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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  Jag X type 3.0 - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By scotts954 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  overall best car I have every bought.

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  Excellent - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By tdk - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is superior to all others tested in the $30-40k range: Acura TL/CL: Minuses - head room, front wheel drive, sound system, whiny engine, suspension dampening. 3 series BMW: Minuses - Inferior sound system, cabin size-especially width. Jaguar much more car for the money. Volvo: Nice for additional$10k. The X-Series Jaguar is an almost perfect combination of sports/luxury sedan.

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  RRW Jaguar - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By Ron Williams - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Since purchasing my Jaguar, I have had some improvement install on it that makes my Jaguar take notice. Other word, it is the only one in the country like it.

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  Black XJR - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Johnny T - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The performance of this car is incredible. It feels like a Porsche on steroids! It rides very smoothly and handles like a dream, withouth being harsh or jumpy. I dont like the ignition key, I keep blowing the horn when putting it away. The interior is finally the right size and I like the fact that they did not go overboard with the electronic gadgets.

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  Very Disappointed - 2001 Jaguar S-Type
  By HT - July 22 - 4:03 pm

  We had hoped that Jaguar had improved its reliability, but apparently not. We bought our S-type with 36,000 miles, and within two months the transmission went out (Jaguar said it needed to be replaced with a rebuilt for $7K; we had it fixed elsewhere for $3.8K, but still, ouch). The windshield washer pump also failed ($500), a rattle in the dash has cropped up, the AM radio cant hold a station (how hard is it to make an AM radio work?), and there is an intermittent warning light just comes on and off randomly. We love the way this car handles and looks, but cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Jaguar 2000 S Type 4.0 - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By jagsRfun - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Very fun to drive. 4.0 version is like a rocket. Lots of power and great handling. There is good road feel while still feeling like a luxury car. Back seat is a little small but usable. Only one small annoyance which is that the glove box vibrates when very cold. The head-turning factor is also great. People assume the car costs much more than it does. Overall, I would buy it again.

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  Why would you want this car? - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By Jgrnaut - July 22 - 2:00 am

  The name Jaguar conjures up images of refined elegance and bold styling. After driving the X-Type, the words Jaguar and “refined elegance” seems to fit together like Shaq in a Mazda Miata. When you sit in the cockpit, you understand why it is priced so cheap (for a Jaguar.) I think there was a shortage of quality leather when the car was built because most of the surroundings were made of plastic, high quality plastic I’m sure, but never the less plastic. Once I stepped on the gas it seemed like I had 4 sumo-wrestlers in the back and a few in the trunk. On the good side, the key is really neat and it has that cool leaping jaguar on the hood.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By Ted Watson - July 21 - 8:13 am

  I purchased this car new in August of 02. The first week set the tone - it went back to the shop for a leaky oil cooler. Since then it has been in the shop 20+ times for a total of months and months. It the last year alone it has stranded me three times. You name it, its had it repaired/replaced - oil leaks (still), new front and rear suspension, radio, gauges replaced, computers, xeon headlights, door panels, cooling hoses, door latches (over and over), rattles,squeaks, etc, etc. My warranty is up in 4K miles, so Im car shopping. However, I will never, ever, buy another Jaguar!!!!!

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  2002 Jag XJ Sport - 2002 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By jp3558 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  2 years ago I bought this car for my wife for her birthday because she has always wanted a Jag. This is just a beautiful vehicle. It does have its quirks but they are far overridden by the cars elegance and luxury. All her local driving is done in her Maxima and long journeys are taken in the Jag. This is a touring car and is designed to be driven on the highway for long distances at cruising speeds(within the law, of course). Jags have had a horrible history with quality control that I believe Ford ironed out when they took over. Neither of us has ever quite driven a vehicle quality and luxury which is why it is probably the best car we ever owned.

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  Jaguar XJ-R 4.2L Supercharge - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Peter_W - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The swift executive. Poise and handling- just as one would expect from an all aluminium rivited body and over 220lb lighter than the X308 4.0L SC.