Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport review: a continued success – mostly

You see quite a lot of Jaguar I-Pace models on the road. Perhaps not as many as Jaguar might like though, hence the reason that it’ll be disappearing from the range in the not-too-distant future.

Making way for a whole new line-up of EVs is all well and good. But as it stands right now the Jaguar I-Pace still looks great and feels even better to drive in its latest incarnation. Check out my review of the original model. Revisions made to this latest edition are quite modest, however, but they’ve been executed brilliantly.

If you’re after a family-focused SUV with plenty of space and comfort, but still hanker after performance, the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport is certainly the one to consider. The car you see here packs in plenty of options though, adding £3,840 to the list price of £79,940. That takes the total to a sizeable £83,835, which isn’t cheap, but the package is a comprehensive one.

This is also a Jaguar, so you’ll be getting plenty of performance, some great handling while range is perhaps the only slightly less impressive aspect of the current four-wheel drive big cat.

The styling

The Jaguar I-Pace has been around for a while now, but it still feels very relevant. Appearance-wise, the minor tweaks simply serve to underline how cool the shape looks. The most noticeable update is the smooth front grille panel. This blanked-off addition makes the drop-nose-style front end seem even more aerodynamic. Either side are the really good matrix LED headlights, which peep out from beneath the neat undulations of the bonnet.

Down the sides there’s very little to report. The smooth styling is only disturbed when you unlock the car to get in and out, with all four recessed door handles popping out with a satisfying clunk. Head around to the back and the I-Pace retains its distinctive svelte taillights. Meanwhile, the plethora of black trim is complimented only by a minimal flourish of brightwork here and there. The tailgate spoiler tops it off. 22-inch black alloys on this model look the part too and perfectly compliment the Carpathian Grey exterior of my test example.

Inside, there’s lots more dark hues throughout the cockpit. There are sumptuous, body-hugging seats that make light work of a long run simply because they’re so comfortable. Everything falls easily to hand too, with lots of practical storage points that make this SUV ideally suited to families. The climate controls work via innovative and physical dials, supplemented by a small but crisp and clear display. Drive modes are engaged via big one-touch buttons below that. The interior mood is lifted a little thanks to a glass panoramic roof. A generous 656-litre boot adds extra family-friendly appeal.

The drive

One of the best things about the Jaguar I-Pace is the way it drives. The 400 Sport is no exception. This is a great EV to do a long run in and also seems equally happy being thrown around back roads just as much as it does cruising down the motorway. There are things to watch though. Like the width of the SUV if you’re winding your way along the former and quite rapid battery drain if you’re on the latter for any great amount of time. The initial range sounds quite impressive. But it’s not long before the figure is well under the 200-mile mark and charging thoughts start creeping into your head.

Despite the weight of 2,670kg for the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport, this doesn’t feel like a bulky car when you’re pushing it. Naturally, there’s plenty of power on tap for when you need it and overtaking is never a concern. Equally, the Jaguar I-Pace feels wonderfully agile for a biggish piece of kit. The suspension is quite firm. But that works in the SUV’s favour when you’re on interesting stretches of road while the comfortable seats make the experience perfectly acceptable. Overall, the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport proves to be a lot of fun when you’re in it for a while.

The technology

The Jaguar I-Pace comes with Pivi Pro, which commands centre of attention in the central touchscreen and everything works as you’d hope for. The built-in navigation and voice controls aren’t perhaps quite as intuitive or, indeed, helpful as you’d like in a car of this class. But wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are at hand if you suffer frustration on that front. There’s also wireless charging, plus a smattering of USB power sockets throughout. So, if you’re carrying a family any subsequent grumbles should be kept to a minimum.

There’s a very good head-up display in the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport too, while another highpoint is the 825Watt Meridian audio system. The cockpit is a very quiet place thanks to the thick carpets, chunky seats and all the rest of it, and this sound deadening allows you to really milk the best out of the speaker system. Crank it up and there’s not a hint of distortion from any of the woofers, which is a big bonus in my book. The heated and cooled, 14-way adjustable electric seats allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy those tunes too.

App and charge rate

When I got the car I was also encouraged to download the Jaguar Remote app, alongside creating an InControl account. You have to invest a little bit of time setting this up, but it does allow you to enjoy remote connected functions, such as having more control over the car when you’re not in it. Crucially, it enables enhanced security measures to be activated, which when you’re driving an 80-plus grand vehicle seems to make the setup procedure time well spent.

It’s a shame the I-Pace isn’t a little sprightlier when it comes to charging, with the best rate available being 100kW, but I got it up to full charge overnight quite happily on a domestic charger. Anyone in a hurry at a commercial charger might not be so pleased, however.

Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport verdict

If you love this brand then it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed with the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport. It’s been wonderfully put together with the interior fit and finish proving to be a real highlight. As you’d expect, there’s beefy performance too and the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport goes and stops again just as you’d expect from a car of this class.

It doesn’t seem especially efficient though and with the range starting out in the early 200-mile region and subsequently diminishing quite fast soon after, charging regularly does become a bit of a theme. Doubtless this is exacerbated by enthusiastic driving, simply because the Jag eggs you on to push it to the max where it’s safe and legal to do so.

However, even if you use your left foot more gingerly the Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport seems average when it comes to using battery power. Aside from that though, it is all very good indeed.

Jaguar I-Pace 400 Sport specs