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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  An experience youÂ’ll never forget! - 2005 Jaguar XK-Series
  By waynemcain - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Just looking at this car makes you feel sleek, stylish, and dangerous. With 400hp under the hood there’s nothing holding you back. The coupe has a much sportier look than the “convertible” that everyone has. When you’re driving the coupe it feels like you’re the only one on the planet that has one and everyone wants to know, “how much was that”, or “where did you get it”. Untouchably the nicest sports car I’ve ever owned, it’ll make you feel like a million bucks. - 07/17/2004 Wayne Cain -

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  super V8 - 2005 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By chauffeurboy - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Wow!!! This beauty pulls like a loco. Glides along like silk knickers on a highly polished bonnet.Comfy seats unlike the old model, feels like a Merc, with great handling and much improved suspension. The Sat Nav is the best Ive used, just tap in the post code and away you go, and it stays with you if you alter your course, unlike others which demand you to U turn. Lovinit so far after 500 miles, and Ive still got my driving licence! Luck I guess!! My only concern is the build quality, the bodywork feels a bit flimsy...a bit like a coke can..well it is made of aluminium! great for performance, but how would hold up in a smash?

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  Awesome styling and performance - 2000 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Pletzman - March 12 - 10:00 am

  There is only one Jaguar experience and the XK8 Convertible is it. Inpired by the XKE design, the XK8 Convertible offers quantum improvements in every mechanical and electrical area as well as superb fit and finish. Timeless British Jaguar styling and road feel give this Euorpean touring sports convertible a permanent place in the pantheon of classic automobiles. So far, I have experienced no mechanical problems. I would be remiss if I did not point out that the XK8 Convertible is also a remarkable babe magnet.

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  Transmision is crap - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By Linda1 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  With age, (i.e. around 50000 mi), the transmission will not come out of park on "any" slope. This is not fixable according to Jaguar and is still being duplicated on the new ones. To us, this means, that it is not econimically fixable without listening to a lot of our grief, or some class action response. Their "answer" is to always remember to put the emerg brake on first, then put in park, then turn off the engine. Their own service person didnt do this on our last oil change. According to their consumer response people, this is a "Typical and common problem".

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  Love My Jag. - 2000 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Ricardo - February 22 - 7:03 am

  I purchased my XJ8 with 38,000 miles on it have driven it 2500 without any problems. I am now having an issue with the drivers side brake light. The passenger side works. I think it may be a ground problem as it works some time. The 4.0 engine is quiet and powerful,really like driving it. It is my 3rd Jag., and I love it.

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  Cats R us - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By Paul d Bowell - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Contrary to a number of professional reviews,I do not find my s-type noisy at high speed and in Europe we drive considerably faster than the USA.The new 4.2 V8 works like a dream and the handling is superb.My only critisism is that there could have been a little more room in the back.

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  Love Hurts - 2000 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By galewood478 - February 13 - 3:00 pm

  I absolutely loved this car, was such a classic. However, I had to get rid of it after 2 transmission failures. It kept cracking drums within the transmission. There has yet to be a car designed that captured the stunning class and sophistication displayed by this Jag. Loved it, and as hard as it was to let her go, it proved impractical to keep fixing it over and over. Ford built it, so that should say something.

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  2001 XK8 - 2001 Jaguar XK-Series
  By mercedes1 - January 5 - 5:03 pm

  I considered models of four cars I have owned in the past. Namely Porsche 993, Mercedes SL500, Corvette and another 993/996. This time I bought an XK8 after due consideration. It had 14,000 miles on it. I probably would not have bought it except that because they depreciate so fast I got one for just over 30K. I am favorably impressed with the car. It combines a gorgeous sports car look with pretty good performance, very good gas mileage (26 mpg hghway), good ride and handling and a lot of creature comforts. Since my wife liked the car at test drive time it was an easy sell for me. No complaints.

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  one of the best - 2005 Jaguar X-Type
  By stu - December 31 - 9:50 pm

  Poor handling??? This thing handles like its on railroad tracks. It tracks straight as an arrow. Slightly hard ride because of the silly 17 inch tires. Best interior materials Ive seen for that price. All in all a winner for a smaller luxury sports sedan. Could use better ergonomics on the dash panel.

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  What could enhance my Jag Appreciation - 2006 Jaguar X-Type
  By Hedy Elefritz - December 26 - 10:43 pm

  I formerly owned an S-Type but drove an X-type as a loaner. Because I needed the security of a bad-weather performer (all-wheel or front wheel drive) I "scaled down" on amenities. I miss automatic seat adjustment, interior space, softer ride but really enjoy the confidence and handling of my VDL. What keeps me from shopping other cars with amenities AND AWD or front wheel is the excellent service and performance with my particular local dealer. If the S-type had better bad weather driving capability, I would return to that vehicle. Or, if the X-type could upgrade, Id be a happy, contented driver.