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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  2003 Lincoln Navigator Ultimate - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By David Salter - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Love the smoothness and handling of this vehicle. Although large and heavy it is agile and fun to drive. Location of the power window control(s) in center console is difficult to adjust to and am unable to make the Voice Activation work. Like the In Your Face styling and overall finish of exterior and in

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  This is a great car - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ken - February 23 - 8:36 am

  I love the car, it has style, room and get up and go when you need it. About 27 mpg on the hwy way. I always smile when I see it. To me it says, "you have made it"

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  Luxury Built Ford Tough - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By sevenstw - February 23 - 7:43 am

  The exterior chrome and square gauges have a retro 1960s look. The interior is all about comfort, luxury and modern technology. Build quality is excellent compared to the competition. For someone who drives nothing but full sized V8 trucks, I was impressed with the gas mileage and power of the Navigator. The seats are very comfortable and there is all kinds of leg, side and head room in all 3 rows.

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  Lincoln LS Ultimate - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Stu - February 18 - 5:23 pm

  A good looking luxury car with many features and lots of power. I love the auto select shift, which gives me the ability to shift from one gear to another manually. Fit and finish are excellent and my car has received numerous nice comments from friends and neighbors. Contols are convenient and easy to use. Handling is superb. My car is fun and easy to drive. It gives me a secure feeling feeling that I did have in my previous car, a Toyota Avalon. As of only 2 plus months of driving my Lincoln, I would highly recommend it to others. I will certainly consider replacing it with another just like it, when I look for my next car in 3 or 4 years.

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  Lincoln LS Ultimate - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Stu - February 18 - 5:06 pm

  A good looking luxury car with many features and lots of power. I love the auto select shift, which gives me the ability to shift from one gear to another manually. Fit and finish are excellent and my car has received numerous nice comments from friends and neighbors. Contols are convenient and easy to use. Handling is superb. My car is fun and easy to drive. It gives me a secure feeling feeling that I did have in my previous car, a Toyota Avalon. As of only 2 plus months of driving my Lincoln, I would highly recommend it to others. I will certainly consider replacing it with another just like it, when I look for my next car in 3 or 4 years.

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  super super car - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Shirley Schruhl - February 18 - 2:00 am

  super handling, fun to drive and comfort is out of this world

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  A GREAT CAR! - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By B/RIGHT - February 18 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS A GREAT CAR IN EVRY WAY DRIVING HANDLEING LOOKS IS A LINCONL ENOUGH SAID!

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  Makes anything else feel boring - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By jts14 - February 16 - 11:29 pm

  Befor my MKZ, I was leasing a 2012 Cadillac CTS. I thought that was a beautiful car, but then I tested an MKZ, and when I got my car back it felt like I was going back in time. This car blows me away with all of its cool tricks. They really paid attention to the small details in this car; from the ambient lighting (which you can change the color), the push-button shift, and the lights above the back seats (touch-sensitive sensors built into the headliner) I feel like a kid in a candy store in this and its only been a few days! I have the base model, with few options and it already blows my Cadillac out of the water. I would highly recomend this to anyone buying a luxury car. Lincolns back!

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  Better Than What Some Magazines Have Said - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By BrettMan - February 15 - 9:43 pm

  If you like the styling, then you will enjoy the MKX. It handles well for a larger SUV, is very comfortable, and offers a ton of features.

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  CK5205 - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By ck5005 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Great Suv