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:

• 

  Number 2 and counting - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By lschuch - May 22 - 10:00 am

  This is my second S-Type. Traded my 2000 V-8 for the new 2003 S-Type R. What a car!!! Calling the engine/transmission combination superb would be a huge understatement. I cant believe how much better this car is than my 2000, which is by far the best car that I have ever owned. Build quality is incredible, no problems at all with the 2000 and the quality of the 03 appears to be even better. Dont know how they did that. This is now the best car ever.

• 

  Favorite car Ive ever owned! - 2007 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Bernard Kinlein - May 19 - 4:12 pm

  I was prepping this car to sell. When I finished I took it out for a final ride. A beautiful autumn day, some twisty back roads, I just couldnt part with it. 10 years old, it looks practically new.

• 

  Fast cat - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By jkd - May 18 - 10:00 am

  What a fun ride! The cars suspension is so smooth, it almost feels as if I am riding on air! It corners tight, not much play in the wheel, and has great acceleration. The interior is luxurious yet sporty and the sound system is excellent. Ive driven this car long distances, back and forth from Ohio to Florida several times, and found it to be super on gas - between 29 and 32 mph, of course I use nothing but premium, but its worth it. Did I mention the design? Its lines are gorgeous... Im in love with my car! Oooh......

• 

  Great Entry Into Luxury Sport - 4Dr - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By DHarrod - May 18 - 10:00 am

  The first year had a separate Sprt Model which added the needed wheels & trim - including sport seats. We love ours - Great Sytle with distinctive Jag look. We love the Sport Seats which fit my wife best (its her car and she loves it). Decent pickup and go with a nice Jag/sport growl to the motor. The car is set for moderate/strong play. Looked at BMW, Lexus, Audi, Saab, Infiniti G35 prior to buying - Carmax made us a good deal - much less than the others. We drive it hard in the Carolinas and have no issues.

• 

  Amazing - 2006 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By randy - May 17 - 12:13 am

  The moment I drove this car home I realized this is an amazing vehicle. The ride is an absolute joy and the power and acceleration are great. The finish both interior and exterior are superb and are an example of how well made these cars are. The navigator is easy to use and I love the big screen. A group of 5-6 fellows commented to my wife and I as we were getting in the car. What a cool car, we are just admiring and drooling over it. The jag does look sharp and luxurious.

• 

  FUN CAT - 2006 Jaguar XK-Series
  By DOBOSJ - May 13 - 12:23 am

  Very quiet, fast and smooth as a cat feel and performance.

• 

  My second Jag - 2005 Jaguar X-Type
  By Muggsc - May 9 - 2:10 pm

  My first JAG was an XJ8, I really wanted an S-Model, however I did not like the grill. I also think the interior of the X-type is just as nice as the S-type, except for the steering wheel, which I have ordered the wood grain finished one from the dealer. The only thing that I dont like is that the rear seating leg area is too short. Overall the car is as sweet as they get.

• 

  Jaaaaaag Wagon - 2005 Jaguar X-Type
  By Lymeboy - May 7 - 11:30 pm

  I have driven mostly BMWs for the past 20 years. I purchased this 05 Jaguar Sportwagon in July 07 and I am delighted with the design, build quality, aesthetics, and driving dynamics. It can not be compared to BMW, MB, Audi, etc., as it is British, not German. The wagon is elegant inside and out, it is comfortable for a guy with back problems. I have only seen one other Jag Wagon in the state of Maine---I do not see myself coming and going.

• 

  The classey XK8 - 2004 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Sandy - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Just cant say how wonderful the XK8 is to drive and own. How people stop to say "what a beautiful car". To drive it is even better.........just a dream. A true classic!

• 

  nice - 2004 Jaguar XK-Series
  By derekc214 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  it handles great it looks great i just put some good stuff into ot like some nice rims new seats and tires i top out at 170mph.