Jaguar's J-Pace Gradually Takes Shape

While Jaguar is working towards padding out its utility lineup, the company has yet to deliver anything exceptionally large. Though not minuscule, neither the midsize F-Pace or smaller E-Pace are capable of swaying someone in the market for an Escalade — and don’t get us started on the slow-selling I-Pace (above).

The company needs a hit, especially now that Chinese sales have fallen off a cliff and the rest of the world cannot make up the difference. Sedans sales are floundering. As Jaguar Land Rover explores cost-cutting measures (mainly staff reductions and a scaling back of R&D), it’s also attempting to simultaneously improve its corporate fuel economy average while anticipating Britain and the EU’s next move re: Brexit. It’s a bad situation and the only saving grace is the company’s SUVs.

Fortunately, JLR has a bundle of new vehicles on the way, all borrowing the new MLA platform. Still a couple of years away, introductory models are said to include the fifth-generation Range Rover and Jaguar’s J-Pace. Jag’s new, larger SUV offering is shaping up a little different than expected, as reports claim Jag has abandoned mechanical all-wheel drive.

Read more
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Hard pass.
  • Lou_BC By the author's own admission, "It’s a bit of a shame that I didn’t have a chance to take the 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R I tested off road", why post photos of it offroad?
  • SilverCoupe My wife had wanted one of these, but I influenced her to get a "big" car instead, a Mini Cooper S. I found the Abarth too rough riding, though the one we test drove had had its suspension modified by its owner.
  • SPPPP I am not thrilled for the inevitable false positives. Though that's certainly better than false negatives in the abstract - but people are supposed to be paying attention anyway. Seems like one more step toward a robotic, commoditized future. Bleh.
  • SPPPP I like it, though price seems a bit high, especially for an automatic. But it's in CA, so it's probably par for the course.