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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  Satisfied, but... - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By Papucho - November 10 - 11:20 am

  The only complaint is that the data on the trip computer window is very difficult to read, specially when the sunlight changes. This defect should be corrected with a recall. Recently I drove a 2005 Ford Taurus with a similar trip computer for two weeks in Florida.The readings on its green window were very sharp all the time. I am willing to pay for the correction, if need be.

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  Whoopee! - 2005 Jaguar XK-Series
  By George Stepan - November 8 - 7:46 pm

  A real head turner no matter how old the exterior design may be. Some modest detractions are the ergonomics sometimes requiring you to look away from the road, could be improved, but once learned, no problem. Full leather interior with shiny wood trim spells luxury. This design too is old, but why change a good thing? Exterior metal fit is average. Not impressed with quality of the Alpine sound system given the price of this car. Performance is outstanding, a smooth 6 speed transmission, plenty of get up and go. Unless you set the speed control, youll be going 90 and not know it. Anyone paying 70k probably doesnt care, but I get 27+ mpg on the road. A great touring car!

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  Update On 17K miles Jag XT 3.0With High Speed Vibration Problem - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By tggary - October 31 - 1:42 pm

  Fortunately, the Dealer I bought this car from went the extra mile needed to rectify the problem. Besides new wheels and a few other replaced parts, they provided a second new set of tires, again alligned and balanced of course, and I took the car up to 90 on the highway with zero vibration evident, and a whole new ride overrall. Then when I went through my glove compartment to review the Registration paperwork, I found another envelope with my name on it -- inside was cash equal to my first months paymment. The Dealer carries all highline and next to highline vehicles at bottom line pricing and obviously backs up the customer in regard to the New York State Warranty rules. Contact me at TGGaryVerizon.net if you are interested in knowing more - Good News! The dreaded high speed vibration in the X Type does have a fix. TGGary

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  Wonderfull Auto - 2005 Jaguar S-Type
  By ao145 - October 28 - 12:25 am

  I have owned 3 Jags, 1960 MK ll. 1965 3.8 S, and now a 2005 S Type. The last was purchased off a three year lease , 27K miles in Sept 08.08. Present 63 K miles. Maintenance at 30K 40K by dealer at no charge . Only repair was to a rear disc break $214.00. At 65 MPH . average MPG is 26.1. I have owned or leased 14 autos, German , US and Japanese. This has been a joy to own.

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  A WONDER CAT - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By ronald_gomez2004 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Jaguar always waneted one but never could afford it. I love the styling and the good looks and the AWD is a pleasure. Jaguar has improved their quality and reliability. The comfort and convience is top of the line for a entry level car. I love Jaguar.

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  Cals Review - 2000 Jaguar S-Type
  By cal195 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Great car! This car is awesome to drive and tons of fun. It has a terrific body style. The only problem I have had is getting it out of park at times, and if it sits on even the slightest incline, it becomes very difficult to get out of park. I have been told this is a common problem with this model.

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  surprisingly smooth drive - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By DriveAJag - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I got this X2.5 only a week ago, but I am quite impressed by its handling and the smooth ride. Before this car I leased a BMW 328i(99 model), it was a fine car with nice handling. But the gas mileage sucked and the ride was quite bumpy. The X-type feels much stabler and smoother on the highway. And I like the handling of X-type better. One complain is the space (head room and leg room) should be bigger.

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  Bad purchase - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By J Simmons - October 8 - 4:26 am

  The S type will make a person financially poor there is always a problem fuel system, a/c system. Every time I go in for an oil change there is a new repair problem.You can never get an assistance from the service department there a charge to tell you what is wrong with the car. The car is pretty and that is the only good things I can say. I will not purchase another Jaguar.

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  My Sweet Jag... - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By scooterluv1 - October 6 - 6:48 pm

  Great car! I purchased it used and for the most part, I loved it! I would buy another one and may do so in the near future...

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  More cars should by made this well. - 2006 Jaguar S-Type
  By CrystalG - October 5 - 11:36 pm

  Love this car. It drives with ease. It handles well in wet or dry conditions.