Jaguar was ahead of the game when it introduced the I-Pace, an all-electric compact luxury SUV brimming with style and driving fun. Four years after, it remains one of the best-looking vehicles on the road with its curves and road-hugging stance. From the design to the driving experience, you’re not mistaking this for anything else on the road. We take the 2022 Jaguar I-Pace for a spin to see if this pioneer still stands out in a fast-growing segment.
2022 Jaguar I-Pace: Exhilarating and Engaging
A car wearing the Jaguar badge, whether it’s a battery-electric vehicle or not, needs to deliver on driving dynamics. That’s one of the brand’s traits. I’m happy to report that the 2022 I-Pace passes with flying colors. Throw it into a corner and it’ll happily slice through it without hesitation. Add its quick, communicative steering with lots of feedback to the mix and you feel the car connecting with you. Factor in nonexistent body roll and you have an EV that enthusiasts will enjoy; a vehicle with legitimate sporting credentials that’s approachable yet visceral.
All of that driving fun won’t break your back either. Thanks to the standard air suspension, the I-Pace rides superbly and does a fantastic job keeping the cabin isolated from harsh impacts. Best of all, it remains confident and free of any vertical motions when going over big bumps and potholes. My test car came with the standard 20-inch alloy wheels on all-season rubber, which provided good grip levels. However, I’d suggest opting for one of the 22-inch wheel options. In addition to enhancing the I-Pace’s presence, they’re wrapped in stickier summer performance tires for better handling. Best of all, they don’t reduce the car’s driving range.
Available only in dual-motor AWD configuration, the I-Pace makes 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque. The 90-kWh battery pack has a usable capacity of 84.7 kWh. This gives the crossover effortless acceleration for virtually every situation. Mash the throttle and you’ll get pinned to your seats as you accelerate to triple-digit speeds in no time. Select Sport mode and the accelerator nearly turns into an on/off switch, giving you instant responses.
The Charging Part
Although the powertrain is one of the I-Pace’s biggest strengths, it’s also one of its weaknesses. How? Its 100-kW peak DC charging speed isn’t competitive anymore, especially considering the battery’s size. Despite its consistency, my charging sessions still took some time because it’s not quick enough. Even with the car surpassing its peak and taking in between 100 to 113 kW for over 10 minutes, the battery’s capacity is simply too big. The 222-mile EPA estimate is also on the low side, putting the I-Pace behind its competitors. At least I managed to beat these ratings, traveling 240 miles before needing to plug in.
2022 Jaguar I-Pace: Simplified But Still Luxurious
Jaguar did a fantastic job with the I-Pace’s fit and finish. Everything you touch feels expensive and nearly every surface has padding or soft, squishy plastics. Excellent levels of sound insulation keep the cabin hushed at all speeds. The front seats offer plenty of support and they’re supremely comfortable for extended periods. Those in the back have plenty of legroom plus soft cushions. Despite the low roofline, the I-Pace offers generous headroom thanks to the glass roof. Cargo space, on the other hand, is at a premium with all seats in place. You get more usable volume by folding the rear seats down. The 40/20/40 split setup provides additional flexibility for hauling bulky items.
Technology Mixed Bag
Jaguar Land Rover’s Pivi Pro interface is a welcome improvement over its predecessor. It’s quick, easy to personalize, and doesn’t have many submenus. The 10.0-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster feature vivid graphics and a clean, uncluttered layout. Quite possibly the highlight is the 15-speaker Meridian audio system; it’s incredibly clear, immersive, and highly customizable. My only complaint is the climate controls because the smaller secondary touchscreen forces you to take your eyes off the road. Additionally, the two knobs operate three functions, meaning you need to remember to push down for the heated and ventilated front seats and pull up for fan speed before you rotate them.
Every 2022 Jaguar I-Pace gets a full suite of driver assistance features as standard equipment. That includes the usual collision prevention systems plus adaptive cruise control, steering assist, and driver attention alert. Immediately you’ll notice that this is an older suite by the way it makes corrections. They’re a little too abrupt and can feel jerky, especially the lane-keeping and evasive steering components. Adaptive cruise control’s distancing aspect leaves too much space between you and the vehicle ahead and it’s late to react to someone cutting you off.
Still Worth It?
Despite being fantastic to drive, alluring to look at, easy to live with, and luxurious, age hinders the 2022 Jaguar I-Pace. it constantly reminds you that it’s one of the older EVs on the market. The middling range and low peak DC charging speeds limit the car’s appeal, especially in an age where 150 kW or higher is the norm. Newer EVs go farther and charge faster, and sadly, great road manners and a new user interface can’t fix that. With Jaguar’s electrification blitz not starting until 2024, we hope the I-Pace gets some much need range and charging speed updates to bring it back into the conversation.
