Jaguar I-Pace launch brings a new Tesla Model X rival to the all-electric SUV arena

The Jaguar I-Pace is official. More than a year since the I-Pace Concept was unveiled, the British car manufacturer has now launched its first full-electric car.

It slides into the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) category, which means it'll be going head-to-head with the Tesla Model X.

It's not quite a big as the Model X, with the new Jaguar offering seats for up to five adults, while the Tesla can go to seven seats.

What you do get though is a 90kWh battery capable of delivering up to 298 miles per charge - although the likelihood is it'll be a little less in real life unless your driving is textbook economical.

Jaguar also says the I-Pace will be able to do 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds, ensuring that it has enough punch from the get-go. It's not quite as brisk as Tesla's 0-60 in 2.9 seconds Ludicrous Mode - but that is a pricey optional extra.

In terms of charging, from 50kW chargers you'll be able to replenish from 0% to 80% in 85 minutes, while a 30 minute charge will be good for around 80 miles of travel. It is also compatible with the 100kW fast chargers, allowing you top up even quicker with the 0% to 80% time slashed to 40 minutes.

Charging at home over a standard 7kW wall box connection will be much slower, with ten hours required to achieve an 85% top up from empty - which is fine for overnight.

Alexa, is my car locked?

Jaguar is also launching an Amazon Alexa skill for the I-Pace, which will allow you to ask your smart home assistant various questions about the car.

Examples include 'is my car locked?', 'what is the charging level?' and 'do I have enough range to get to work?'

The I-Pace is the first Jaguar to offer over-the-air software updates - a service Tesla already offers for all its models - ensuring the car has also the latest patches, fixes and features.

The Jaguar I-Pace isn't cheap, with prices starting at £63,495 (around $87,000, AU$110,000), but the Model X is a touch pricier.

That figure also doesn't include any government incentives for owning an electric vehicle, so you'll be in line for a little bit of money back.

John McCann
Global Managing Editor

John joined TechRadar over a decade ago as Staff Writer for Phones, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He's interviewed CEOs from some of the world's biggest tech firms, visited their HQs and has appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC and BBC Radio 4. Originally specializing in phones, tablets and wearables, John is now TechRadar's resident automotive expert, reviewing the latest and greatest EVs and PHEVs on the market. John also looks after the day-to-day running of the site.