Overview & Reviews

Jaguar cars have a long history of elegant styling and sporting performance. The brand was born in the United Kingdom, and for years its vehicles were synonymous with the old-world luxury of the British upper classes. More recently, Jaguar has been under the ownership of other automakers, but Jaguar cars will always bear the unmistakable gleam of traditional English refinement.

The company traces its roots to the Swallow Sidecar Company, founded in 1922 by Bill Lyons and William Walmsley. Based in Blackpool, England, the company produced a popular line of aluminum motorcycle sidecars. Swallow eventually switched its focus to automobile production, changing its name to SS Cars Ltd. in 1933. The first vehicle to carry the Jaguar name was the SS Jaguar 100, released in 1935.

After World War II, SS Cars switched its moniker to Jaguar so as not to be associated with the Nazi paramilitary organization that bore the same initials. Its first postwar offering was 1948's Mark V. The luxury sedan was joined that year by the XK 120, a sports car that was the fastest production automobile of its day — its name indicating its top speed. The XK 120 proved quite popular, and helped Jaguar establish a strong presence in the sports car market.

By the 1950s, Jaguar had begun exporting luxury vehicles to the United States. Created just for the American market, the Mark VII Saloon was introduced in 1951 and was a hit with stateside motorists. In 1956, the car took the prize at the Monte Carlo Rally. Later in the decade, Jaguar added the Mark VIII and Mark IX to its lineup. Meanwhile, the XK became the XK 140 as performance increased. Then came the XK 150 which was obviously even faster, though not quite as curvaceously alluring as the 120/140 models.

The 1960s saw the launch of one of Jaguar's most well-known models. The E-Type (or XK-E as it was known in the U.S.) debuted for 1961. The new sports car, available as either a coupe or convertible, provided performance and refinement wrapped up in an undeniably sexy package. The success of groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and icons like Twiggy the fashion model made British culture a hot commodity during the '60s — a fact that likely had positive implications for Jaguar's popularity in the U.S.

A decade later, Jaguar introduced the XJ6C and XJ12C coupes to join the sedans. At one point, the XJ12 was the fastest production sedan of its day. By the mid-'70s the lovely E-Type was replaced by the relatively bland XJ-S. The 1980s saw Jaguar continuing to raise the bar in performance with the launch of the XJ-S HE and a true world supercar, the XJ220.
By this time, however, Jaguar's cars had also built up a reputation for questionable reliability, electrical problems being the chief source of owners' angst. Increased competition from German automakers and adverse exchange rates didn't help matters either. Without much capital to work with to improve matters, the company decided to pursue a partnership with another company. This decision ultimately led to a full buyout of Jaguar by Ford in 1990.

Ford's influence (and financial support) was evident with the 1997 launch of Jaguar's XK8 and supercharged XKR sports cars. Powering both was Jaguar's new AJ-V8, a compact yet powerful engine that was also used in certain Land Rover vehicles. A few years later, Jaguar made an effort to broaden its product line with the introduction of a lower-priced, entry-luxury compact sedan known as the X-Type. Unfortunately, this model sold poorly, as its modest European Ford sedan underpinnings proved to be a liability. Around this time, Jaguar's old-school traditional styling grew stale as competitors moved into the new millennium with cutting-edge, modern designs inside and out.

Sales plummeted, and Jaguar's financial problems caused further headaches for parent company Ford, which was also experiencing financial turmoil. Ford cut its losses and sold Jaguar (and fellow British premium brand Land Rover) to Indian manufacturer Tata in 2008. Though reliability still remains a concern, new models like the XF and redesigned icons XK and XJ seem to indicate a bright Jaguar future, as they feature modern designs sprinkled with a fair share of classic Britannic charm.

User Reviews:

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  A real improvement - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By RA Spell - November 3 - 10:00 am

  After owning a 99 XJ8 and an 01 XKR, I wanted a different brand of car for my wife. After test driving all models with a bias to NOT buy a Jaguar, I still bought the Jag. THIS CAR IS A VAST IMPROVMENT OVER PAST MODELS and I believe it to be currently the best car on the road. My one complaint is outside appearance. I liked the lower profile Jag. This is taller and more rounded but compensated with better cabin room. Performance is its strength as it is incredibly more responsive. Test this car and you wont be disappointed.

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  This is the second modern Jag I owned, last one 2010 XKR convertible - 2014 Jaguar F-Type
  By rting1 - November 3 - 5:18 am

  Not sure why people will buy V6, unless its the money issue. V8 has way more power & better sound. A absolute head rush. Unless if you track all the time, otherwise no point to have V6. But again, if you track all the time, you probably should buy a 911. Many people buy Porsche said Porsche is a better performance car but never take the car to track. For me, a sports car is all about style, sound, power and being unique. This is my 2nd Jag, last one was a 2010 XKR convertible. I didnt have any reliability issue at all, dont expect on this one. However, I did have horrible reliability & built quality experiences with Porsche & Mercedes SL55. Jag is the only company that I bought 2 cars.

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  I love my XTYPE Sport - 2005 Jaguar X-Type
  By Kechele27 - October 13 - 10:16 am

  It doesnt get better for the price. It is true that it is heavy and does not corner as well as a BMW or other sport car- but its not meant to. This car is for a comfortable ride, a luxurious ride, and it is the perfect size, has the perfect interior and is truly a headturner on the streets..plus...you dont see many on the road..always a plus- its not your regular civic or camry.

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  This car turns head for sure! - 2011 Jaguar XJ
  By Ralph Alcantar Jr - October 4 - 7:00 pm

  The new design caused me to trade in my LS460/Lexus and change my mind on the purchase of a S500/Mercedes after one test drive. I would have never considered the old Jaguar design. This car attracts so much attention and persuaded me as a younger generation buyer. Fun to drive and handles great.

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  Performance for those with patience - 2005 Jaguar S-Type
  By RWhite - September 19 - 2:46 pm

  Fast, luxurious, comfortable, and very easy to handle. However, 25 months after I bought it new, during which it was in the shop for warranty work for 38 days, I had to trade it for a car I could depend on. When it runs, it is wonderful. However, everything negative about Jaguars reliability came true. I would only recommend this car to someone who has money, patience, and lives very close to a Jaguar dealer.

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  Surprisingly good car - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By J. Gormelski - September 2 - 12:36 am

  I wanted something everyone else doesnt have that was stylish and had AWD. This car fills the bill. Despite what reviewers say, I really like the JGate shifter. Havent had any problems at all, except the re- programming of my key remote. Great in the winter...and the car always turns heads.

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  The Last "Real" Jaguar Sedan - 2001 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By John Mulvihill - August 30 - 5:20 pm

  Ford owned Jaguar when this car was on the drawing boards, but left the Brits alone to create the last "Lyons-era" big Jaguar saloon, 100% British in components, design, and construction. The result is the finest XJ ever. Its low-slung (5" lower than todays luxury cars) and gorgeous. In the best Jaguar tradition, this big sedan is silky, quiet, and fast. Only a handful of supercharged VDPs are produced by Jaguar every year, and all are pre-sold. Supercharged VDPs are the ultimate Jaguars, and this generation of XJs is the finest of the breed. Tightening safety and fuel economy standards mean well never see cars like this again.

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  True Blue but often Yellow - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By KCnHouston - August 8 - 11:30 am

  It was the best of cars, it was the worst of cars. After almost 5 years I still love this car. But the fun of driving a X-Type Sport 2.5 quickly wore thin after returning the car for service and repairs more often than I can remember. I kept all of the records but I dont think that I will keep them in the car when I go to try to sell it because I dont want anyone to see how many times the car has needed repair.

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  Jaguar X-Type - 2008 Jaguar X-Type
  By coyzan - July 29 - 9:48 am

  I bought the Jaguar X-Type 3 months ago and quite frankly, I had my reservations about it initially. It was love at first sight, but having never driven owned or driven a Jaguar, I was trepidatious to say the least. How misplaced those reservations were. This is a beautiful car to drive. Its power is exceptional, luxury finishing is good and the AWD is truly brilliant. On the day I bought it, I had to travel a distance of more than 1400km. I had a tyre burst doing 160kph trying to get my destination (I know its speeding, but the road was long and empty and therefore irresistable.) The Jaguar did not deviate an inch. I slowed down, assessed the damage, put on the spare and was away.

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  My Jaguar XJ8 - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Richard Anapolsky - July 24 - 8:33 pm

  I love the vehicle, its look, ride and performance. The only major problem I have had is the computer system/modules. I find warning lights going on and then the dealer having problems tracing the route of the problem. Changing any of the 8 computer modules doesnt correct the problem. Hopefully the problem will be found and I will be able to enjoy my XJ8 even more. I have also not been able to find a supplier of the trailer hitch that Jaguar says is available for use with this auto. In addition producing an auto that is wired for cellular use and being told by the dealer that to activate it is $1,00- is ridiculous. Jaguar should price the activation to be affordable.