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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  Awesome British motoring - 2003 Jaguar XK-Series
  By WL - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Owning one of these Jags is like owning a piece of history. Most people dont realize that the XJ and XK series are still hand assembled over in Conventry. All the leather and woodwork is still done by hand! Only the British can produce something so beautiful. I cant tell you how many people have come up to me on the street to comment on its beauty (can you blame them?) I am very impressed with Jaguars realiability improvements. I dont have to pay for anything for 4 years, not even oil changes! I absolutely love this car and seeing them made in England has made me a fanatic. I would highly recommend a tour in Coventry for all of you Jag lovers.

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  2003 Vanden Plas-beautiful! - 2003 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By WL - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 03 Vanden Plas late last year and its been wonderful. I was lucky to get it because my dealer informed me that production of the Vanden Plas has stopped for a while. I was sad to hear it because I think that the only car that can out shine the beauty of a Vanden Plas is maybe a Rolls Royce. What I couldnt believe is that these Jags are still hand assembled in England (woodwork and all.) I cant tell you how many comments Ive received on my car. Its been wonderful. Classic British luxury at its best.

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  You have to get one - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By Jaguar 2.5 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  The only thing that i will say that takes time to get use to is the brakes, the gas pedal, and the transmission. The brakes take time to get use to because in a way you kinda have to push harder than you think to get stoped where you want to. The gas pedal takes time to get use to because it is very light and touchy, and very responsive. The Transmission takes time to get use to because when you first start driveing when the engine is still cold it seams like the engine is doing alot of shifting, and it you can feel the shifting, but as soon as the engine is warmed up the Jag ride AWSOME!!!!

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  X-Type is "All that AND more" - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By TommyE - September 22 - 7:06 am

  Havent had mine too long but love it completely. It replaces a 18 year old Acura. Gets better mileage (avg. 21 city) is absolutely stunning to look at and turns heads everywhere I go. This isnt just an automobile, its rolling artwork. When I showed it to my friends the most heard thing they say is, "Oh my god, its so beautiful!" This thing feeds my ego quite nicely. I cant image any other car making me happier. I am very very satisfed.

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  Jaguar does it - 2006 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Allain - September 21 - 2:43 pm

  Great car. Great looking and what a joy to drive. Test drove MBZ e350 MBZ s430, AUDI A8, BMW 745 and 5 series-- Nothing could touch the Jag in my opinion. Best Value in a luxury car.

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  Jaguar S-Type R - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By DCastleman - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Incredibly fun car to drive with amazing acceleration and wonderful handling. Carries four comfortably and has the classic Jaguar look. A true luxury automobile with style, power, handling, and class.

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  I love my Jag - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By John - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I have been an owner of Audi A8 and Merc CLS AMG. And I must say they both do their thing very well - separately. My AMG is wickedly fast, the A8 comfortable. But my Jag is the only car so far that does all these things well - in one handsome package. The surprise bonus is the economy; it runs more frugally than my previous A6! The aluminum frame is light and nimble, making this a fun car to drive actually. Its handling is not far off than the AMG, yet its backseats are much more spacious. Awesome!

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  0-60 in 5.4 - 2001 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Peter - September 11 - 1:13 pm

  Bought in Canada and stuck with a speedo calibrated in klicks. Replaced front shocks two years ago. Replacing rear shocks this month. Transient engine shutdown dealer cannot diagnose... goes into failsafe mode. An outstanding car that lives up to all of its hype and more. Would not drive anything else. Performance for a 5,000 lb car is incredible. Pirelli P6 are ok for summer. Must use Blizzak for winter... makes it go like a tank in the snow.

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  Great Car - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By Tiger Tzu - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful styling with quality comfort features

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  Cute, reliable with own personality - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Nicolase - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Appearance and All Wheel Drive makes it so different at a reasonable price. Definetely this car is a standout from the pack. With its looks, Jaguar pedigree and good performance I see the japanese and german competence in a weak position,unless they copy what they see at the X Type. My 2004, X Type 3.0 has shown all of the above during the first 500 miles; in Puerto Rico where the hilly terrain, traffic jams and narrow roads are not polite to large cars.