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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  Wow and more WOW - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Sexy Cat - May 5 - 2:26 pm

  This is one of the funnest and most sexy cars to drive I just fell in love. I was choosing between this and a Mazda 6 and hands down I am so happy I chose this car. It just makes ya feel like you are better than you really are and that is something you cant put a price on. I get out and just stare at it and have tripped on things from not watching where I am going. If you are EVER lucky enough to buy 1 DO IT!

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  The best car I have ever owned - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Marc Didier - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Jag, I started with a 89 XJ6, a 99 XJR and now the 04 XJR. I have always been pleased with Jags and have never had any problems in the past. The 04 is beyond superb from its power to its class and comfort. At high speeds it just glides, what a pick up in acceleration. The technology that comprises this car is just amazing, it has a leveling suspension, drives itself with the cruise, heated steering wheel etc.. I ordered mine with every option possible, wow, I feel spoiled. Ive had everything from Rolls, BMW, Mercedez, Audi, Lotus, Cadillac etc.. this is by far the best. Thanks Jag for a fabulous car.

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  Jaguar S 2001 - 2001 Jaguar S-Type
  By Bob O - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic looking car. Do not have a single complaint. Most comfortable ride of any car I have ever owned. Climate control and sound system are excellent. No mechanical problems of any kind so far.

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  Second VDP - 2006 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Michelle - May 2 - 1:53 am

  This is my second Vanden Plas! I bought the 2004 in 2003 when they first came out with the aluminum body style. I knew it would be hard to replace. I test drove some Mercedes S class vehicles which had a lot of nice technology and fun features, but parked next to my 2004 Jaguar, the 2007 S550 exterior styling just didnt have any of the sexy lines like the Jaguar. Just picked up my Midnight 2006 VDP with all the options. Compared to my old silver one - people (especially guys) really stare. The black with tinted windows and chrome wheels is very sharp!

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  Love my Jag - 2005 Jaguar S-Type
  By Scott - April 30 - 1:16 am

  I love this car, however I have had one problem which the dealer fixed which was the electronic parking brake module went bad. Other than that its rides great and I have had it in the snow once (7inches) and the car performed on snow covered roads very well.

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  Elegant & slylish , excellant value. - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By N.Kahn - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Could not find a AWD in luxury class for such a good value, that too in the pride of owning a Jaguar ! Excellent attention & service provided by Ray Catena. Interior is gorgeous & exterior is stylish. Pleasure to drive !

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  A Dream comes True - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By crhjag - April 17 - 10:00 am

  All that I dreamed it could be and more. Ive driven 2500 miles and have enjoyed every one. It seems to enjoy cruising at about 95mph best but has pleanty of power still in reserve. It attracts attention wherever it is and pleanty of comments from even people I never met before. I remember the feeling I had seeing it in the showroom the day I picked it up and still get that same feeling as I approach it in a parking lot. I have owned many makes of automobiles and driven even more, but the XJR not only has no equals, but none even come close in driving pleasure, or joy of ownership.

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  My Cat - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By Tami Herman - April 15 - 11:40 am

  This car has provided not only a fun driving experience but also an elevated sense of self esteem. Its been reliable for this Northeasterner and outpaced our Volvo Cross Country in severe weather conditions.

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  Luxury, Performance, Beauty, Value - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By David T. - April 13 - 2:43 am

  Ive compared specs with small-block MBs, BMWs, Audis, VWs. The XJ VDP is the roomiest, best ride, highest hp/ton of them all and the best compromise between comfort and sport in the luxury vehicles. Its so quiet and comfortable, yet I can drive it aggressively whenever I need to or want. Rear knee room is huge cause the wheelbase is longer than even a Bentley! The riv-bonded aluminum frame is state-of-the-art, so my VDP weighs only about 200 lbs more than my 2000 Firebird. Imagine that! A limo that responds like a sports sedan. My wife loves this car for the comfort and big back seat. All this for much less than the others. This Jag is a very fine automobile.

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  Jaguar x-type initial thoughts - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By DAC17 - April 1 - 8:00 am

  Had the car for about a month. No problems with it. Had at least 10 people (unasked) tell me how much they loved the looks of the car. The interior is typical Brit; gorgeous and aromatic! Great lease deals going on; interest rates about 1.6%, and good discounts. Early reviews in Edmunds probably didnt help residuals (not that Jags are very good residual-wise anyway)