New Jaguar E-Pace vs Jaguar F-Pace

It seems Jaguar SUVs are like buses: the British brand only launched its first – the F-Pace – last year, but having finally taken the plunge, it's now planning to introduce another three in quick succession, starting with the smaller E-Pace.

This perhaps isn't surprising given that the F-Pace now accounts for more than half of Jaguar's sales. And with prices for the E-Pace starting at £28,500, compared with £34,730 for its bigger brother, it looks certain to prove even more popular.

Just how different are the cars, though? To find out, we’re comparing E-Pace and F-Pace side-by-side.

New Jaguar E-Pace vs Jaguar F-Pace – styling

Few would argue that the F-Pace is anything other than a great looking SUV. And it's also very much a Jaguar, having a similar face to the XE and XF salooons. However, if anything, the E-Pace is even more striking.

Instead of giving it Mini-Me styling, the designers took inspiration from Jaguar’s F-Type sports car. This can be seen in headlights that stretch back into the bonnet, and side windows that taper to a point over the muscular rear haunches.

True, the E-Pace more closely resembles the F-Pace from the back, but a new taillight design that features a distinctive kink (or 'chicane') instantly dates the semicircular detail found in the taillights of other modern Jaguars.

New Jaguar E-Pace vs Jaguar F-Pace – engines and driving

The entry-level E-Pace uses a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, whereas the F-Pace range kicks off with a 161bhp version of this engine. And while the F-Pace is big enough for Jaguar to fit a 296bhp 3.0-litre diesel or a 375bhp 3.0-litre petrol unit under its bonnet, the E-Pace can't take engines of this size; instead the most powerful options are a 237bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a 296bhp petrol with the same capacity.

Where the two ranges do converge is in the middle, because the E-Pace is available with the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel that we recommend in the F-Pace. What's more, in both cars this engine is available with four-wheel drive.

We won't get to drive the E-Pace until later this year, but we'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the sportiest cars in its class, because the other models in the current Jaguar range – including the F-Pace – all offer agile and involving handling.

The main reason for caution is that the E-Pace is the first Jaguar since the original XF to be based on a steel platform. However, the lighter aluminium that’s found in the brand’s other cars is still used for the bonnet, front wings, tailgate and roof.

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