Jaguar has a lot of name recognition as one of the best luxury brands. However, buyers should take a look at the 2020 Volvo XC40, which U.S. News likes better than the Jaguar E-Pace. U.S. News gave the XC40 better ratings than the E-Pace for its Critics’ Ratings, Performance, and Interior.

The E-Pace hasn’t yet been rated in the Overall, Safety, and Reliability categories. The Volvo XC40 offers powerful engine options, a high-quality interior, plus roomy seats. It also has a lower price and more standard features than the Jaguar E-Pace.

How does the performance of the Volvo XC40 compare to the Jaguar E-Pace?

Both the Volvo XC40 and the Jaguar E-Pace have two engine options – both are small turbocharged powertrains – but the XC40 has a more responsive transmission and better performance. The E-Pace’s transmission is not as responsive and can be “hesitant to shift.”

The XC40 has a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which generates 187 hp. Its optional engine produces 248 hp. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The E-Pace has two engine options: the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 246 hp or the turbocharged four-cylinder producing 296 hp. Both are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The XC40 is also rated for better fuel efficiency than the E-Pace. It gets 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the E-Pace gets 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Another difference is that the E-Pace has all-wheel drive, while the XC40 has front-wheel drive.

How do the interiors stack up?

U.S. News says that the Volvo XC40 has “a better-looking cabin with higher-quality materials” than the Jaguar E-Pace. The Volvo XC40 provides an upscale interior, although leather seats are no longer standard. Leather can be added on the base trim, though, and does come standard on higher trim levels.

Both the front seats and the rear seats are spacious, but the cargo area is smaller than that in some competitors. The XC40 has 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which increases to 47.2 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. There is additional space under the cargo floor plus hooks and a trunk divider to maximize utility.

Leather seats are a standard feature in the E-Pace, and Premium Windsor leather seats are also available. The E-Pace offers more cargo room than the XC40 but less space in the rear seats. It has 52.7 cubic feet or 24.2 cubic feet when the rear seats are down.

The technology of the Volvo XC40 and the Jaguar E-Pace

The 2020 Volvo XC40 has plenty of standard infotainment features as well as advanced safety features. The XC40 has a 9-inch vertical touchscreen that would be easier to use with more knobs or buttons. The Jaguar E-Pace has a 10-inch touchscreen, and both vehicles are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A power liftgate, mirror memory, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and HD Radio are standard on the XC40 and optional on the E-Pace. The rear parking aid and power-folding mirrors are options on the XC40 and standard on the E-Pace. The XC40 also has optional fog lamps and an optional heated steering wheel, while the E-Pace offers an optional head-up display and automatic parking. Both include numerous safety features, but the E-Pace also has an optional cross-traffic alert.

Comparing prices

The Jaguar E-Pace has a higher price than the Volvo XC40 by about $6,250, so the XC40 has better value with more standard features at a lower price. The 2020 Jaguar E-Pace starts at $39,950, and the 2020 Volvo XC40 starts at $33,700.

The 2020 Volvo XC40 tops the 2020 Jaguar E-Pace in performance and interior style while offering more standard features. With its lower starting price, it’s worth a second look from buyers.