2022 Jaguar E-PACE Pros Vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Despite its rather diminutive size, the 2022 Jaguar E-PACE packs quite a punch when it comes to performance. With its snappy acceleration and standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, the E-PACE sets quite the pace to beat in its segment. Other extra small luxury crossover SUVs are not quite so athletic and agile as the E-PACE, nor do they possess the typical undulating lines and taut outward appearance characteristic of a Jag. But, given that the E-PACE has a few unrefined advancer driver aids and is quite a bit pricier than other options in this segment, it isn't going to appeal to every driver. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of owning the 2022 Jaguar E-PACE and how it holds up against a few top contenders.

What's New for 2022?

There haven't been too many big changes to the E-PACE since Jaguar introduced it to the line-up in 2018. For this model year, there were only a few minor alterations made to the availability of several optional features. Other than that, everything carries over from the 2021 line-up.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Jaguar E-PACE – The Pros

1. Swift and Smooth Acceleration

As is characteristic for a Jaguar, expect the E-PACE to deliver when it comes to performance, starting with its acceleration. Although not quite so powerful as the super speedy Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, the E-PACE's 300 Sport trim is able to get from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds, which feels good enough for this segment. The 9-speed automatic transmission will try to quickly upshift in order to save on fuel, but it typically leaves enough power on tap for a nice, smooth downshift too.

2. Comfortable and Supportive Seats

Fore and aft, the E-PACE is gifted with comfortable and well-constructed seats that offer ample support for day-long relaxation. If you get the trims with the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, you can enjoy their heating and ventilation as needed for ultimate comfort. The side bolstering in the rear seats does not feel flat as it tends to in some of the E-PACE's rivals, and it will keep occupants secure while rounding through turns.

3. Chic and Classy Jag Style

This is every bit a Jaguar when it comes to style. The E-PACE has sleek, undulating lines along its body, an upscale interior, and tech gadgetry that looks nice. Everything inside of the cabin is thoughtfully laid out, and you really do get the sense that you are riding around in style.

4. Logically Laid-out Controls

Up front, the controls are laid out in a way that makes sense to the average driver. Everything is within reach, and the controls' labels are all easy enough to read. There is very little guesswork involved in which control performs what function. The multi-functional climate control knobs - which control ventilation, temperature, fan speed, and seat heating - are rather brilliant in their design and execution. There aren't a ton of buttons cluttering the dash, but there are enough that those who've been driving older vehicles won't feel totally flabbergasted.

5. Easy Entrance and Exit

Getting in and out of the 2022 Jaguar E-PACE is remarkably simple, even for a small SUV. The driver can simply slide in and adjust the seat for height and fore or aft with the mere press of a button. They can also adjust the steering wheel - which is tilting and telescoping - for easy entrance and exit, as well as for comfort while driving. Even getting into the back seats is easy enough thanks to the wide door openings.

6. Plenty of Outward Visibility

The E-PACE offers a good amount of outward visibility all around thanks to its slender roof pillars and tall side mirrors that help the driver see into the vehicle's blind spots, which are minimal. Of course, you get a standard rearview camera and can get a blind spot monitoring system to help you know if a vehicle is driving beside you in your blind spot. But without all of that tech, you still get an excellent view of everything around you with the naked eye.

7. The 11.4-inch Pivi Pro Infotainment System

The 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system looks sleek and is responsive to inputs. Its layout is user-friendly in its design, and the graphics and crisp and clear. Using this system has a short learning curve, and it is probably one of the best systems you will find in the luxury segment.

8. Numerous Tech Options

Jaguar offers a lot of tech options that you can add on if you would like to do so. You can snag adaptive cruise control, a digital rearview mirror, heating on the rear seats, ventilation for the front seats, a 15-speaker premium sound system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system that gives you a top-down view of everything immediately surrounding your vehicle. A lot of the features made standard on the higher trims can be added as options to the lower trims.

9. A Practical Amount of Cargo Space

With 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space when all seats are left upright, the E-PACE has a practical amount of cargo area. While this doesn't quite top the BMW X1, it comes closer than other top rivals. And the design is laid out in a sensible fashion with enough ways to secure your cargo.

10. High-end Materials For A Superb Build Quality

As per usual, the build quality on this Jag is high-end, inside and out. The exterior looks and feels totally solid, and the interior is host to gorgeous materials that rival Jag's German competitors. All in all, while you do pay a premium price, you get premium content.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Jaguar E-PACE – The Cons

1. Steering Feels Numb

The one flaw in the E-PACE's performance is its lackluster steering. The steering comes off as being vague and does not offer much road feel to the driver. It is difficult to know just how much input you need to give the steering when you are making quick maneuvers.

2. A Stiff Ride From the P300 Sport

If you opt for the P300 Sport, beware of its overly stiff ride quality. The adaptive suspension dampers are supposed to enhance handling and ride comfort, but this doesn't feel like the case. The bigger wheel size is partially to blame though. Those 20-inch wheels make for a lot of stiffness, and the smaller wheel sizes don't seem to do that.

3. A Touchy Haptic System For Certain Controls

One of the issues you might take with the controls is that the haptics for some of the climate control system and those mounted onto the steering wheel are rather touchy. It is hard to know just how much pressure to apply to them to get them to respond, which will leave you wishing for traditional buttons here.

4. Glitchy Voice Controls and Advanced Driver Aids

The E-PACE's voice controls need some revision. The system is a lot glitchier than you might like, taking 15-20 seconds just to recognize and respond to even the simplest of commands. And the advanced driver aids? Those could use some fine-tuning as well. The lane keep system is sluggish to respond, and the optional speed-based adaptive cruise control system is extremely aggressive when it goes to change speed - the worst being when it tries to slow down.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Jaguar E-PACE vs. 2022 BMW X2

One of the toughest competitors in this segment is the 2022 BMW X2. This competitively priced vehicle offers its buyers a unique series of styling cues that differentiate it from its X1 counterpart, which comes off as more traditional in its design. The X2 offers sporty handling and a quick acceleration. The build quality is superb and composed of high quality materials, as you might expect from a BMW. However, headroom in the rear seat is somewhat lacking, and the ride quality comes off as being too stiff for a luxury vehicle. Also, the brakes are so grabby that they make panic braking in heavy traffic a bit concerning.

2022 Jaguar E-PACE vs. 2022 Cadillac XT4

Slightly more expensive is the 2022 Cadillac XT4. The XT4 suffers from a lack of standard luxury features (which are thrown into a list of options), an overly busy ride quality, excessive road and engine noise, and controls that can be somewhat befuddling to try to use. On the plus side, the XT4 has plenty of cargo space, a spacious interior design, and a snazzy and responsive infotainment system equipped inside of it.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2022 Jaguar E-PACE embodies almost everything we have come to expect from the company: refinement, style, and user-oriented technology. Inside and out, the E-PACE oozes quality. Although it is a little more expensive than some competitors, it delivers premium materials and a respectable enough performance for an extra-small luxury crossover SUV.