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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  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.

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  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!

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  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.

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  auto review - 2002 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By norm chait - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with the car and the service that goes along with the car from the authorized dealer.

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  Best Entry Lux around - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By RJP81101 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Just traded in my 2.5 for the 3.0. The 2.5 was fine, but I wanted more power and speed. The 3.0 has plenty. Also, the X-Type in general is the best handling car on the road. During a very snowy winter this past year, I did not lose traction at all. It is also the best looking car on the road, in my biased opinion!

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  Made me buy an XJ8 also! - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By cali34652 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The lines of this car make my heart palpitate, and the Phoenix red makes it one of the sexiest sedans on the road. Took a demo home for the weekend, went out to dinner that evening, as we waited to be seated everyone in the restaurant was talking about the bright red Jag in the parking lot. Two weeks later I picked up my "arrest me red" kitty. I have yet to have a problem with the X! Now for the bad, Jag service is abysmal. I own two Jags, have had problems with my 2000 XJ8, if you have a problem, expect to get to KNOW your service advisor.

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  Didnt see this one coming - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Dawn - April 23 - 4:10 pm

  What can I say; buy the car on a Monday and have over $3,000 in repairs before the weekend. The bleeding doesnt stop there. Make the monthly payment and triple that for repairs. Has been that way for over a year now. Been paying $9 per lug nut, $1000 for a starter w/o installation, just lose the key, or have the hood ornament taken. The leather fades in color, the sun roof sticks, and the car only starts when it feels like it. Doesnt drive well at all in any amount of snow. It stays at home, it wont move! My dream is my worst nightmare. Anyone can afford to buy a Jag, but not many can afford to keep one. The parts are dealer only, no aftermarket, and are about 400% more. Sad!

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  Terrible Car - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Hulloimadam - April 23 - 2:26 am

  We bought this car a while ago for around 56K... We sold it for 12k. The worst car every owned by far. Dont get me wrong its beautiful but other than that it stinks. We now have a mercedes s class thats 837264517635 times better than this car. Lets face it... THE BRITISH CANNOT MAKE CARS!!! Oh! and we had a whopping five trannys in it and it spews blue smoke!!!

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  Jerrys Jag SR - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By JEROME GATES - April 17 - 2:00 am

  First Jaguar after many Mercedes Benz. Fun to drive Fun to sit in distinctive Moderate gas consumption

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  Mid-Life Crisis Muscle Car - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By M Bathurst - April 16 - 12:30 pm

  I have driven a Porsche 911 SC Targo foralmost 20 years. Decided it was time to grow up. Love the S Type R. Plan was to drive it for a couple of years, thengo back to a Porsche. Probably, wonthappen. Class, style, comfort and catquick. The muscle car you wanted in the60s with luxury. Fuel consumption on the open road is very good, considering the engine. In town, I only have my right foot to blame. Although, a heavy car, it handles like it is on a rail. I have not had the car long enough to discuss reliabilty. I completely enjoy the car; and, have a teenage son that is drooling about the chance to drive it (there is a chance - a fat one).