The New Jaguar E-Bass: A Rival to BMW X1 and Mercedes Q3?

As we take a closer look at the inside of the Jaguar E-Bass, it's clear that this is not your average electric vehicle. The name "E-Bass" might be a bit misleading, as it doesn't rely on electric power like its visuals ease counterparts. Instead, it's a smaller, more agile SUV that shares its platform with the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque, and other similar models.

The E-Bass is actually built in Austria, which may seem unusual given that some of its competitors are built in China. However, this particular model has been designed to stand out from the crowd, with a sleek design that's sure to turn heads. Its length measures approximately 4.44 meters, making it smaller than an F-Pace. Despite its compact size, the E-Bass is equipped with four-wheel drive, allowing it to handle challenging terrain with ease.

One of the most significant features of the E-Bass is its transmission system. It's powered by a transverse front-mounted engine, which drives through a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission. However, what sets this model apart is its new, bespoke transmission system designed specifically for transverse applications – predominantly front-wheel drive configurations. This is notable because the E-Bass will be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants.

The engine options available for the E-Bass are impressive, with a range of petrol and diesel power units. The base model features a 300 metric horsepower engine, which translates to about 296 brake horses. While this may not seem like a lot compared to other cars on the market, it's worth noting that the E-Bass is designed for agile, responsive handling rather than sheer speed.

When it comes to driving experience, the E-Bass delivers surprisingly good refinement levels – relatively quiet and free from excessive wind noise or road noise. This is remarkable, considering its compact size and transverse design. However, when pushing the car harder, there are some noticeable dynamics that set it apart from other models in its class.

Inside the E-Bass, you'll find a well-appointed cabin that feels distinctly Audi-like – which might be a bit of a disappointment to those expecting a more traditional Jaguar experience. The interior design is pleasant enough, with an swooping dashboard separating the driver and passenger compartments. However, some may notice that the materials used in this model don't quite live up to BMW's reputation for solid, high-quality construction.

Despite these reservations, the E-Bass has its moments – particularly when it comes to its unique features like a "water feature" that seems to flow down one side of the dashboard. This design element creates a sense of visual interest and helps create a driver-focused cabin. The overall design is also noteworthy, with plenty of thoughtful touches like large door pockets and storage compartments.

While driving the E-Bass, it's clear that this car won't offer the same level of dynamics as Jaguar saloon models – nor should it be expected to. Instead, it strikes a balance between agility and stability, making it suitable for both urban and rural driving scenarios. However, those seeking true performance will find that other cars in its class can still offer more.

In terms of ride quality, the E-Bass is pleasant on smooth roads but can feel brittle in stiffer conditions. Given its compact size, this is not entirely surprising – however, some may find it to be less than ideal. Despite these drawbacks, the E-Bass is an impressive effort from Jaguar, offering a unique blend of style, comfort, and performance that's sure to appeal to fans of the brand.

Ultimately, the E-Bass represents a bold new direction for Jaguar in the small SUV market – one that blends its heritage with modern sensibilities. While it may not be the most refined or dynamic car on the road, it certainly has its moments and is well worth considering for those looking for a stylish, practical, and agile vehicle.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhello and welcome to the inside of a Jaguar chase what is an e bass well it's not electrically powered like most visuals ease there's just smaller than an F pace FAC post makes perfect sense think of it as a rival to BMW x1 howdy q3 one of the Mercedes Jail something Rather's a probably a new sport crossover of which there are lots on a SUV crossover for I thought call them what you will this is four-wheel drive this car and it shares its platform was about four point four four point five meters long she shares its platform with the Land Rover Discovery sport Range Rover Evoque but it's not built in the same place because the hair would plant in a pool that is building if open disco sport is already thought so it's built what some of them are going to be built in China this one I think is built in Austria and the Magnus stay implant so a new jlr product what's it got under the skin was got a transverse front-mounted engine driving through in this case you can have a 6-speed manual this got nine speeds at F transmissions a new ish transmission built specifically for transverse applications predominantly front-wheel drive applications because that's the most significant thing about the new II base from our point of view I mean you know some people go for the looked Impala but what you and I want to know is it any good to drive because it's a front wheel drive platform the first front-wheel drive Jaguar since the X type they often we allow a denied CMX taxi and its heritage flea X times very often do you tonic anyway they're all going to be powered - he places not x times by the genial range of Jaguars engine so their diesel petrol modular four-cylinder things I think they will share up its check while longer pilots Shara block this one is the petrol with 300 metric horsepower which is about 296 brake so let's pop it down manual overrides on them on the thing how does it sound relatively quiet fact when I'm tooling along between six miles now here instead of it on this road can't hear the engine at all do get a reasonable bit of wind noise and a bit of road noise normal for the class I think actually refinement levels are pretty good alright what about the rest of it inside well you know you're getting an Audi it feels like an Audi you get in a BMW it feels like a BMW you get in this Jaguar and it does to its credit feel like a jankura now from a sort construction point of view from a sort of fraud things point of view and infotainment point of view that doesn't necessarily follow that is the best in the class because you know how these BMWs they all have that really Germanic solid feeling plastics rubberized plastics that you don't quite get to the same extent in here but it is pretty nicely designed it's got a swooping dashboard this side which separates driver and passenger quite nicely that side looks like I know some kind of water feature would pour over it but it what it does means it gives this sort of driver-focused cabin you get an F tight for the sports car actually I'll quite and I quite like that little bit glare of some of the aluminium in here so manufacturers don't do that with Range Rover fella I was the same you get the sort of Sun down and it melts back up it's a straight in your face but by and large it is a pleasing enough interior there's no space in the back loads of storage cubbies actually chair makes a big thing of this big door pockets big bin in here but importantly what's it like to drive well this one because it's a fairly high range-topping one is full wheel drive but it gets the blend of ride handling not too bad if you come at it expecting Jaguar saloon dynamics but you're not going to find them okay it steers it steers quite nicely to be fair but when you sort of lean on it in a corner it leaves onto the front outside tire of it and then as you sort of lift it it just sort of gets a bit of diagonal pitch going on it's pretty good for a car off of this type but a saloon car a lower car will always be a dynamically superior thing the ride quality is okay around town as bit brittle because this one is on 2022 look big on a car like this it's a small car and even if you styling swiftly and aggressively I always think a sort of a compact tall SUV trailer angry always just it looks really aggressive does it sort of looks like an angry jelly baby or something they never looked really her so against the other cars in its class well he's a Jaguar take on the small SUV thing and that's fine you know actually if you come to this car expecting jag Irish dynamics you won't find them but you wouldn't buy an SUV if that's what you wanted in the first place if you want a car that looks like a genuine feels pretty much like a Jaguar certainly is like a Jagger's are inside it's probably the best-looking car in the class isn't it it's nice enough inside it's nice enough to drive it's fine those help loads\n"