ideas from Jaguar’s F-Type sports car. The driver-focused dashboard has a signature passenger grab handle and a new 11.4-inch curved-glass Pivi Pro infotainment touchscreen. This is a big improvement over the old system. The Pivi Pro system is a great feature that brings the E-Pace’s technology up to par with the best in its class. It has clear graphics, easy-to-use menus, and support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The interior feels even more modern with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, tactile climate control dials, and a new gear selector. Some harder plastics are still there, though, and the back seat is big enough for passengers but not the best in its class. The trunk is a good 494 liters, even with the hybrid battery.
Powertrain: Performance and efficiency go hand in hand
The E-Pace P300e has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that it shares with the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The car has a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 197 bhp and an electric motor that makes 108 bhp and is powered by a 15 kWh lithium-ion battery. Together, they make 305 bhp and 540 Nm of torque. The P300e is the most powerful E-Pace variant. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 134 mph.
The hybrid system is smartly designed. The eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission sends power from the gasoline engine to the front wheels, and the electric motor sends power to the rear axle. This makes an all-wheel-drive system without a physical propshaft. The P300e is rear-wheel drive when it’s in electric-only mode, and it has a WLTP-rated electric range of up to 34 miles (real-world estimates are closer to 25–30 miles). The switch from electric to hybrid mode is smooth, and the three-cylinder engine is surprisingly smooth, making a nice, sporty sound when pushed.
Charging is quick and easy. A 7 kW wallbox can charge the battery to 80% in 1 hour and 24 minutes, or 30 minutes with a 32 kW DC fast charger. It takes more than six hours to charge with a regular three-pin plug, and a home charging cable costs an extra £300. When the battery is charged, the car gets an impressive 141 miles per gallon (WLTP), but in real life, it gets between 48 and 69 miles per gallon, depending on how you drive and how often you charge it. It has low CO2 emissions of 44 g/km, which makes it a good choice for company car users because it falls into the 10% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket.
Driving Experience: Comfortable with a sporty feel
Jaguar’s Premium Transverse Architecture (PTA) makes the E-Pace P300e better than the older D8 platform because it is lighter and stiffer. This makes the ride and handling better. The chassis does a great job of hiding the P300e’s 2,173 kg weight, even though it is heavy. The steering is precise and well-balanced, which gives you confidence in corners. The SUV also grips well, but it doesn’t have the sharp dynamics of a true sports SUV. The ride can be rough at low speeds, especially with bigger 19- or 20-inch wheels, but it gets smoother at higher speeds. This makes the E-Pace a great car for long trips or driving on the highway.
The JaguarDrive Control system lets drivers switch between four modes: Normal, Dynamic, ECO, and Adaptive Surface Response. There is also a “Save” mode that keeps the battery charged for later use. The P300e is great for city driving because it can go up to 84 mph in EV mode without making any noise. However, it isn’t as fun to drive on twisty roads as Jaguar’s sportier models. The brakes, which use both regenerative and traditional systems, can feel inconsistent, which is something that happens a lot with PHEVs. But overall, the E-Pace strikes a good balance between comfort and performance.
Costs and Usefulness
The E-Pace P300e isn’t cheap, starting at £45,995 for the R-Dynamic S and going up to around £50,290 for the HSE trim. This is especially true when you compare it to the BMW X1 or Audi Q3. However, it has a lot of great features, such as LED headlights, a 3D surround camera, heated seats, and advanced safety systems like Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Assist. Extras like a panoramic roof (£990) and a Meridian sound system (£600) can make the price go up. For example, a tested SE model cost £53,730.
Fleet buyers like the low running costs because of the low CO2 emissions and long electric range. The high price and the need to charge it often to get the most out of it make it best for people who can plug it in a lot. The P300e costs £6,000 more than the diesel D200 model, so buyers need to think about the benefits of going electric against the cost up front.
Verdict: A great package, but it’s expensive.
The Jaguar E-Pace P300e is a sleek and tech-filled plug-in hybrid that offers a smooth and efficient ride, making it a great choice for city commuters and people who need a company car. It has a powerful 305 bhp powertrain, a good electric range, and a high-end interior, which makes it a strong competitor in the compact luxury SUV market. But some buyers may be put off by its high price, stiff ride, and smaller back seat compared to competitors like the Volvo XC40 or Range Rover Evoque. The E-Pace P300e is a stylish, semi-electric crossover that is great for people who like the Jaguar brand and want to take advantage of its hybrid efficiency. However, it has a lot of competition from other JLR cars and beyond.
If you’re thinking about getting a high-end compact SUV with plug-in hybrid technology, the E-Pace P300e is worth a test drive, especially if you care more about style and refinement than practicality or excitement. Just make sure to keep it plugged in so you can use all of its features.
