Overview

Filling an obvious gap in the Jaguar lineup will be the mid-size J-Pace SUV, which is expected to arrive as a 2021 model. The J-Pace will take on premium mid-sized SUVs such as the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, but we expect it to offer more seductive styling than its rivals. Little is known about the J-Pace so far, but we know it’s going to be sold eventually. It also could be the vehicle that launches the brand’s new inline-six-cylinder engine and will almost certainly offer an electrified version, be that a full EV or a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Jaguar’s been busy developing new powertrains of late, and we expect an inline-six-cylinder engine to be offered in the future—an engine that would seem to fit perfectly under the hood of a mid-size luxury SUV. There’s also talk of additional electric-vehicle offerings and, as with the smaller I-Pace SUV, the J-Pace could fit quite a large battery pack to deliver a decent all-electric range. A plug-in hybrid model is also possible. We won’t know more about what powertrains will be offered on the J-Pace until closer to its launch date.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

If the smaller F-Pace’s interior is anything to go by, the J-Pace will be lined in nice materials, Windsor leather upholstery, real wood, and aluminum trim, and feel truly upscale. With the larger, mid-size body we expect additional passenger space, particularly in the rear seat as well as an optional third row of seats for extra passengers. Cargo capacity should be enough to accommodate families and keep up with rival SUVs; for context, we fit a total of 26 carry-on suitcases inside both the 2020 Mercedes GLE450 and the 2019 BMW X5.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Like it or not, the J-Pace will almost certainly come with a touchscreen-heavy interior, with several displays to cover infotainment, vehicle settings, climate control, and more. The so-called InControl Touch Pro Duo system is currently offered in most of the rest of the Jaguar and Land Rover lineups and while slick-looking, its operations are often buggy and delayed. Navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration will all likely be standard fare.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Since the J-Pace hasn’t even been shown in concept form, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash results to report. We expect the J-Pace to come with a host of driver-assistance features as standard. An optional semi-autonomous driving mode is also likely, as nearly all of the J-Pace’s established rivals offer such a feature at least as an option.