CHICAGO, Feb. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle, the I-PACE, is MotorWeek’s 2019 Drivers’ Choice Award winner for “Best of the Year,” announced today at the Chicago Auto Show, the nation’s largest consumer automotive showcase. Over an unprecedented 38 years of bringing weekly automotive news to consumers, MotorWeek has evaluated thousands of distinctive cars, but only a handful deserving of their “best of” moniker. This year’s winner brings every bit of nuanced luxury into the future all while making it the car for right now.
The Jaguar I-PACE luxury utility keeps the family-resemblance and driving character strong in this eco-friendly iteration of its brand. With all-wheel drive, a familiar Jaguar grille, and an open interior that luxuriously manages both occupants and their gear, along with a generous 234-mile plug-in range, the I-PACE is the new benchmark for five-passenger utilities.
“Jaguar has managed to engineer an electric vehicle (EV) whose creature comfort quotient is high but with all the advantages and technology we’ve come to expect from the new age of electrified models,” says MotorWeek creator and host John Davis. “The I-PACE totally delivers as an EV, besting our expectations with outstanding style, range, roominess, as well as performance handling, acceleration, and braking. As a total package, the I-PACE not only is a standout luxury utility, it is a clear winner among all new passenger vehicles.”
“We are honored to have the Jaguar I-PACE named 2019 Drivers’ Choice Award for ‘Best of the Year’ by MotorWeek,” said Joe Eberhardt, president and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “The Jaguar I-PACE has been a game changer for the brand. Being recognized as the ‘Best Luxury Utility’ vehicle and win ‘Best of the Year’ is a testament to the pioneering spirit and dedication of the design and engineering teams at Jaguar.”
Luxury buyers who sample the I-PACE will be impressed, while driver and passengers will bask in the shelter of serenity that electric vehicles provide. With an absence of engine noise, there is still an exciting element of surprise with so much effortless power and road prowess on tap. MotorWeek testing proved that point with a 0 to 60 mile per hour sprint of just over 4.2 seconds. With ‘oomph’ married to great balance and maneuverability, drivers know they are in the cabin of a Jaguar.
Jaguar has inaugurated its latest dual-screen infotainment system in the I-PACE that features a pair of instrument panel touchscreens called InControl Touch Pro Duo. While the I-PACE doesn’t ‘scream’ new technology from its ultra-plush interior, the Jaguar’s ergonomic control center is intuitive and easily within reach.
“These are only some of the reasons the I-PACE won our staff’s vote in the ‘Best Luxury Utility,’ category,” says Davis, “which then put it in the running for our ‘Best of the Year’ honor.
Watch MotorWeek’s Jaguar I-PACE roadtest (Episode #3810)
All Drivers’ Choice Award winners are featured on Motorweek.org and will appear on a special episode of MotorWeek (#3823) airing on public television stations beginning February 9, and on cable’s MotorTrend Network beginning February 19. MotorWeek and the 2019 Drivers’ Choice Awards are nationally sponsored by The Tire Rack®, WeatherTech, RockAuto, and State Farm.
One of the auto industry’s most coveted honors, MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Awards were announced at the largest consumer-driven auto show in North America, the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. In selecting the annual Drivers’ Choice Awards, the MotorWeek’s editorial staff evaluates more than 150 cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles every year. Winners are chosen based on driving performance, technology, practicality, fuel efficiency, and value for the dollar.
2019 Drivers’ Choice Award Winners:
Best Small Car Kia Forte
Best Family Sedan Nissan Altima
Best Convertible Mazda MX-5 Miata*
Best Luxury Sedan Genesis G70
Best Sport Sedan Volvo S60
Best Sport Coupe Hyundai Veloster N
Best Performance Car Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye
Best Small Utility Toyota RAV4
Best Midsize Utility Ford Edge
Best Large Utility Volkswagen Atlas*
Best Luxury Utility Jaguar I-PACE
Best Pickup Truck Ram 1500
Best Eco-Friendly Honda Clarity
Best Dream Machine Bentley Continental GT
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Porsche Panamera
MotorWeek is television’s longest-running and most respected automotive series. Debuting in 1981, MotorWeek launched a new television genre by becoming the first weekly series to offer consumer-oriented car and truck reviews, do-it-yourself car care tips, and the latest auto industry news. Produced by Maryland Public Television, the award-winning series is now in its 38th season. The winner of numerous automotive journalism awards, MotorWeek is a reliable source of automotive news on television and on the web.
Distributed nationwide and overseas by Maryland Public Television, MotorWeek airs on 92 percent of PBS broadcast stations and can also be seen on cable’s MotorTrend Network. Program excerpts are available to viewers on the program’s website motorweek.org, and on its YouTube Channel, youtube.com/Motorweek. Fans can like MotorWeek on Facebook and also follow the series on Instagram and Twitter.
* Denotes Repeat Winner from 2018
# # #
Attachments