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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  Traditional Jaguar - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By John F. S. - March 7 - 10:00 am

  All I expected in a Jaguar. Performance and handling - WOW!!. (I have the 4.0 Engine.) I relly enjoy the stiff suspension but this is not to my wifes liking. I have had this car for 2years and have had no problems. Only requires service every 10,000 miles, included in purchase price. I voluntarilly have had a service at 5& 15 at my own expense.

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  Niiiiice Cat !! - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By Ad-man - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This car pleases the driver in every way. From the tight handling to the smooth ride. Interior amenities are superb. (The seats seem pretty firm at first, but they make you love them with a little use) I have a near base 2.5 automatic. First impression is little weak off line until you are serious, then the claws come out! Exterior says JAG in no uncertain terms, and truly grabs attention. Great Car!

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  2004 Jaguar X-Type - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Peter - March 5 - 4:00 pm

  Nicest car I have ever driven, fun to drive (other reviews say underpowered,I say not unless you have to have >200hp to enjoy, and dont mind the coresponding gas guzzling). AWD is excellent, be even better if it was 50/50. Decent mileage, and runs fine on regular gas. Very comfy, except over bumpy roads I drive, stiff like a Subaru Outback, hopefully means suspension will last longer. So far (15K) excellent realiability, Ford engine is way better made than Jags used to be reliability-wise (my 79 X-J6 was a mechanical nightmare). Lastly at $23.3K new for manual/black, it beat Audi price by $10K, cant beat it.

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  A car to Enjoy - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By jagged in rochester - March 5 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car a month. Love it to death...it I could sleep with it I would. The 3.0 liter has buttery smooth acceleration with plenty of passing and get-up-and-go umph. Exterior and interior styling and finish exudes pur class. More room upfront than the audi a4 and more elegant than the Bimmer. AWD (espeicially with Dynamic Stability Control) make like you feel your on rails especially in a torrential downpour...cant wait to try it in winter!!!!

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  Rock Star - 2011 Jaguar XJ
  By 1970L78 - March 3 - 11:30 am

  I must say Jaguar was not on my list of cars to consider. On the insistence of a friend, I begrudgingly agreed to take a quick look. My God is this the purist, most advanced car on the market today! I bought one the next day as I just wanted to review my thoughts. This car is the grandest and liveliest full size sedan the world has yet seen. I drove the Panamera and was almost angry when done. The 750 LI was a heavy driving complicated mess of a design gone wrong (and this car was 1st on my list). I tried so hard to like it. I did not. The Jaguar was breathtaking in both form and function. Everywhere I go, it turns heads. A saw a lady walk into a light pole the other day ogling the car.

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  Great used car value - 2004 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Wifescar - March 1 - 6:53 am

  At 1/3 the new car cost that is like new,30K miles, documentation, extended 6 yr warranty, just had to get it for my wife. Been great, no problems and she looks great in it!! Brembo brake rotors are very expensive so look at them 1st. Car reminds me of the XKE I had 30 years ago. Great used car value!!

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  Glad I didnt take the bad reviews to heart - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By JJMO - February 24 - 8:03 am

  After reading several bad reviews I decided to give it a try, as my Lincoln LS was given bad reviews and I loved it. I have owned this car 1 week and it is great! I do know the transmission takes some getting used to but if you can get used to it, this car is very nice. I loved my LS but let me tell you this car is all its cracked out to be and more! I love it and recommend anyone who really enjoys a luxury sports sedan to give it a try. Yes its not a perfect 10 but its very darn close. My desciption "FUN AND CLASSY"!!! Very nice car and the AWD is just a bonus.

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  2003 needs help - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By Paul - February 20 - 3:33 pm

  Love look of car, always a head turner. Been in shop avg of 1x per month, unacceptable. Tranny slips, especially in turns and when slowing. Would never own unless I had a warranty AND the free rental. 3 recalls since I have owned. Had it not been a great deal on a demo car, I would not have pulled the trigger to purchase. Can sell today for what I paid for it. Will probably sell in a year with warranty left. Dont buy the ivory interior if you have kids. It shows everything and is not the easiest to clean. I have a gold color that hides a lot of dirt, but the brakes dust drives me crazy. To keep wheels looking nice, have to clean EVERY week even though the car is not dirty.

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  Superb. Simply SUPERB!! - 2006 Jaguar S-Type
  By dodger - February 20 - 10:33 am

  My fourth and best Jag. Just fabulous in every respect. No problems after 2+ years and 30,000 miles.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By Jrgdechoudens - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I recently took delivery of this vehicle, and I am content with it. I was looking for a 4wd sedan for less than 30K and this one came on top for the type and options included. The vehicle did come with a lot of options, but with some patience and a great sales individual I managed to get a great deal for it. The ride is whats expected of a European sedan. The steering is precise and the transmission is smooth. Because it is a 2.5 the acceleration is not that strong, but sufficient enough to provide a joyful ride. The finish inside is good, and the chrome accentuates the car perfectly.