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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  2001 Jag S type - 2001 Jaguar S-Type
  By Andyman - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I have never had this much fun driving! The exterior gets people to turn and look and I get a lot of thumbs up from other drivers. The drop down to passing gear is a little hesitant but acceleration more than makes up for it. The premium sound system rocks. The rear view mirrior shakes with the volume at 50%. The best part of driving this machine is how it handles on curvey, hilly roads. This car has far exceeded my expectations.

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  Great car, couple issues. - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By Sarah - November 23 - 6:50 pm

  Well I have to say that overall I love the car! However, the second week I had it (it was used 19K on it) the fuel pump went out during rush hour. After the initial nightmare of the towing, all was great with the Jag dealer. It is great looking, love the sunroof and it handles great!!

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  Perhaps second Time a Charm - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By DrJRapp - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my 2d X Type after having the first one collected by the manufacturer last year as a result of a lemon law action. My first comments are, that at about 4K less MSRP than my 2002 X-Type that the car is a much better 36K car than a 40K car. Secondly, fit and finish HAVE improved immeasurably, yet, I believe there is still some need to improve. Thirdly, for some reason the ride and handling are a bit "off" from the 2002 car, especially in the feel of the rear suspension. In fainess, I am comparing my recollection of a car with 10K miles to a car right out of the box in need of break in.

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  Very Pleased So Far - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By kvlou - November 19 - 8:33 pm

  Im coming up on my lease. Ive decided to purchase the vehicle (after receiving a hefty incentive to do so). Ive not experienced many service issues at all. The minor ones I have had (moon roof, parking brake, etc.) were all covered by Jaguar. My dealer service experience has been excellent.

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  X-Type Dissapointment - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By Spruceforest - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Good Points: Engine very responsive, great sound system, good visability, excellent handling. Bad Points: Many rattles and squeeks, very loud road and wind noise, breaks are also loud. Overall quality is poor, especially for a car costing over $40k. This was an impulse purchase. I did a lot of research and I was intending on buying an Audi A4 or A6. I regret my decision every day I drive to work.

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  The most fun you can get in a car - 2007 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Claudia - November 18 - 3:26 pm

  I absolutely love my XK convertible! I truly underestimated the fun factor of having a convertible that the top goes up or down in 18 seconds... so fast you can put it down at a light. In Alabama where I live, I get 10 mos of top down weather. It is also a head turner... looking like nothing else on the street (except now its new sister the XF sedan). It is great for a road trip... its very adjustable seating lends itself to comfortable driving. Ive leased this vehicle, but will most likely buy it at the end of the term. Drive it, youll fall in love!

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  Magnificent Jag - 2007 Jaguar XK-Series
  By MrJaguar - November 17 - 7:30 am

  Most stunning, attention-getting car on the road. Clean, sleek and simple exteior. Looks and drives fast. All around handling is incredible. Really holds the road on turns, great suspension, silky smooth transmission and awesome brakes. Comfortable, luxurious interior, great quality throughout and easy- to-use, uncluttered instrument panel. Makes some of its competitors look like little old lady cars. In fact, a friend who recently saw my Jag (an indigo blue coupe) was almost ashamed to admit he owned the BMW 650i.

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  Great car for the money - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By tarrid - November 16 - 8:54 am

  Well !!!!! as with every car we review, we will find owners that hate and owners that love ther rides. My Jag is by no means perfect ( NO CAR IS ) but for a car under $5000 Look at what you get. Luxury!!!!!. Do your own oil changes. Your own break job. And if you cant. DONT take it to a dealership. Find a good indi shop. Buy your parts on e-bay. It will cost you just as much to repair as a Ford. (preventative maintanance) is what it is about. You will have a very reliable car with the Jaguar.

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  Save your money - 2001 Jaguar S-Type
  By miKE - November 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive always had Luxury cars. This one drives me nuts. Have 24000 miles, and it is at the dealers everyh month. Had 4 radios installed. Still every time I hit a bump it jumps from FM to AM or my CD. Passenger door remote works 1/2/ the time. Air conditionere blew out, took 8 days to get parts. Low inventory at dealers for any parts. Cant wait to buy an Acura

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  aluminum road going spitfire - 2004 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By georgek - November 15 - 10:00 am

  The "I Love to Walk Up to It, Get In, Drive it Everywhere All the Time And No Longer Rent To Cut Mileage On Frequent Cross-State Trips" factor is overwhelming! It is the Worlds Best Car, for me. It has dramatically ameliorated if not erased my life long "Bently Thing" (the dash especially is that fine --and fun). I took a leap of faith they have, in this ground-up new vehicle, erased the incontrovertable Jag demons; with 12,800 HARD miles in 7 months and nothing of consequence wrong, I believe they have. Its brilliant, tough, fun, luxurious, complex yet intuitive; and blisteringly fast! An Aston Martin with a baby seat next to the rear door!