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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  SUPER - 2002 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Thomas2 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is perfect. The best car I have ever driven. My dream car.

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  I love my XTYPE Sport - 2005 Jaguar X-Type
  By Kechele27 - October 13 - 10:16 am

  It doesnt get better for the price. It is true that it is heavy and does not corner as well as a BMW or other sport car- but its not meant to. This car is for a comfortable ride, a luxurious ride, and it is the perfect size, has the perfect interior and is truly a headturner on the streets..plus...you dont see many on the road..always a plus- its not your regular civic or camry.

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  Love it. - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Larry - October 10 - 5:33 am

  This is my second Jaguar, having owned a 2000 Vanden Plas, before this one. If they hadnt changed the body style I would still be driving that one. But Im glad they did, the acceleration on this one is great and the gas mileage is over 28 on the highway. Love the new nav system, much better than the old one.

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  Not Allergic to this Cat - 2002 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Impressive Cat - October 7 - 4:06 pm

  Overall very pleased and impressed with this vehicle. As a first-time Jag owner, had not considered a Jag in the past, had previously owned MB, Audi. Have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this vehicle. So far, my ownership experience has been great and has exceeded my expectations!

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  ALL-WHEEL DRIVE JAGUAR ! - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By 1STJAG - October 7 - 2:00 am

  ***** THIS IS THE PERFECT JAGUAR FOR SOMEONE LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST OR SNOW BELTS ***** All Wheel Drive is just awesome. Great control in first few snow storms. 2.5 6 cyl performs pretty much the way it should w/hp. This vehicle is equipped with all premium & sport packages. This loads the JAG right up. No squeeks or rattles. Fit & finish is great. Trunk is usable especially with folding rear seats. Leather heated seats are superb. Automatic transmission shifts smooth. Traction/stability control adds to vehicle alot. I would highly recommend. Great road feel. This JAG performs for the money.

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  This car turns head for sure! - 2011 Jaguar XJ
  By Ralph Alcantar Jr - October 4 - 7:00 pm

  The new design caused me to trade in my LS460/Lexus and change my mind on the purchase of a S500/Mercedes after one test drive. I would have never considered the old Jaguar design. This car attracts so much attention and persuaded me as a younger generation buyer. Fun to drive and handles great.

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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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  The Swayzee Review. - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By scott swayzee - September 27 - 10:00 am

  my wife and I have so far enjoyed the vehicle. There are some things we would like to bring up. Tires are not up to the jaguar standard (in my book) the continetal tires should be replaced with pirellis. Seems to have a lot more road noise than it should, tires might help. We also have had serveral rattles within the interior. It seems to be a little pricey for an entry level car. I have also drove the entry level acura. It seems to offer a little more for the money. It also is a lot more quite on the road than the jag. We do enjoy the level of service once the vehicle goes to the dealer for any type of service. Please look into these metioned items.