• Electric motor makes 400hp, 696Nm of torque
• Very fast, but equally as easy to drive
• 0-60mph sprint takes 4.5 seconds

What power options are there?

There’s just one available in the Jaguar I-Pace, badged EV400. It’s a twin motor set-up (one each on the front and rear axles) allied with a 90kWh battery pack. Put that lot together and you get 400hp and 696Nm of torque – which is quite a lot, even by the standards of large electric SUVs.

The result is a very quick benchmark 0-62mph time of under five seconds. In the real world, there’s instant lag-free acceleration when you want it and effortless overtaking when you need it. In common with all electric cars, the I-Pace’s throttle is super-responsive, but we found the power is easily managed during gentle manoeuvres. But it’s not all about speed. Press the ‘D’ button on the centre console and the I-Pace glides from its parking space into urban traffic, apparently silently inside, but with a low hum to warn pedestrians.

More intriguing is the one-pedal driving mode. Simply releasing the throttle results in a relatively strong retardation as the regenerative braking harvests electricity to replenish the battery. You can tone down the regen’s strength via sub-menus on the touchscreen and rely more on the brake pedal, if you prefer. It takes some time to get used to one-pedal driving, but we actually prefer it. It’s more energy efficient and mastering it genuinely feels like a significant achievement.

What’s it like to drive?

• One of the best handling EVs on sale
• Huge grip but playful chassis
• Agile and quick steering

The most surprising thing about the I-Pace is how enjoyable it is to drive. Considering it’s a heavy electric SUV, it’s a delight to pilot down a challenging road. Its balance of strong grip, quick steering, instant performance and resolute body control are deeply impressive.

On tight B-roads, there’s no disguising the car’s bulk, though. Turn into a tight corner too quickly and you feel a lot of bodyroll. But when up to speed, the I-Pace shrinks around you, and is a real joy to drive. And it’s not all about its impressive acceleration – far from it, in fact. Its combination of talents can keep you amused on every journey.

The car’s width can be tricky to manage on narrow city streets, but it still feels light and agile in town. It’s a consummate motorway cruiser, as well. The smooth ride defines the driving experience at higher speeds, along with wind- and road-noise that’s impressively suppressed for a very quiet ride.

It’s also comfortable. On standard 20-inch alloys, the I-Pace feels impeccably cushioned and controlled, even over the roughest surfaces. Air suspension is available on higher-spec I-Paces, but the standard coil spring set-up is excellent, and we challenge most buyers to tell the difference. Yes, you get more driving modes and height adjustment with the air set-up, but if you’re unlikely to use them and plan to stick with the standard-sized wheels, you might as well save some money and get the standard set-up.

It’s a real contrast with other large electric SUVs. You can certainly make rapid cross-country progress cars like the Audi Q8 E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, but it’s not an involving experience. And you can tell there are some very powerful electronics working extremely hard to manage the car’s weight. There’s often a fidgetiness to their ride quality around town and on motorways, as well, especially when big wheels are fitted.