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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  High Luxury Not High Price - 2014 Lincoln MKX
  By Daniel Bray - February 6 - 9:35 am

  We bought a 2 yr old MKX after owning Japanese cars for 16 years. So far its better than we imagined in all areas. Powerful, smooth, quiet with all of the features we could ask for. After owning it for a year, I can say that the navigation system is very complicated. Unnecessarily so. And the turn signals are overthought. Too complicated for such a simple function. But we still love the car.

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  why knot? - 2016 Lincoln Navigator
  By Sandy Rome - February 4 - 9:27 pm

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  Cross Country trip - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By popeye1250 - January 30 - 5:10 pm

  Just got back from Reno, NV to Myrtle Beach S.C. and the odometer has 7,200 miles. You can do 90 mph in this car very comfortably. (in Wyoming) I averaged 26.6 mpg for the trip doing 80-85 most of the time. I got 28 mpg doing 70 for a good stretch so milage does improve with more on the odometer. Very comfortable car to ride in cross country! Engine and transmission performed flawlessly in the Rocky mountains. More than enough power. There were 3 of us and we had plenty of room for luggage. Gas mileage has inproved dramatically from when I had 1,000 miles on it! I ran it with "regular" gas. Changed the break in oil at around 1,800 miles.

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  MIKES TOWN CAR - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By MIKE P. - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I am very please with this car. It handles very well and is quiet. I have over 90,000 miles on it and it still is like new. My gas mileage is around 21 mpg. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  love my navagator - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By b jafa - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I love this suv it drives more like a car it hugs the corner like a car.It,s the most comfortable car i ever drove and I used to drive a cadillac.

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  Lincoln Town Car Signature - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Roy Teverbaugh - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a terrific car to drive. Very comfortable and easy to handle. Quiet ride, feels like a luxury car and is. I like the styling and the 17" wheels make for a smother ride. The interior has everything and then some. I will purchase another in a heartbeat.

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  Love this car - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By Jerzeybob - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I leased my car when the 2000 models first came out. After having car for the first 3 months I thought that I have finally found a car that had all that I wanted. Size, Sport feel, comfort and all the toys a man could ask for, mine was loaded with everything. When I was ready to trade it in for a 2003 model was told they are not going to be making them any more I was furious. I see so many of them on the road dont understand why? Was told to replace it with LS, no way. So I bought the car but when it comes time to replace it I will go to Cadillac for they are the other luxury front wheel drive car. I love the car.

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  Keep Making It - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By Gus - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful Car. Ive had a new one every 2 years for 16 yrs and Im only 44!

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  New Lincoln Navigator Owner - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By Mastro - January 18 - 4:06 am

  Purchased our 2007 Lincoln Navigator 14 months ago. Test drove every large SUV, but Navigator blows all others away. Runs on regular gas. V8 is smooth and powerful yet the ride is amazingly smooth and quiet, you will not believe its really a truck! Massive interior space that is luxurious and comfortable. Power 3rd row folding seat is a very convenient feature which we use whenever we make runs to Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Power fold running boards have worked without any problems even through tough NJ winter. Able to handle rain, snow, and ice with confidence. Currently have over 22000 miles with impeccable dependability. Impressive vehicle that frequently receives compliments

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  California Dream - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By 49erfaithful - January 16 - 11:20 pm

  Have always driven high end cars & saw this with 48,000 mi on it and want it. Got it for $7,200--No regrets. Great power, extremely reliable & very comfortable for short or long trips. Have 115,000 mi on it now with just regular routine maintenance, new brakes, new tires & new headliner. Exellent cost benefits ratio car to drive when bought used. Combined 20- 21 mpg at 60%/40% highway/city, not bad at all.