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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  Why bad reviews? - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By David - April 13 - 7:43 pm

  I do not understand why Edmunds rates this car down, I nearly did not buy it in 04 because of that and it has been a terrific car! It handles wonderful in all types of road conditions, it has great pep and I always get 26+mph, if I slow down to speed limit of 5 above it goes up to 27+. Even after 5 years people still admire it and make comments. I always trade by 4 years but I cant find anything I like better. The only criticism I have is premium gas requirement. The ride is a bit stiff but the handling more than makes up for it. Listen to the owners Edmunds, we like this car.

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  Our Toys - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By 1gator - April 10 - 2:00 am

  We have just purchased our second X- Type Jag. Now, my wife and I both drive one. she has the 2003 with the Sport Package. She has put 22,000 care free fun miles onit. I just took delivery of a 2004 for 3.0 with the Sprot Package and this time navigation. Sorry we did not get it the first time.

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  Kitty Corners - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Chief - April 8 - 2:26 pm

  I found a steal on a 2004 2.5 X-type with only 21k mileage. I couldnt resist at the under 10k price despite their maintenance reputation. I was shocked at how well it handles and with the 5 speed and 200 horses it can be driven like the cat it is. Im sure the 3.0 or the 430 horse versions are nice improvements. Being in the NW I appreciate the AWD in the snow but the torquey nature of the car will set you sliding if youre not careful. Not an Outback for sure but it looks hotter!

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  X-Type Well Made - 2006 Jaguar X-Type
  By Ariana - April 5 - 2:00 am

  My experience has so far been good with many compliments when other drivers drive my car.

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  A Great Car - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Don - April 3 - 12:13 pm

  Outstanding car with excellent mileage, over 30 at 70 mph. Looks great and drives even better

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  Fantastic - 2005 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Jagman - April 3 - 5:53 am

  Swapped my 2002 XKR for this 2005 XKR. Definite upgrade & improvement. Since both cars were black, most dont realize it is not the same car. However, the increased horse power and extra gear (6th) give a different driving experience and improved performance over the previous model. This car can be driven all day and averages close to 20 mpg, not that I care, but it is impressive. Best car I have ever owned.

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  Jaguar XKR R Perfornance Package - 2004 Jaguar XK-Series
  By David Foster - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This platinum exterior and charcoal interior vehicle is equiped with the R Performance package which includes 20 inch Detroit 2 piece wheels, cross drilled Brembo brakes, sits 2 inches lower and provides significant performance improvement over the standard XKR. Interior is Recaro seating with brushed chrome, wood and leather. Includes Momo leather steering wheel and shift knob.

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  I hate my car. Its now a mid size Ford - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By BB1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had 3 Vanden Plas and loved them. Ford has turned a beautiful Jaguar into a Bobbed Cat. They took all the extras out and put in stuff you see on most every cheep car. No back seatleg room at all, small doors, bad visibility hard to read middle panel. Looks like everything else on the road. What more dont you want in an expensive car? Please take mine.

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  Wife Loves Her X-Type! - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Jagman 2 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Well performance car handles excellent in the snow. Its a fun car to drive and handles great! Very impressed the first time I got behind the wheel for a test drive. A very solid car for a small vehicle handles like its a much heavier car.

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  Great Car - 2005 Jaguar X-Type
  By Meyer - April 1 - 1:20 pm

  This is a great car. You must get used to the small size, but it is easy to handle. Has a small gas tank so you fill up more often. Jag pays for some of the oil changes, up to 40,000 miles.