Vlad King, 39, took the Kia Sportage from a driveway in Colne Engaine on January 6.
On March 5, Chelmsford Crown Court heard the victim was woken to a beeping sound and realised the vehicle was being driven away from the property at about 1.30am.
Kellina Gannon, prosecuting, said the woman instantly reported the theft of her vehicle to the police.
Thanks to a tracking device installed in the car, which was bought new four years ago for around £33,000, the journey of the car was followed.
Nearby police officers were informed and reported that a vehicle matching the description had been seen, but with different number plates.
Officers put on their sirens and indicated to King to stop, but he ignored them, starting a high-speed chase towards London.
Miss Gannon said: “He actively avoided the police tactics, drove offroad, almost colliding with another vehicle and ignored red signals.”
Near Braintree, on roads with a maximum speed of 50 mph, King drove at between 80 to 100mph and increased his speed to almost 120mph on the A120.
He was stopped in Petrol Way, London, where he crashed into a metal barrier after trying to ram the police car chasing him.
The court heard that he was tasered and arrested in a nearby garden, and officers found screws, a screwdriver and a black mask on him.
Miss Gannon read out a victim impact statement, which highlighted the fear the incident had sparked in the victim, who no longer felt safe in her home.
Jack Coyne, mitigating, told the court that the defendant was worried about how a custodial sentence would affect his partner, who is not working and does not speak English, and his seven-month-old daughter.
Judge Jamie Sawyer said: “You could have easily caused death or serious injury. There is no reason as to why you did it.”
King, of Ranelagh Road, was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment for the theft and the dangerous driving when he appeared via video link at court last Wednesday.
No separate penalty was imposed for driving without insurance and driving without a valid license, however, a disqualification of 29 months has been imposed, to run concurrent to his imprisonment.
