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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  Cooled Seats? - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By joe - October 31 - 9:40 pm

  I live in the great state of Texas where its hot. I bought the car mainly because of the comfortable seats. The cooled seats were a great option to me and worked great at the time of purchase. Now the bottom part of the seat gets really cold and the back of the seat doesnt cool at all. Its been to the dealer 3 times. The first time they said nothing was wrong with it; they must not have looked very far. The second time I made sure to show them the problem; they repaired it. The seats worked great for 1 day. I brought the car back to them and now they say there is nothing wrong with them. They must be blind or dont know how to make the repair. Im very dissatisfied with the dealer and the seats.

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  I think my next car is German - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By Craig VonStraten - October 22 - 8:23 am

  I love this car to tell you the truth, but Im going to be forced to buy a German vehicle next (maybe Audi or MB). Its overpriced, there are more features on a M-Benz C230 Sport Sedan than on this vehicle. Not so impressed with leather. Pretty nice handling. Ive also noticed that D Waters is right! My LS Doesnt only blow dust in from the back rows, but from the front rows as well. It might attract more business if its called a V6, cause no one really wants a very weak V8, they want a Powerful V6. Luxury options are too pricy, and I might say the exterior is, well, ugly. However, the Interior is pretty nice. On an overall, I would recommend a BMW 330i or a MB C280 or Audi A4.

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  known problems with drive train - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By spdrcrgo - October 19 - 2:00 am

  vehicle performance and utility are adequate, however the rear axle whine that seems to be standard with the vehicle prompted me to lemon law my 1st one (a 2003)ford exchanged it for a 2004 model after apprx. 1100 miles the same problem whine developed. im looking to trade this one in for a quality suv within 6 mos.

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  linclon - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By momo16 - October 16 - 12:58 am

  the car has a lot of problems.the first one is the engine coils have to be replaced on a regular basis,the air suspention goes bad,most electical accessories go bad the car is a ticking time bomb.

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  Its just OK! - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By LisaF - September 24 - 8:07 am

  If you have your phone using the Car Play, you cannot use the navigation on the vehicle. It makes you use your Maps on your phone. The SIRI is horrible for the phone. If you are trying to call someone it doesnt always work correctly. So all in all, you cannot use your phone for a phone call if you want to use the autos navigation. Also, there isnt a heat vent near the drivers door. When the heat is on, its freezing on that side of your legs. This is literally the worst car I have ever leased. The car does not have a great turn radius. All of my other vehicles, and I have had some very nice vehicles, they can turn on a dime. This one, no chance. The AWD is terrible in the snow and slides all over the place. The gas mileage is the worst I have ever had. I cannot get over 20 mpg. I am so disappointing with this SUV. If I wanted something this cheap, I would have gone with the regular Edge.

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  Might have been good when new. - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By David E - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my LS in June of 2009 for $7,000. I am going to give it to the local vo-tech because it has almost no trade in value and I cant imagine what private individual this car would be good for. Almost every month I have owned this car, I have had to repair something electronic. There are more $500 - $1000 gizmos on this thing than you can imagine. I had hoped that I was getting them all repaired and wouldnt have any more problems but I am starting to replace some things a second time. This car is extremely complex. Some of the parts are designed by Jaguar. When luxury features fail, you dont just lose the feature, you lose basic functions.

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  Nothing but problems - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By michelle - July 5 - 5:53 am

  This vehicle has been nothing but huge problems, electrical short blows out the tail lights, pieces of the interior just fall off (face plates, heater/ac vents), horn does not work, back fires from the manifold, doesnt start after the first am start, takes five cranks to get this thing running. This car should have been recalled it is a LEMON, nice to look at but not dependable at all! Poor job on this year/model Lincoln. Do not recommend unless you want to be nickel and dimed to death. Gas mileage was not even a concern it is just the odd mechanical problems this car has.

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  Unreliable piece.... - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By 2ndbest - July 3 - 4:06 am

  This was a nice ride, flashy & a sharp looking car. But thats all it has going for it. First the front lower ball joints needed replaced, they were recalled but the company wouldnt pay for mine. Then the alternator and battery needed replaced. Int and Ext lights went off outta nowhere! It overheats also. It continues to leak water from the windshield when it rains. One window regulator was replaced. The airbag light is stuck on. The sway bar still has a clunking noise. Drives terribly in the snow, get stuck every year. Love the style, just not dependable. Never again will I buy a lincoln/ford auto.

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  Extremely Dissatisfied - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Filippone, Robert A. - June 16 - 12:36 pm

  My first "luxury vehicle". I have had 12 Ford Motor Co. products in my lifetime. Always had very good luck with each of them. 100000+ miles on each. I keep my vehicles at least 8-10 years. Take excellent care of them. Have never had a complaint about any. When I retired, I decided to upgrade into a "luxury vehicle". Have never had such a vehicle in my life. Thought I owed it to myself. When the Aviator came out in 2003 I was impressed. I purchased a "DEMO" with 1411 miles on it. I was thrilled to death. Immediately I had ignition problems. Not once. not twice, but five times. The same problem. It was solved eventually, but only after being towed and inconvienced five times.

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  You can run but you cant see it - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By tcars1 - June 12 - 3:02 pm

  The My Lincoln Touch (my ford touch) system is a complete joke. 3 days into the car the system has crashed twice. 6 days into it the system has locked up, audio non-existant. Nav map comes and goes at will. The MFT system simply does not work. I dont care that it is "slow" but loses blue tooth every 5 min. and rebooting while using the nav is ridiculous. Now I am stuck with this piece of Sh*t. Dealers have excuses. Search MFT/MLT (I wish I did) and believe... you will be sorry you bought this car when you get your blank screen and have to pull over, restart the car and wonder if it will work. Starting everyday has brought on some other glitch.