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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  Its Nice Being the New Kid on the Block - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By Meow Mix - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my X-Type 3.0 Sport 2/02 and had problems including driveshaft whining, leaky washers, and "rocking" seats. New vehicles regardless of manufacturer often have minor hiccups within the first couple thousand miles. What it boils down to is your local dealer and their service department. Mine fixed all problems quickly the first time. I would rather be driving a car that is different and in my opinion, more fun, than all those Audis and BMWs out there. Ive ridden in plenty A4s, S4s, A6s and 3 series, and although they are still "fun", the novelty just isnt there. BTW, my friend has burned 2 turbos on his S4 and anothers new A4 3.0 bounces like a pogo stick on the freeway.

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  Jag XK8 Great Drive! - 2001 Jaguar XK-Series
  By sporter - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE this car. Its even better thanI thought it would be! I bought the car because Ive always admired the Jaguar look. I expected that driving the car wouldnt be as great an experience as looking at it. But I was wrong - driving is just as enjoyable! For my money, the Jaguar XK is far and away the best looking (late model) convertible available. For it to be as great to drive (short or long distances) is a bonus that makes the car impossible to beat.

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  New Jag Seems Great (so far) - 2002 Jaguar X-Type
  By JJL635 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this new baby Jag the end of last month. So far, it seems to be quite satisfing. My only complaint is the sloppy transmission. I had a 1998 Jaguar XJ8 (the big 4-door model), and it had the dame tansmission problem. Overlooking that fact however, the car seems to drive and run beautifully. Last night, however, something rather strange occured. When I got in to the car, I wanted to put up the sunroof, and it was going all haywire...The part of the button to move it back wouldnt work, and the up part was all confused, moving back and fourth...today its working fine. Strange. Overall, though, a great effort from Jag.

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  Great Vehicle: - 2003 Jaguar XJ-Series
  By James - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my XJ8 used with about 34,000 miles on it, and have been extremely pleased with the XJ8 all around, performance, ride and drive, comfort and convenience, and have had no major problems with this vehicle whats so ever it still feels as solid and secure as the 1st day I drove it and was sold buy the way it drove period, and now understand what all these owners have in common and why the reviews are always so good on the 2003 XJ8.

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  A great GT - luxury and performance - 2008 Jaguar XK-Series
  By owner1 - May 26 - 9:53 pm

  I have owned 3 porsches and several bmws as well. Had every intention of purchasing m6 until completed test drives. Test drove 911s, m6, and maserati GT in addition to xkr. An absolutely beautiful car inside and out. I thought performed better (felt over engineered) and far better looking vehicle than m6, had much better luxury appointments (like gorgeous suede cabin top interior and superior nav) and much better curb appeal than 911s. While 911s is better handling car, I found the xkr to be quicker. While the maserati gt is an equally if not more elegant car, it didnt come close to xkr on drive performance

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  A Terrific "Cat" and a great buy. - 2004 Jaguar S-Type
  By jzmd1 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  When replacing our 540iA Sport, I learned that a loaded E-500 or 540iA were close in price to the S-Type R (sans nav). Intrigued, I took a test drive and found the Jags overall power, acceleration, steering, handling, braking, luxury and refinement to be significantly superior to either the MB or BMW. I purchased the Jaguar and after some 10,000 trouble-free miles, I can report nothing but satisfaction. To suggest that this car is overpriced considering the competition is absurd. It leaves all manner of 540s, E-500s, etc. in its dust; while not in the same performance league as the new E-55, RS-6 or M5, these cars cost some 20K more.

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  it needs a little work - 2004 Jaguar X-Type
  By billgerry - May 18 - 12:30 pm

  The X is a truly fabulous car to drive. It handles curves like a champ, and at 120 mph, it still has power to spare. It was annoying to have the transmission replaced at 20k - with 5 others in the shop ahead of mine. Cheap plastic items, like gas cap covers break easily, and a number of electronic problems, like sunroof controls, keep cropping up, requiring the inconvenience of shop visits.

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  X Type positive - 2007 Jaguar X-Type
  By fongo - May 16 - 8:36 pm

  Driving this car down the highway makes by blood type go X positive all the way! I just picked it up a few weeks ago and I love it. Very smooth riding & superb luxury. Great power & mileage. Its AWD makes the car hug the road and makes you feel safe.

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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.