We love the Jaguar I-Pace, but ownership can be frustrating. Proceed with caution if you are considering one, because some owners have had lots of problems, while others have had none at all. We’d also check out the Audi e-tron (renamed Q8 e-tron in 2023), which is refined and luxurious, but costly to buy and run, and not especially efficient.
What to look for
Reliability
Despite the number of recalls, owners seem happy with their cars. Long delays for spare parts is one of the biggest gripes.
Money talk
Not only is a revised iX due to arrive soon, but lots of three-year-old cars will hit the market before long, leading to lower values. Great news if you’re buying.
Peace of mind
The iX’s warranty runs for three years with no mileage limit; the battery has its own eight-year/100,000-mile guarantee. Batteries are lasting well, say owners.
On the pull
A lot of EVs aren’t able to tow or have a low limit. Not the iX though, which can haul up to 2,500kg, even in entry-level form. But if you do tow, expect the range to drop to just 120 miles or so, in xDrive40 form.
Interior
The iX’s interior is modern and hi-tech, but not intimidating. The lack of a transmission tunnel opens things up, and although there’s a minimal amount of switchgear, the iDrive controller is easy to use, thanks to software specifically created for this car. Most controls operate through the screen, but the climate control is always visible and readily accessible. There’s also voice control, which works well.
The cabin is filled with premium materials, and it’s not short of headroom and legroom for those in the back. If there’s a gripe (albeit a minor one), it’s that the boot should be bigger, to compete with key rivals. It’s not small though, at 500 litres, or 1,750 litres with the back seats folded completely flat.
Running costs
As with all BMWs, the iX has condition-based servicing, so the interval isn’t fixed. The maximum gap between services is two years, and you can expect to pay £325 each time, which covers the cost of replacing the brake fluid and cabin filter, along with the key battery.
