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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  XJ8 - 2001 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By HJF 2 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I leased my car, knowing I would purchase after 2 years. The car looks great and rides perfect. It uses a great deal of oil. (1 qt every 800 miles) The dealer says it is normal.The mechanis say the xj8 engine has serious problems with the breather system. Engines are being replaced in the XK S (an option) as well as XJ8.I decided not to keep it, my independant mechanic said dont buy it, it will get worse. I am very disappointed with Jaguar, I still like the car, not the engine.

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  Drives like a jet fighter - 2000 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By phdunn - November 28 - 8:36 am

  Great smooth acceleration, some wind noise, comfortable ride. Corners very well with little sway. Good gas mileage (18-19 in city & 26 on Interstate). Very good controls and within easy reach. Car not for large people, OK if you are tall. Great leg room in front and sufficient in rear. Limited cup holders, only 1 set in front. Tables in back of front seat are high. Plush wool floor mats. After purchasing, drove 600 miles without a hitch. This is the closest to having a sedan that drives like a sports car.

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  $60,000. Hunk o JUNK - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By anyjoe - November 23 - 1:16 am

  I have owned about 15 cars since I was 16 years old. The Jaguar was purchased new for $60k. It needed internal engine work @ 8K mi, 12K, 20K and 50Kmi. When I got it home from the last engine overhaul ($1800) the radiator started leaking. After that the transmission staarted downshifting on the freeway. At 60,000 mi I had to dump it. It was a VERY expensive mistake. DO NOT BUY ONE.

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  Anybody ever heard of The Jaguar? - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Peaches - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 3 Mercedes, the last,a 2000 S430, and thought that I was driving the best until I saw the Jag commercial and went and drove one. The 2004 XJ8 rides smoother, quieter, peppier, and handles better on the road than my Benz ever did. We just returned on a 1000 mile trip and enjoyed every mile of it. This Jag is a winner

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  the bet xjr ive owned yet - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By black r - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Be ia log time Jguar ownerwith the last be XJRs, there is NO question that this automobile rate vert high marks - A wonderfu drivers car. Eash yime hat I get into it the thrill is the same as the first test drive - "I LOVE THIS R!" Performance, weight to power ratio, handleing all are top notch...

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  Jaguar X-Type - 2007 Jaguar X-Type
  By Adam - November 15 - 11:16 pm

  I bought it thinking I may become a Jaguar fan. I think it was the worst financial mistake I have ever made. Engine died at 2000 miles!! I am on my THIRD transmission and FOURTH set of lightbulbs in my headlights and on my THIRD set of tires. This is only after 12000 miles. I am finally going to trade it in for a BMW, a car that will acually last. I have been to the dealer so many times I know the employees on a first name basis, I think I have put more miles on my Kia Rio than I have put on my Jaguar. STAY AWAY!!! FAR AWAY

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  Well it is early, but what a deal - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By ukxpat - November 12 - 10:39 am

  Okay, I was looking for AWD for the snow conditions we live in. Subaru, Honda, 100k miles 15 grand plus. I found a 2002 Jaguar AWD with 29k miles! 10 year old car looks brand new! Amazing 1/2 the price of them japanese cars! I drove it home on the curvey mtn roads and that auto/manual tranny, I never had to use the breaks! Got about 25 mpg fwy, and 19 mountain roads. I never expected to get an older vehicle that is like new!!!

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  Not a main stream car - 2005 Jaguar S-Type
  By Joe R - November 12 - 2:20 am

  I love the S type Jaguar. It reminds me of the old Jaguar coupes. I really like that no other car looks like it. This is the 2nd S-type I have owned. The body style is distinctive, the interior elegant, and the handling is terrific. This car is fun to drive!

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  my xkr - 2004 Jaguar XK-Series
  By nsxman - November 11 - 10:00 am

  It is fast, smooth, and comfortable. Sure footed and a dream to drive. The styling is tsteful and timeless.

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  2005 XJ8 - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Chris - November 7 - 1:30 pm

  I have owned numerous luxury sedans (including other Jaguars), and this one certainly ranks near the top. It is "tight," quiet and responsive. The ride is smooth, although not "floaty." The interior is comfortable, and the seats conform well to my body. Having a rather long daily commute, I have already clocked approximately 12,000 miles. The only repair that I have had thus far was due to loose trim in the trunk.