The Jaguar I-Pace is the British manufacturer’s first-ever foray into electrification of its model line-up. Yet it’s already one of the marque’s most awarded cars to date. The I-Pace even managed to snag three World Car of The Year Awards, including the overall accolade — the only entry to ever do so. So why is it that journalists and experts are seemingly drawn to Jaguar’s futuristic-looking BEV?

As a brand, Jaguar was once seen to be rather conservative. The line-up lacked a proper SUV until the F-Pace appeared late in the game, and instead relied on three-box saloon and estate designs to gain customers. The I-Pace then is about as radical as it gets. And, with its own dedicated one-make racing series accompanying the Formula-E calendar, of which Jaguar Racing is also an entrant of, their commitment to an electrified future is evident.

The I-Pace is more than just a gorgeous design. That said, the work of acclaimed designer Ian Callum cannot be ignored. The silhouette turns heads. With large wheel arches and a very squat stance, it seems to meld the lines of an SUV, coupe and hatchback all in one.

Inside the I-Pace, Jaguar’s reputation for luxury is evident, with plenty of leather and wood to give the interior an up-market look and feel. There are three models on offer: the S, SE and HSE. But even the lowest rung gets luxury touches such as electric seats, a Meridian sound system, and automatically-updating maps.

The motor and battery configurations are the same across the range: a 90kWh battery placed between two motors, giving the I-Pace all-wheel drive. The combined output is 294kW with 696Nm of torque. At 4.8 seconds to 100km/h the I-Pace is faster than the competing Mercedes-Benz EQC400 and Audi e-Tron 55. However, it’s no match for the similarly-priced Tesla Model S Performance.

It’s no match for Tesla in the range department either. The cheaper Tesla Model S Long Range Plus ($141,300) has a claimed mileage of a whopping 722km (540 real-world). The I-Pace can only claim 407km (365 real-world). What makes Tesla’s range even more impressive is that it does so with a similarly-sized battery, just 10 kWh larger.

The Jaguar I-Pace comes with a 5-year/200,000km warranty, as well an 8-year/160,000km warranty for the battery.

However, the I-Pace is still an impressive first foray into the world of EVs. It combines futuristic style with the unique charm that Jaguars have been known for — and, it does so in a way that doesn’t upset the traditionalists, yet also caters to a new breed.