2021 Jaguar J-Pace SUV: what we know so far
New range-topping Jaguar SUV will be a plug-in hybrid designed to tackle the Audi Q8 and Range Rover Velar...
On sale: Late 2021 | Price from: £70,000 (est)
If you wanted an SUV with a Jaguar badge on its bonnet before 2016, you were fresh out of luck. Before the launch of the F-Pace that year and the smaller E-Pace in 2017, Jaguar didn't have any representation in this most popular of markets. Instead, it left SUVs to its sister brand Land Rover, which, to be fair, has some experience in that area.
Times change, however, and SUVs are now vital to the long-term health of Jaguar. So following on from the E-Pace, F-Pace and electric I-Pace, attentions have turned to a high-tech SUV to crown the range: the J-Pace.
2021 Jaguar J-Pace engines
Built on new lightweight underpinnings that will be shared with the next-generation Range Rover, the J-Pace will be launched first as a plug-in hybrid, with its rear wheels driven by an electric motor and its front wheels powered by a traditional engine. This set-up will give it four-wheel drive but means it doesn't need a mechanical link between the two pairs of wheels, saving weight and freeing up space for a larger battery pack.
This also means there will be no awkward central tunnel for rear passengers sitting in the central seat to straddle, giving the J-Pace an advantage over its crop of rivals, which will include the Range Rover Velar, Audi Q8 and BMW X6.
Jaguar is said to be targeting an electric-only driving range of at least 50 miles for the plug-in hybrid J-Pace, but buyers looking for more range shouldn't have long to wait, because an electric version is expected to arrive soon after the standard car. Models powered by conventional petrol and diesel engines will also be offered later on, most likely in two-wheel drive form. Jaguar predicts that despite a move to electrified cars, electric vehicles will account for just 20% of new car sales by 2025.
2021 Jaguar J-Pace styling and interior
Jaguar is unlikely to preview the J-Pace with a concept car for fear that the design could be copied, but it's likely to build on the sleek, coupé-inspired looks of the I-Pace. Like that car, the J-Pace's interior will feature two touchscreens on the centre console, with the top one given over to infotainment and the smaller one below it used for climate and controls. There will also be a digital screen in front of the driver that can display information such as the sat-nav map.
At a length of around 4.9 metres, the J-Pace will be substantially longer than the I-Pace, and it will also have a larger boot, of around 650 litres. That's more than is offered in the current Range Rover, so it should comfortably handle your family's luggage or an adventurous browse through the Ikea catalogue. The J-Pace will feature a low roofline, however, which will help to make it aerodynamic and thus maximise its electric driving range.
2021 Jaguar J-Pace price
The J-Pace will sit at the very top of Jaguar's range, so it will cost more than the I-Pace, which currently has a price tag of £64,495 in entry-level form. At an estimated £70,000, the J-Pace will cost substantially more than its conventionally powered rivals but will undercut the existing Range Rover in plug-in hybrid form.
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The best hybrid cars
The J-Pace is likely to only be available in plug-in hybrid form at launch, but what if you don't want to wait until 2021 to buy a hybrid car? Well, you're in luck, because below and over the next few pages we've gathered together 10 of the best hybrid card to buy right now – and named the ones to avoid.
10. Toyota C-HR Hybrid
Toyota's smallest SUV is particularly fuel efficient in hybrid form, where a 1.8-litre petrol engine powers the car for most of the time but is supplemented by a small electric motor around town. With its low C02 emissions, the C-HR Hybrid makes good sense for company car drivers. It also gets plenty of kit as standard.
Read our full Toyota C-HR review, see our latest deals or see our leasing offers
9. Toyota Yaris Hybrid
If you're looking for a hybrid that's cheaper than the C-HR yet still has a Toyota badge on its bonnet, the Yaris Hybrid is a good choice, combining small car nimbleness with hybrid efficiency. Generous standard equipment and a spacious and practical interior add further to its appeal, even if a plasticky dashboard and a jittery ride count against it.
While most of the models in this list are practical choices, the BMW i8 shows that hybrids can also be fun to drive and hugely desirable. It's a high-performance plug-in hybrid sports car that uses a range of cutting-edge technologies to deliver serious pace and low emissions. Think of the i8 as an efficient alternative to models such as the Porsche 911 and Audi R8.
Read our full BMW i8 review, see our latest deals or see our leasing offers
Next: More of our favourite hybrid cars>
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