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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  Good car for the money - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lincoln - August 13 - 4:26 am

  After reading all the other testimonials about the town car, it amazes me the amount of people that compare the town car to the Lexus LS430. Of course the Lexus is a wonderful car, its $30,000 more! It better be. The town car is wonderful for the money. The quality is more than adequate, nothing compares in the way of interior room and comfort. And no, its not a rocket off the line, but its not supposed to be. Quite honestly, I dont believe the suspension could handle it, but then again, you wouldnt have the ride. You want handling, buy a corvette, stupid.

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  Good ride - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Socalteddy - August 11 - 10:43 am

  This is a good car for the money. I enjoy the ride and overall comfort. My next car will be the BMW 525. I will spend the extra money to get the higher level of quality found and performance in the BMW products. The LS was purchased because of the price point and ride quality.

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  Doing ok so far - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By tennisdoc - August 7 - 2:10 pm

  Had my Navigator 1.5 years now. Was an impulse purchase for my now ex wife. Usually do research but wife loved her friends. Was real scared after purchase when I read the horror reviews. So far, few problems. Seats, what were they thinking? Like parchment, but still holding up. Ive had none of the electrical problems that have plagued reviews. Biggest complaint, dealership serves Lincoln, and Mercury. Service area is like the waiting room for a middle school. Infiniti and Lexus have comfortable waiting areas, and give loaners in a snap. After spending this type of money, service experience is like a Ford.

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  Lincoln LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Mrs C - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I have throughly enjoyed driving this car for the past year... I was looking at the Mercedes and the BMW when I decided to get the LS.. It is such a comfortable cruising car and around town it performs so well. It handles like a charm. Just all around awesome car for the money. I WILL buy another one!

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  COOL CAR! - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Karen - August 5 - 5:00 am

  I traded a Chrysler 300M which was my favorite car that I ever owned, but think Im going to like this one more. Handling & acceleration are great, interior is exceptional, and the exterior turns heads everywhere, especially with really fancy chrome wheels. Love the Merlot color with beige interior. Im mid 50s, sell real estate to high end buyers, and this is a great car for someone who needs a sedan, but not an "old persons car". I looked at Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima and a few others, but very glad that I picked this one. Priced well below the competition. And it indeed seems to have "learned" how I drive after a crash course in fast acceleration and curvy roads.

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  Nice car for the money - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By ED - August 5 - 1:33 am

  4 years of ownership and had very little issues with the car. 2 coil on plugs went bad $125 a pop. Front suspension overhaul( tie rods, sway bars) car had a clunk over bumps and never was fixed after 4 trips. I think its a design flaw as many other owners suffer this annoying noise. Alternator and battery at 110k other than that and a few other things the car is solid, especially now you can get one dirt cheap infact cheaper that a similar year Accord or sometimes Civic. Solid motor, guy I sold it to at 110k now has 180k on it without much work. makes me regret selling it. tranny can be iffy on some of these car so make sure if shifts good. Hold off for a 99 model many improvement

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  Just gets better - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By nvbanker - August 4 - 9:46 pm

  The 05 has a new engine and transmission that make the truck even better, more responsive, and useful. The 6 speed transmission shifts like butter, and gives the truck some real spunk off the line. I dont think any other truck in this class can touch it.

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  power at the drop of a hat - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By HEB - August 3 - 10:00 am

  nice riding car with just the right amount of class. sound system is fitting for this car.I had a 2001 and now i love the 2003 even more.

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  Works for both short wife & tall husband - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Kirk - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Weve had the car for a couple months now and its so much fun to drive. Our son drives a 97 Mustang GT manual and this LS could probably beat it in every driving category. The LS has "balance" that the GT just doesnt have. The real-wheel drive together with independent rear suspension really make a difference. Under "severe" conditions I always feel confident in the LS; where in the GT there are many times that I have to "back-off". Lincoln has done a good job in making the suspension, brakes, & wheels very light so that the car absorbs these bumps without transferring the force into the steering wheel or drivers seat.

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  just bougt and love it - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By j farley - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought lease return with 27000 miles. Have driven two trips of 1000 and 1800 and a little around town. Hyw mileage is spectacular for size of car (24 to 27 miles to gallon) Car is extremely quiet, perhaps not quite the ride of 1977, 84, 92 and 95 I had before, but better than anything else I,ve been in lately. I,ve yet to own a bad town car and bought everyone of them used.