ONCE synonymous with tweed suits, country estates and British aristocracy, Jaguar has transitioned into the 21st century with a number of exciting and contemporary models including the F-Type sportscar and the F-Pace, the company’s first SUV.

The latest chapter in its move towards mainstream popularity comes in the form of the E-Pace, the British manufacturer’s foray into the burgeoning small SUV segment that is set to take on the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLA jacked-up hatchback.

Jaguar is tipping the E-Pace to comfortably become the brand’s best-selling model, and will bring a new demographic of buyer – namely more young females – into Australian showrooms.

A huge amount of variation is offered for customers, with five engines, four spec levels and two exterior trims, which combined with two First Edition offerings bring the number of variants to 38.

With flashy exterior styling, potent Ingenium powertrains and prodigious choice, can the E-Pace make a splash in the competitive small SUV segment?