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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  Blind spots - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By zee holly - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Front head rests are too wide, blocks view. Back head rests blocked too much of the back window, therefore, we remove them when there are passengers in the back. Just too many blind spots. This is our 2nd LS (2001). I dont think we will buy another one.

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  Almost got it right - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Too Bad - December 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle unless you live in the cold North. The heater does not work right because the ducting is designed wrong. Chest freezes and legs roast. Dealer and Field Service engineers confirm the problem and say there is no fix. Factory supposed to be working on it, but no date on when it will be ready to offer fix to consumers. Blows cold air out side window defrosters after cabin warms up.

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  Very nice but it could be better - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By DUKER 2 - November 20 - 2:00 am

  This is a pretty good car. You will enjoy the roominess and the ride. For my liking I find the seats could be more comfortable. The inflatable back support inflates a little too high in the lower back area. It misses the spot. I personally find my right knee hits the dashboard where the radio controls are. I think this car has terrific potential. Hopefully as the years pass Lincoln Mercury will make it a real winner.

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  "Navie" gator - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By embeth - November 15 - 12:30 pm

  I bought a fully loaded ultimate 4x4 navigtor in june 2005. I had both a 1998 and 2004 eddie bauer expedition prior to this purchase. The navigators transmission shifting is awesome & smooth. I have 3600 miles on it so far. The engine is not quiet though when it is in park........Its embarrassing to drive up in this luxury suv and the engine can be heard. I am getting that checked asap. Besides, everyone gawking at my gator, or peeking inside the windows when they think im not looking.............This suv is close to perfect!

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  great alternative to Taurus - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By km - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought it at half price (got to love that depreciation.) Very comfortable and I absolutely love the exterior design. It has great acceleration with the V8, and youre doing 80 before you know it. I get about 24 mpg on the highway, about 20 in the city. Auto-dimming rearview mirror had to be repaired at 54000. Wrecked it shortly thereafter, both airbags deployed and worked fine. Dashboard designed to deploy airbags without self-destructing, which would have totaled it out. Replaced steering pump 1 yr later (under ext. warranty) but this may have been damaged in the wreck. I love this car, even though Im 32, and will buy another Lincoln, but will get a good 3rd party ext. warranty.

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  Cant use chains or cables for snow - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By B Noble - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is great to drive - except you cannot use cables or chains under snow conditions over passes in Sierras. The controls for the car hang down within 1 " of the top of the front tires. Cables and/or chains could damage control mechanisms of car. Otherwise, gas economy is about 40 mpg on freeway and 39 in town. Seats comfortable. Dual climate controls outstanding.

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  NIce truck - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By mnmjski - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 01 Toyota Sequoia for the Lincoln Navigator 03. To be honest, the Sequoia was smoother, quieter and had better acceleration. The Navigater does has a lot more "bells and whistles" and looks much more luxurious inside and out, but I sometimes wish I had the Toyota back.

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  Buy it used, get it for 1/2 the money! - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By flwindowman - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this creampuff two weeks ago. I cant believe I am going to be paying $500/mo for 5 years for a used vehicle, but compared to the lease on a new one, which would be even higher and leave me with zero equity, this seemed like the way to go. Most people who I know have assumed our Nav is brand new. On the first fill I seem to have gotten about 17 MPG - doesnt seem realistic given other reviews on here. Next fill will tell all. 15 MPG would be OK in my book. The truck seems to run just fine on reg. gas - with these prices thats a big deal. The acid test will come next month when we finally move from NJ to FL.

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  220,000 miles and still going strong - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By djracertt03 - October 7 - 4:05 am

  Just purchased mine the other day from the original owner who drove it daily back and forth from Cinci to Cbus. I couldnt believe how solid this thing is with the miles! Time will tell how long this thing lasts but I wouldnt be afraid to take this thing halfway across the country!

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  Very nice vehicle - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By kc - October 5 - 8:16 am

  I really love the comfort of this car. It certainly doesnt feel like you are driving a large SUV or truck. The suspension is excellent and the seats are very comfortable. The interior detail is very nice but not great.. The tan carpet shows dirt too easily and doesnt clean up well, quality to improve here. Overall, I would recommend, especially for large families.