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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  Easy to Love and Easy to Drive - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By CommanderRR - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Great Ride compared to 02 Towny, THIS IS the AUTO to be Ridin the Freeway/Tollway or anyway. Yes, Yes,Yes rear drive American luxury is the best!! Auto wipers, lights, radar, sonar, compass, nav system, and lots of ROOMMMMMMMM. And...while inside the weather is so delightful!! Everything operates with ease (I programmed the home-link). The T Car is so easy to drive. Great brakes, acceleration and nimble handling. Outside is, well...outside and Im inside chillin or warmin and cruisin. Love when the radar/sonar shuts off my audio system!!

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  Great Road Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jimbo - December 20 - 5:56 pm

  Wifes car: Great road car 27-28mpg. have had to rebuild differential $1000 in 09, This year new rack and pinion & ball joints $1000, 07 two new coils and valve gaskets $900. We plan to keep this car although future repairs may change out decision. Car is a joy to drive we do many road trips. Ford recommends prem. we use regular no problems re reg at all over the years

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  Drivers Seat poor quality Leather - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By wrudge - December 16 - 2:41 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Zephyr via an auction in 2009. Sharp, sporty looking car! Mine is dark gray & has the light gray interior. The car had a slight worn spot in what appeared to be a seam on the left hand side of the upper drivers seat. In time the worn spot appeared to stretch & you could see fibers & then the dye in the leather started to come off in just that one small section. I paid $400 to have the upper seat leather replaced. It happened again & they took the cover back and gave me another. Now, less than 6 mos. later it is doing the same thing. The same location on all 3. Time for a meeting with a Factory Rep.

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  Mechanical nightmare - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By dstuartbond - December 15 - 11:03 am

  From the day I drove it off the lot it has been in the shop three times for transmission repairs (starting at under 1,000 miles). The engine stalled out on me and would only run on a few cylinders at 80 miles (yes 80). It is now in the shop for the third time for a rear main engine seal that they cant seem to fix (over three weeks in the shop now). The Electronics keep going out (navigation, stereo front power windows and moon roof) all at the same time. They stop functioning for days at a time and then start working again. The dealer has not been able to isolate this problem. The dealer is beside themselves on all of these issues.

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  Whistles at speeds 60+ mph - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Friscodad - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Great ride, handling and power. Expect it to drink more. What do you expect from 300 horses? It needs to drink. It whistles at speeds over 60 MPH. This is common amongst all models and is a design and manufactures defect. Lincoln needs to recognize it and make good on some modifcations and repairs. Back door jams against the front door. Another defect and common design flaw amongst these models.

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  FIRST YEAR HAS SIGNIFICANT DEFECTS - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By BEXLEY - December 9 - 2:00 am

  SQUEAKY BRAKES, UNFINDABLE WATER LEAK WITH RESULTING AWFUL LOCKER ROOM SMELL... WOULD NEVER BUY FIRST YEAR OF A MODEL AGAIN.

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  Editors must be Nutz! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By rl-candy - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Navvy on an 03. Felt like I got a good trade with the incentives etc. Have 3 kids. Boy has the Nav. matured into a high tech killer SUV! Doesnt surprise me that PDiddy likes it enough to put his name on them. The Escalade isnt even close in my opinion. As far as what matters in the real world, the Nav. has it. There are so many advancments, not just gadgetry but real useful innovative stuff! The 99 was very reliable and I hope this one will be too.

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  Great Car - Horrible paint job - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By LincolnTom - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Great car, horrible paint. I think the dealer ruined the clearcoat when they detailed the car at delivery. Car looked great until I washed it. It was full of swirl marks. Went back 3 times to be rewaxed. I finally did it myself w/Malms.

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  Wonderful Vehicle - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By LS Owner - December 7 - 2:00 am

  An overall wonderful car. And Lincoln treats their customers beautifully.

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  FromZtoShiningZ - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By FromZ2ShiningZ - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I had a Zepher. Beside rear lights and front clip updates this isnt the same car. And, thats a good thing. The MKZ made a good car much better. Though the options list has many techie things that I just dont want to pay more for. Yes, the Lincoln MKZ is a blue collar luxury car, what Mercury should have been. But, my MKZ with heated/cooled seats, moonroof, chrome wheels, All- Wheel-Drive, Memory Seats, Dual Auto Air, real nice leather, and other stuff. SYNC by Microsoft (the best blue tooth, song, traffic and turn-by-turn Navigation device Ive ever used). Was only $10.00 more a month than a fully loaded Camry! And, better than the Mercedes 300 I surrendered. I recommend the MKZ.