Overview & Reviews

Lincoln is an automaker with a long history of building upscale vehicles for the American market. A division of Ford, Lincoln differentiates its vehicles through additional luxury features, more powerful engines and unique styling. The automaker's lineup includes cars, pickups and SUVs.

The company was established in 1917 by Henry Leland, an automotive parts manufacturer who had previously founded the Cadillac brand. He named the company after his boyhood hero: the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. Early Lincoln models include the L Series and the K Series. The company quickly hit dire straits, however, and was bought by Ford Motor Company in 1922.

Lincoln had found its niche in the luxury-car segment by the 1930s, riding high with the likes of Cadillac as a purveyor of premium status-mobiles. The 1936 model year saw Lincoln's launch of the popular Zephyr. The car's name and styling were inspired by the sleek lines of the Burlington Zephyr, a diesel-powered express train that boasted record-setting speed. The car was a big hit for Lincoln; at one point, nearly 80 percent of all Lincolns sold were Zephyrs.

The '40s also saw the rise of the glamorous Continental. The vehicle's development was shepherded by Edsel Ford, son of Ford's founder Henry Ford. After World War II, Lincoln maintained its premium status with vehicles like the Mark II and the '60s-era Continentals, which gained fame through their "suicide-style" rear doors and use as U.S. presidential limousines. The Continental Mark III luxury coupe rolled out in 1968 and by the late '60s, more than 1 million Continentals had been built.

The 1970s saw the launch of the Mark IV as well as a new Lincoln, the Versailles. The Versailles was the first midsize sedan from the marque, and right from the start, it missed the mark with the public. The Versailles was based on the Ford Granada platform, and many blamed its failure on its obvious similarity to its less exclusive -- and less expensive -- twin.

In 1981, Lincoln released its now iconic Town Car, the full-size luxury sedan that has since served as the marque's flagship. Though its moniker had been used to designate trim levels in previous years, 1981 was the year in which the Town Car came into existence as an individual model. Lincoln also distinguished itself during these years as the first American car line to offer antilock braking. The Mark series continued to evolve, and shrunk down considerably with the debut of the Mark VI. That velvet-lined cruiser was followed mid-decade by the Mark VII, which was more European in nature and could even be powered by a BMW turbodiesel engine.

The '90s saw the debut of the Mark VIII, which featured a four-cam V8 and air suspension. By this time, sport-utility vehicles had emerged as a segment to be reckoned with, and Lincoln made the most of this trend by launching its very first SUV, the Ford Expedition-based Navigator, for 1998. Bedecked in chrome and fitted with plush leather and luxury features galore, the massive truck was a breakout hit.

The new millennium marked the debut of the Euro-flavored, midsize LS sedan that shared much of its platform with Jaguar's S-Type sedan. More recently, Lincoln has dropped the long-lived Town Car and updated its lineup with the MKS and MKZ sedans as well as the MKX crossover SUV in hopes of attracting a new generation of consumers. Some of its offerings fall short of the competition in areas such as performance and refinement. Still, the marque is a favorite of car buyers seeking a generous dose of all-American luxury.

User Reviews:

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  An expensive pinto - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By hatethiscar1 - October 16 - 9:33 am

  The Lincoln aviator is the worst car ever built. They are dangerous and fall apart after 60,000 miles. Ford is aware of this but is ignoring all complaints and blaming tire tread wear as the cause of all electrical and mechanical problems. Never buy any aviator of any year.

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  2011 MKX Enging Knock - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By cybworld - June 12 - 6:17 pm

  I purchased TWO 2011 Lincoln MKXs at the same time. Day one I had an enging knock in one of them, and nobody seems to care. I set up a web page for this problem. [violative content deleted] This car has a lot of cab noise when traveling down the freeway. The GPS locks up the radio and features when in GPS mode for more than 30 minutes. this vehicle is the worst car I ever purchased.

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  I HATE THIS VEHICLE - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By ihatelincoln - December 9 - 2:40 pm

  Purchased this vehicle used about a year and a half ago. Never really liked it but it was in our price range and had all the amenitied that we required. We owned a Chevy Tahoe prior to this but it did not have a 3rd row seat which is what we needed. Here are the things that I dispise about this car. 1. Even though we have owned this vehicle for over a year still cant get used to the window controls in the center console and the seat controls on the door 2. Even though weve owned this vehicle for over a year still havent gotten used the fact that is doesnt automatically unlock all the doors when you turn it off, I curse this vehicle everyday for this very reason!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Worst car ever - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By MJW - September 4 - 4:32 pm

  I cannot wait until I get rid of this car. It is very uncomfortable. The back seat has such a small amount of leg room, that adults cannot sit comfortably in the back. My babys car seat will barely fit! The hatch back will not lift manually after 15 months. The engine noise is much louder than my old mix. The controls are not very user friendly. The design has become old looking very quickly. Very disappointed in this Lincoln model.

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  Aviator...Worst Car Ever Built - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By hatethiscar1 - April 20 - 9:00 pm

  This is the worst car ever built! Ford used cheap Korean bearings that disintegrate as soon as your car goes out of warranty. Amazing at how well Ford could time this. Nothing but a mechanical, electrical nightmare that has almost killed my family twice. Ford should do the right thing and recall all aviators.

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  I have NEVER been so disappointed in a Ford product or their Customer Service as I am right now! - 2015 Lincoln MKC
  By swim_mom - February 18 - 3:02 pm

  I have only ever owned Ford products and I had to have the New MKC, I bought the 1st on the lot. Lets just say, total disappointment!! My transmission "shattered" in the middle of the highway at 9k miles, all the ABS sensors have been replaced, the emergency brake engages sporadically while I am driving. This vehicle is not safe to drive and has left me in unsafe conditions on several occasions, that is not what I paid $45,000 for. I filed Lemon Law with the BBB so now Lincoln has told me that they can no longer help me or repair my vehicle under the warranty because I had to go and file a complaint with the BBB as my right as a consumer. I have never been treated so poorly in my life!

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  Americans seize to make crappy cars - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Alex667 - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Never again will I buy an American car.

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  Worst Ever - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Worst Ever - January 21 - 3:43 pm

  In 4 months of ownership, my MKX has been in the dealers shop almost half that time for a slipping transmission and other problems. I just got it back after 42 days and its the same as when I took it in. Some of the key fob functions still dont work after 3 attempts to fix them. In the short time it was not in the shop I took it on a 1200 mile trip and in addition to the lousy gas mileage, I had to make frequent stops because of the rock hard seats. Do yourself a favor and dont even consider purchasing one of these.

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  Dont buy a MKC Black Label - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By Debby Marler - August 28 - 4:08 am

  SYNC doesnt work with our iphones, back seat area has NO leg room at all, having all kinds of issues, worst car I have ever bought.

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  Owner - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Letitia - May 6 - 2:03 am

  This is the best auto I have ever had in my long lifetime! There are just two suggestions for improvement: 1. the placement of the speedometer is not visabble enough. 2. the headrest is not placed right I owned a Lincoln Town Car prior to this car and of course, the ride is not as comfortable as the Town Car