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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  Dont get stuck with one - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Blown306 - November 20 - 10:03 pm

  Weve had our X-Type 3.0 Sport for about three years and it has been one of the sorriest cars we ever bought. In 60k miles, the car is on its fourth set of tires, fifth set of defrost vents, second set of visors and 3 three rims have been replaced, one because it had to be chiseled off (stuck $14/ea lug nuts caused it). It leaks oil, makes tons of various noises and gets horrible mileage. It can take off and turn good in the snow, but forget about stopping. 30 days after a $200 alignment from Jag and new tires on the front, the wear indicators on the inner edges are gone! Look at something out of Germany instead... trading this in on a Jetta diesel.

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  2001 Jag XJR - 2001 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Panzzax - November 9 - 8:20 pm

  Some electrical probs also with engine mgmt system.

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  I traded a 911 Cab for this - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Bonitabum - November 6 - 6:16 am

  After struggling with a 911 Carerra 6 speed in S. Florida traffic for 3 months, I called it quits and traded the Porsche for the XJR. At first I was leary, of Jaguar and sedans. After 1 hr in the XJR I knew I had found the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and the prettiest vehicle on the road. I Love It!

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  Breathtaking Automobile - 2003 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By M. Montecelli - October 26 - 10:46 am

  It is beuatiful, fast, and sexy. When I am cruising down the freeway (once at 260km/h), just smoothly gliding along, listening to that cat purr, I feel like a billion bucks. It is fairly practical, maybe not such as an S- class, but still not bad. But the pure thought of knowing that I am in such respected, hand-built piece of art that rides on four wheels, it does not even compare to a Benz. I can drive my Jag everyday, take it on weekend vacations, and look absolutely pimp compared to everyone else on the road. FABULOUS CAR! PS Buy one, its worth it!

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  Powerful but refined - 2002 Jaguar XK-Series
  By G Pinsky - October 25 - 11:50 pm

  My car is bright red with black leather interior and it is stunning. There is not a more beautiful vehicle on the road. I wanted a fine luxury convertible for weekend driving with room for 2 suitcases or sets of golf clubs. There are only a few vehicles in this class but the others are set up for racing and I wanted a smoother ride. The XKR has the power and performance in a league with the 500 SL Mercedes and the Porsche but the ride and features of a fine luxury car. It is perfect the perfect mix for me.

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  Naughty..but Very Nice - 2004 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Algi - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought it for the looks and just plain concours elegance. I did have some repairs that I thought were not in standing with the cars great looks and new reputation under Ford. However, take the top down and DRIVE IT !! It handles well enough for what it is...an elegant automobile with looks to kill. It is NOT a Hot Rod, (if you want that get a Mercedes 500 SL) Overall, a true Modern Classic that I intend to keep forever...

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  The Cat Came Back - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By Frank Patti - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I have loved the Jaguar since the mid-1960s when the XKE convertible was first introduced into my auto-awareness. Anyway, tales of over heating and over dependence on mechanics kept me from owning one of these beautiful cars. Then, FORD "purchased" Jaguar, and the folk lore contended that now Jag was just a ford with a hood ornament. Finally, I drove one. OMG What an incredible car this S Type, V8 dream car has become. This is the best car Ive ever ownded. Thank the maker ... Jag got it right. Thanks FORD for investing in this 100% British manufactured dream car. THE CAT CAME BACK ;0)

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  better tnan a bimmer - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By BRINK - October 24 - 10:00 am

  best car i ever owned. my last car was a bmw 5-series the jag is better in almost everyway

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  Still Lovin it - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By Norma - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my S-Type for 3 years and it still looks and drives like the day I drove it home from the showroom!! My friends always comment on the smooth ride, its like floating along. Love it, love it, love it!!

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  With jags like this we all should get 1! - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By xjag4me - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Buying the jag was the easiest buying experience ever for a car: no stress, no sales pushes, no trouble. Dealer bent backward for me. Others claim the 2.5 doesnt have enough power - it has plenty of power for most people. I love seeing the jaguar statue riding atop the hood in front. Fittings and finish are clean and flush. Gives an appearance of a more expensive jaguar. Although this is a 2003 it has a bunch of stuff not shown on 2003s. Even have cup holders front and rear. Drive is smooth and the seats so comfortable it could be an easy chair. Acceleration is smooth.