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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  Jaguar Excellence - 2003 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By James - August 13 - 7:03 am

  This is the 7th jaguar I have owned, all have been great cars. This one the XJ8 seems to be the best to date, all round flexibility in comfort in town and highway. I do not think anyone could overdrive this car, it sticks like glue and goes where you point it. it never fails to get comments on its looks, It truly is in a class of its own.

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  Its a real Jaguar! - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By C.B. Hoffman - August 9 - 10:00 am

  For those who have dreamed about owning a Jaguar but found it out their reach, the 2.5L x -type is the right place to start. I found road handling excellent, and the car responds well, both on curves and on the straightaway. The AWD is really good in the snow. The five speed transmission handles well, but drivers should remember that the clutch-gas-clutch-gas syndrome in heavy traffic takes some getting used to. But the best thing about the Jaguar is what is what has been its trademark since the beginning: Its beautiful. Mine is British racing green, and people actually stop and stare at the car, both in traffic and when its parked.

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  SEXY BEAST - 2002 Jaguar XK-Series
  By Jungle Jim - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful, powerful auto. Turns heads everywhere. Great leather & walnut inside, but cheap plastic controls just below that gorgeous wood. Sound system should be better. Rocket-like acceleration. Superb handling. 20 mpg on highway.

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  Car as art ... - 2002 Jaguar S-Type
  By mozart - August 3 - 11:33 pm

  Beautiful 2001 4.0 bought at the end of the last model year. Fuel economy is good for engine size/car weight. Outstanding vehicle in every respect, especially "head-turning quotient" orignated by Warren Brown. (His summary of the S-Type: smooth, powerful, stylish -- its car as art.) Hard to understand previous customers so-so numerical review in light of his/her verbal praise. See to believe...

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  Amazing vehicle! - 2002 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By Bob - July 23 - 1:40 pm

  Wife and I found this car in 2006 with only 9600 original miles. I can hardly get her out of it! We have a 2005 Town Car, which rides great, but there is nothing like driving a JAG! What a ride!

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  Outstanding car - 2005 Jaguar S-Type
  By SGB - July 21 - 5:56 pm

  I have been extremely impressed by this car (2005 Jaguar S with 4.2 L engine). Beautiful styling inside and out, extremely stable on the road in all kinds of weather including ice and snow, tremendous handling, great acceleration, ergonomically efficient, good gas mileage, great safety features. The seats are firm but comfortable.The dials are easy to read, except in very strong sunlight. I had a 2003 S type before which had problems with the electrical system and noises from the steering column. This 2005 car has been perfect.

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  Better than led to believe - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Jag person - July 15 - 8:03 am

  After reading the negative on-line reviews from professionals, I held my breath after buying my Jaguar. Perhaps because of low expectations, I was and continue to be delighted by my driving and ownership experience. Im not sure who reviewers think is driving BMWs and Audis and Mercedes, but the average driver is going to get plenty of performance from an X-type. I am a driving enthusiast who drives cars hard. If I had any more speed or handling than my Jag provides, I would probably have a fistful of speeding tickets. I sincerely doubt that drivers of the other sports sedans use the difference in performance that I will admit is probably there. And as for cachet, just try to beat a Jaguar!

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  Jaguar x-type wagon - 2006 Jaguar X-Type
  By Kate Maanning - June 25 - 2:46 pm

  This is my third Jaguar; an S-type and an XJ8 preceded the wagon. My husband was concerned about this car being too small...we were off on a road trip to AZ and New Mex. and had everything from golf clubs to a loom for weaving to a large painting plus all of our bags etc....it all fit like a perfect puzzle. Mileage was great and it drives like a little sportscar..... GREAT FUN !!! Didnt fare too well with a collision with a deer (I stopped; she didnt) but that was fixable. We LOVE this car. Thanks for building it.

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  GREAT - 2002 Jaguar XK-Series
  By katherine )& - June 18 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the most cofortable cars i have ever drove

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  JAg 2003 XJ8 - 2003 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By denden3 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  One of the finest riding vehicles I have ever driven and owned.