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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  Best Entry Lux around - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By RJP81101 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Just traded in my 2.5 for the 3.0. The 2.5 was fine, but I wanted more power and speed. The 3.0 has plenty. Also, the X-Type in general is the best handling car on the road. During a very snowy winter this past year, I did not lose traction at all. It is also the best looking car on the road, in my biased opinion!

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  Made me buy an XJ8 also! - 2003 Jaguar X-Type
  By cali34652 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The lines of this car make my heart palpitate, and the Phoenix red makes it one of the sexiest sedans on the road. Took a demo home for the weekend, went out to dinner that evening, as we waited to be seated everyone in the restaurant was talking about the bright red Jag in the parking lot. Two weeks later I picked up my "arrest me red" kitty. I have yet to have a problem with the X! Now for the bad, Jag service is abysmal. I own two Jags, have had problems with my 2000 XJ8, if you have a problem, expect to get to KNOW your service advisor.

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  Jerrys Jag SR - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By JEROME GATES - April 17 - 2:00 am

  First Jaguar after many Mercedes Benz. Fun to drive Fun to sit in distinctive Moderate gas consumption

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  Mid-Life Crisis Muscle Car - 2003 Jaguar S-Type
  By M Bathurst - April 16 - 12:30 pm

  I have driven a Porsche 911 SC Targo foralmost 20 years. Decided it was time to grow up. Love the S Type R. Plan was to drive it for a couple of years, thengo back to a Porsche. Probably, wonthappen. Class, style, comfort and catquick. The muscle car you wanted in the60s with luxury. Fuel consumption on the open road is very good, considering the engine. In town, I only have my right foot to blame. Although, a heavy car, it handles like it is on a rail. I have not had the car long enough to discuss reliabilty. I completely enjoy the car; and, have a teenage son that is drooling about the chance to drive it (there is a chance - a fat one).

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  We love our Jag - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By Al in NC - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Nicest car we have ever owned. Dealer is great. Love the power and handling of the 3 liter, 5 speed. Seats very comfortable (I have lower back problems and can ride long periods in comfort). Ours is Phoenix red- get lots of looks and compliments. Test drove BMW 3 and 5 series, Volvo s60 and Jag was best. Exterior and interior are beatiful. Birds eye maple dash, sunroof and stereo controls on steering wheel are great. Love to see occasional poor reviews-keep this jewel a secret and not see a Jag at every light-like a BMW.

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  Love my X-Type. - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By X-Type Owner - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful paint job. Fantastic steering. Great gearbox. The all-wheel drive system is fabulous - goes like hell in the rain and snow.

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  GREAT - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By best car ive driven - April 10 - 2:00 am

  i absolutely love my new jag. its got everything i want in a luxury car. I had a BMW 5 series but i bought it for over $45,000. This jag was only $35,000 and its got so much more.

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  Love the Leaper! - 2006 Jaguar X-Type
  By Kevin Kiper - April 8 - 10:16 pm

  Unbelievable car. Found it new at the dealer. Its been even better than I expected. Makes even driving around the block fun. And, the car is a total head turner. Very distinctive when compared to all the BMWs, Mercedes and Lexi on the road. I get tons of compliments on the car.

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  Still Runs Like a Dream - 2007 Jaguar XK-Series
  By KLefty - April 4 - 5:16 am

  In my third year of driving the restyled XK. I am amazed that I have yet to have ANY even minor issue with this car. I hesitated to buy a Jaguar because of the old reputation as unreliable. The performance and styling wowed me and I just had to have one. Bravo, Jaguar on the maintenance reliability!

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  Absolutely the best mid-sized car! - 2005 Jaguar S-Type
  By William J. - March 31 - 10:00 am

  The 2005 Jaguar S-Type is unbelievable. It has improved cosmetically a lot, except for the rear. The rear is beginning to look like a ford, not attracting. The interior is what I have to brag about. The new wood styling, piping on the seats, many new standard options, rack and pinion steering which makes a tight sport feel to driving, and so much more (VDP edition)!! This car makes you really feel like a million bucks, as a Jaguar should. I get an adrenaline rush just sitting in it with my hands on the wood steering wheel. The driving is so fun it makes me want to take a 10-hour road trip! The navigation is a great add on, really fun and convenient