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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  This car is the car to have - 2005 Jaguar XK-Series
  By charlie718 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I just traded in a DRM 400 corvette to get the Jag going from a lifelong super car owner with a manuel trans into a six speed auto gave me some pause well the jag auto in combo with the supercharger leaves no doubt in my mind this is the way to go the car gets looks from every body and when you step on the gas it just takes off like a space shuttle it stays glued onto the road and feels like driving a rolex that goes 180 mph it is so solid quiet and smooth I love this car and will now always have one I will just trade it in every few years

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  Driving a dream - 2005 Jaguar XK-Series
  By midaem - May 15 - 10:00 am

  This is like driving all the spactacular car dreams youve had all your life. It handles like I dont even need to be there. When you are driving the XKR you KNOW there is NO BETTER car on the road. It is the best, and you are in it. Strangers talk to me at red lights and in parking lots, and I know its not because of my red hair on my 50 year old body. Its all about the car. I am the princess I never got to be when I was a girl, I am the Homecoming Queen, but mostly I am the plastic surgeons wife who EARNED this little piece of ultimate luxury.

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  Great Car - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Hawthorne - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car back in March and am completely satisfied with this vehicle. To have a car of this class for the near giveaway price is something to speak of.

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  the beautiful car - 2002 Jaguar S-Type
  By boricuamuneca84 - May 6 - 3:10 am

  Ita a really great car it makes you look and feel good

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  What a fine vehicle is really all about - 2001 Jaguar S-Type
  By cobbius - May 1 - 12:06 pm

  Bought this car used 2 months ago, and have been in automotive bliss ever since! This car oozes class! My wife was reluctant to get it, but, since shes been driving it, now she wants to get a new one when this ones paid for. Did I say that this thing oozes class????

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  This is a nice car - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By jaguarloveit - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I really like my car, it runs very smooth and is easy to drive. Feel very safe on the road

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  Second day thoughts.... - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By john_thomas - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I picked up my car from the dealership last night. This is a beautiful looking car (white exterior, beige leather interior). At first I had a bit of trouble getting the car to go in reverse. The sales manager failed to mention that you have to lift a small ring on the shifter before you put it in reverse. I found that out while reading the manual later that evening. When I drove my daughter to school this morning I was able to back up with no problem at all. Now that I know what Im doing Im very happy with the car. So far it looks and rides like a dream. ...I will update these comments in the weeks ahead as I put miles on this baby....so far so good....

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  Up From X - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By magcity - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Got a great end of the year deal on a platinum S type: Xenons, Sport, Manual, Nav System, Premiun Sound: every option. Traded up from a manual X type (which I loved), but was not as smooth or comfortable as this car. Could it have more roar? Sure, but it handles really well, and it is quick if you drive it right. Very comfortable, beautiful, cozy cabin, very smooth. just wish the tail end had a little more styling pizzaz. You cant go wrong with this car.

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  Larrys review - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By Larryjag - April 25 - 10:00 am

  A totally fun car to drive. After owning Cadillacs since 1987, its nice to own a luxury car that you dont have to take back to the dealership for warranty work. The 3.0L version that I own has plenty of pep to accelerate when I need too. Quality is outstanding. Road noise is minimal, sound system is great.

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  Not like Jaguars of the past - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By Bruce Rogers - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my second S type. I bought a 2002 S type 4.0, liked it so much I put 24000 miles on in 11 months. So I decided to upgrade to the S type R and it is a headturner that is an absolute pleasure to drive. Despite the supercharged power I still get very good fuel economy. Its like driving a Porsche sedan.