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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  Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Lance Smith - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Engine noise is very intrusive and handling is poor. The interior is nothing to tell your friends about and the exterior is outdated. It is always rattling and has been in the shop eight times since we got it four months ago.

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  Not built to last - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Jim Sixx - September 15 - 2:53 am

  Robert Lorenzo knows what hes talking about. Ive been having major problems with my Town Car as well, one thing that caught my eye is that the AC really does blow bad odor, thats disgusting. People the only thing that stands out of the town Car is the ride quality, other than that theres notihng special here. Gas mileage is horrible 17 mpg in city driving, is not satisfying. I tell you this car is not worth your hard- working money, Im not saying this is a bad car. Its just not worth your money.

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  BOUGHT A LINCOLN GOT A YUGO - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By DISAPOINTED - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR, IT HAS BEEN SHOP 8-9 TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON ALEAST 12 TIMES DURING THAT PERIOD. THEY HAVE REPLACE A CYL. HEAD,COIL PAK,FUEL INJECTOR,SPARK PLUGS,HEGO SENSOR,A/C VENT,DASH BEZEL TO NAME A FEW THINGS.IT ALWAYS SEEMS I HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK TO GET IN FOR REPAIRS. OH BY THE WAY THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT TO [5 DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD FIX IT]. GOT IT BACK AND THE DOOR RATTLED WHEN CLOSING-BACK TO THE SHOP,GOT IT HOME,NEXT DAY CAR WOULD NOT START-TOWED TO SHOP,FAULTY POWER CABLE. THIS CAR STINKS AND SO DOES THE SERVICE

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  Poor experience from Lincoln - 2013 Lincoln MKX
  By medic2012 - September 3 - 4:09 pm

  I had bought a 2013 MKX from Planet Lincoln. The vehicle had a lot of interior noise from the road and surroundings. I was told by the service manager that this was normal. I went back to the sales associate and explained that I was not satisfied with the noise the response I got was too bad there is nothing we can do for you. Very pricey for a sub par vehicle

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  Dont Buy - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By gennipher - August 27 - 1:33 am

  I have had this vehicle in the shop for a total of 25 days- out of the 3 months I have owned it- It has had the drive shaft repalced, return hose to the power steering replaced, multipe balanacing of the tires, road forced, shimmiy/shaking poor brakes (going to the floor) and the steering wheel turns to the left when braking normally anout 1/2 inch to an inch everytime... it has a shuttering noise when you turn the wheel and when you first satart it- it has a total of 2000 miles on it- I filed arbitration paperwork and the Lincoln rep advised me that the vehicle "ran pretty good" did not think there was any thing else- dealership advised it still needed new tires and lincoln rep said no

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  Unhappy owner - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By fluffypuppy - August 3 - 11:50 am

  After my Lincoln Continental I have high expectation when I bought my Lincoln MKS. I wish I never did. With the same problem I had to go 3 times back, before the dealership find the problem and then took a week to fix it. It was a seal leaked the the seat circulated the burned oil into the cabinet. I suffered head ache as result for months. Also the car is underpowered, slow; the shift does not shift timely, while the engine roaring. When I go down on a hill when other drives push the break, i had to puss the gas in order to keep up with the traffic; going up on a hill my car was not abble to go up I had to manually switch back the gear. I am disappointed in this car.

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  Less than stellar - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By chewie - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I am very disappointed in my 2004 Aviator and the sales experience was horrific. I have had the vehicle two weeks and it has already been in the shop for two days. The ride is nice but the wind noise is unacceptable in a vehicle of this price. The Aviator hesitates when punched getting on the freeways of Houston which has almost caused an accident several times. It drinks gas worse than my son drinks soda. The storage compartments are numerous but small. The leg room in the back seats is tight and not comfortable for the passengers I have taken for a ride. There is more room in my Mountaineer, which is a better buy for the money.

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  Never Never Never Never again - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Horrible Vehicle - May 11 - 12:36 am

  This car has been nothing but problems. After owning the vehicle for two years the transmission had to be replaced. When the third time repair did not fix the original problem. I have had electrical problems from day one but no one can seem to figure out why. The auto-window doesnt work, the side view mirrors would change positions, the passenger seat heater does not work, the sound system takes about a minute to come on after the car is started. The steering wheel shimmies when braking, and there is a long whining sound when you start the vehicle in cold weather (which they cant seem to figure out why). This vehicle is the most expensive I have owned and yet the worst purchase made.

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  I hate my car. Ready to trade in - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By I HATE MY LS - April 29 - 11:13 pm

  I purchased the 02 LS V8 three years ago and have had nothing but problems and costly repairs. It is a nice car to look at but is not worth the hassle.. Every part including tires are pricey. I will never by a Ford/Lincoln again. Gas mileage is bad. If thinking about buying one, do not!

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  My Aviator runs like crap - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By STEVE - January 26 - 1:43 am

  I traded in a Mercury Mountaineer that was a very nice vehicle for this one. At ll,500 miles, it sits at a traffic light and shakes. Ive had it in a total for 3 times and been told each time that it was to "specs". Ive had plenty of cars... around 50 or so... and never had a $45,000 lincoln that sits at a light and shakes. My water bottle looks like a Tsunami. Im trying very hard to find a real mechanic as opposed to a technician to try and fix this car. Im going to sell it ASAP...as I can get it fixed. Any person driving this vehicle would ask whats wrong with it.... My 6th and LAST Lincoln/Mercury product and probably my last American Made Auto.Steve Crouch