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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  40,000 and a few more problems - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Mongo - November 26 - 3:20 am

  Still a fine performer, but have experienced a few more issues. New starter, left rear window stopped working both fixed under warranty. Now the ABS light came on and the cruise control stopped working. I guess we will see the value of the extended warranty next. Still, nothing comes close on the highway.

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  Love my MKX - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By drewxmas - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I have only had the MKX for a couple of weeks but did take it on a long road trip (3KM). We had a full load with 2 adults, two children, two dogs and a cat. The ride was comfortable and it made the trip a joy. The technology is fantastic. We had the Navigation system lock up once and had to turn the car off to get it to reset. The THX sound system is awesome as well. Overall a fun luxury vehicle - love it.

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  1998 Nav Still Going Strong - Smoothly - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Carlos - November 21 - 7:06 am

  Had my grandpa up this week, and he still marvels at the look and drivability of my 98 Nav. I have enjoyed it from day 1. Of course gas prices were south of $1 when I first bought it, and I have been getting 15 MPG for as long as I have had it, so this is one of the drawbacks. When it is cleaned up, waxed, and wheels detailed, it is still quite an impressive vehicle.

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  The Last Great American Luxery Car - 2010 Lincoln Town Car
  By qcdude - November 20 - 5:40 am

  I read about the end of production being set 4 8/2011 & I started seaching 4 a low mileage 2010, cant afford new 1. After 3 months I found a clean Continental Edition w/13K & got the dealer down 2 4k below kbb. I took a 300 mile highway trip today after 3 weeks of local travel & I cant believe that this car is being discontinued. I had a Park Avenue years ago and this TC is superior when it comes to ride comfort & neutralizing road noise, seating is lg & plush. The power is adequate 4 this type of vehicle & I got 27 mpg (all flat terain). My first 3 weeks of local travel was only 19. I paid $800 less 4 this slightly used TC than I paid 4 a new fully loaded Accord that I now hate 2 drive.

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  Quality and Value - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By MrMason - November 19 - 1:50 pm

  Feels like a much more expensive luxury car, gets a great reaction from people who look it over. A joy to drive with all the bells and whistles. Looked at BMW and Audi but didnt see enough of a quality and performance difference to justify the large price difference. Great value! Even a crooked Southern senator would love it

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  LS is Best Kept Secret - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By live214 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Great car that many peple just dont now about , better than BMW 530i. I bought mine at Kronon L M in Chicago they gave me the best price compare to five other dealers, I saved thousands.

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  3rd Town Car - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By JIMVATO - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My first town car was a 1995 exective. My 2nd town car a 2001 Signature which had all the bells and whistles. This past year my wife decided she want a new car. She wanted the Lincoln logo on the car plus the auto trunk closing. What the dealership failed to tells us that when we got our Signature Town Car is really was a downsize signature to an exective. Now I do not have but a single CD player with the worst sound system in it. You almost have to rise the volume to the extreme in order to hear the music. There are no auto seat adjusters for different drivers.

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  My 2006 Lincoln navy - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By MS JAKI - November 18 - 9:46 pm

  Wonderful driving experience, above all i feel absolutely safe since i am female and single. Excellent power and take off, riding up high above smaller cars is great also feel safe in ice and snow and i have great traction with 4 wheel drive and other drive options. Outside is sleek and i get unlimited compliments on my navy. Its great to have the retractable running boards but the ultimate is the automatic lift gate that is wonderful in the winter when i go grocery shopping and the heated seats are the best

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  Navigation with iphone - 2013 Lincoln MKS
  By cas52 - November 18 - 3:57 am

  I recently purchased a 2013 MKS which is equipped with the navigation and blue tooth. I have had a problem with the navigation resulting in freezing in the middle of directions and/or not able to get directions. I was told by Lincoln that there is a glitch with the software of the Iphone and the Lincoln Sync system. They are aware of the problem and hope to solve it by the end of the summer. I have had the Lincoln in the past with navigation and never had a problem. This new system is not working well at all.

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  Love My Navigator - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Tom Webb - November 16 - 7:50 pm

  This is the second Navigator we have owned, previously had two Suburbans. The Navigator is much more fun to drive, more comfortable on long trips, and over all a better vehicle.We have traveled all over Western USA, through all kinds of weather, it is super for all situations. Our friends prefer to have us drive, as it is much more comfortable than their vehicles.