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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  X-Type Unreliable - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Kelley - September 25 - 4:26 pm

  From the time that I purchased this vehicle, it spent more time in the shop then I spent driving the vehicle. Unfortunately, I decided to purchase this vehicle instead of lease. The car has very little residual value now at 55,000 miles and I have had to put over $3000 into the vehicle in the last two months because of the poor quality of this vehicle. The vehicle is pretty to look at and yes it will turn heads, however, it has been a complete waste of money for me. I am a professional and do not have time to waste getting a vehicle repaired constantly.

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  I love this CAT - 2001 Jaguar S-Type
  By Adam - September 22 - 11:26 pm

  I recently traded in my 2000 S-Type 4.0 to get an 01 3.0. Boy am I happy I did. The 00 leaked and had many little things break (the drawer in the dash, window regulator). The 01 feels for solid and is much more quiet. Its smooth and so good looking as well as 7 mpg better on gas. I miss the power and the growl from the V8, but I feel much better in this one. The only thing I have a problem with is its inability to not fish tail when taking turns in the rain, no matter the speed I am going. Here in Florida, the roads get slick. I have never had this problem with a Lexus, thats why I am a little shocked. I LOVE this car, I love the style, I love everything. And its cheap to buy used.

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  Singing in the Rain with my Top down! - 2003 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Simone - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This car has changed my life,liturally! I no longer stress in traffic jams, I have the convertible top up or down with ONE touch of a button,I feel safe and it almost drives itself. Their are features to let you know how far you are behind and in front of and obstacle with a ring of a ascending bell. My trunk is HUGE, holds 2 sets of golf clubs and ALL the Holiday Shopping I can do in one day! I look forward to going to the store a quick errand. When I drive I am wrapped in Performance and Luxury.

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  owned it - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By ge1024 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  4.0 liter is best, handling and ride super, careful driving and the mileage was 23! Very reliable, great breaks

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  3 time owner - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Vivian Whitehead - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This is our third Jaq. and it is by far the best.

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  jaguar x type - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By william w. kelly - September 22 - 2:00 am

  having previously owned a xj we wanted a smaller car for my wife for in town driving in charleton, s.c. we are thrilled with this jaguar with a great lease. we knew it would not be large like the xj, it is just the right size for our in town use. the cars performance and quality is unsurpassed! it is a wonderful small jaguar. we would not own any other car this size. completely satisfied.

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  Best buy, best car - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By vg - September 20 - 2:00 am

  No words to describe just feeling as you drive.....

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  I love the Sssssssss - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By urfune - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I love the luxury, comfort, and exitement of my Jag. I recently sold a 5 series BMW because it was always in the shop! The Jags performance is outstanding even with the V6! Happy, happy, happy....and no costly repairs..yet. :)

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  Sleek Cat - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By hallin - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I am coming off a very positive 10 year experience with my C-class Benz. I purchased a red (Radiance) Xtype 3.0 in the spring of 2004. With the Premium package, the Jag looked and felt better than the Benz. Gas mileage was not as bad as some have reported. Local overall gas mileage is around 22 mpg. With a hefty price increase on the Benz, the cost was favorable. The four year bumper to bumper warranty was an asset also. The new Benz no longer offers the bumper to bumper warranty. I have had friends thank me for allowing them to sit in this vehicle.

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  NICE AWD, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, GET IT - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By RJD - September 10 - 10:00 am

  FOR THE MONEY YOU CAN DO NO BETTER. PEOPLE THINK ITS A 60,000 DOLLAR CAR. ITS NICE AND REASONABLE. INSURANCE WITH 100 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLES IS RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP AT 400/6MONTHS. ITS RATED AS A COMPACT BECAUSE IT GETS SUCH GOOD MILEAGE. YOU WONT REGRET IT. IM A HAPPY CAMPER WITH MINE. ;)