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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  Just get in & drive - 2016 Lincoln Navigator
  By William Tyndal - May 24 - 7:37 pm

  Ive owned 6 new Navigators since 1997 and they all have been great... Only one repair issue in all six. The 2016 has the new turbo 6 cylinder which is plenty powerful! All in all great value for a big SUV.

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  own one - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Laf981 - May 23 - 10:00 am

  The performance in this car is great, and I think this car was built for owners to love it. Its interior is elegant and sporty thats why I chose this car.

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  Happy Customer - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Alyn Bernell - May 23 - 10:00 am

  Looks and feels like a luxury car. I thought the rating writeup I found a few frames back on this website was a poor writeup. I didnt buy this car to "scratch off" from stoplights or careen thru the twisties. I bought it float over bumps and feature styling that doesnt all look alike with German cars and many Japanese cars.

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  wind noise - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Milo L. Wietstock - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2003 Lincoln Signature last year. I have noted a significant amount of wind noise coming from both front doors. I have had the car back to the dealership, a Ford Tech Rep drove the car, and correspondence with Ford Customer Satisfaction group in Dearborn have resulted in no seeming concern or help to resolve this irritating condition. Ford has said this is normal for this car. I find that hard to believe for a new supposed luxury car. However, they seem to have washed their hands of the matter offering no help. In addition, I seem to have soft brakes which again has been diagnosed as normal. And, the AM radio has poor reception.

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  Great Ride! - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Wayne - May 23 - 5:00 am

  If you want a smooth comfortable ride, this is the car for you.

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  puts the Japanese in the dirt. - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By stuart adams - May 23 - 12:53 am

  This is a beautiful car. It has a great ride, classy styling and will get up and go. The navigation and stereo system are easy to use. It is the most comfortable car, I have driven. I looked at Japanese and German cars, and this was by far the best value. This car is worth a look, and to all you German, Japanese yuppies this is a high performance luxury car at 2/3 the price. I think it has a better ride and is better engineered than most cars in its class. Ford/Lincoln did well on this one. I traded in my 2005 Subaru Legacy and was very impressed by ride, luxury, performance of this vehicle.

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  06 Lincoln Signature LTD - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Chas in NJ - May 22 - 3:53 am

  Bought the car for price, size, safety, and most of all, American made. As far as I am concerned, no foreign name plate can come close. Everything works fine; ride and handling are exceptional for this size vehicle. Only 400 miles since November, but I look forward to using this car much more.

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  Great Car Finally takes on the Japanese - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Keith - May 22 - 1:50 am

  Performance is fine could use a little more HP.. But gas Mileage is good. THX is unreal. Handling is great. Interior is American all the way. love it. Air conditioned seats nav ststem unreal comfort A++....Buying a VETT soon and the Lincoln is for the Family have fun

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  Great Truck - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Texcursion - May 20 - 11:26 am

  This is definitely a Guy car, very cool interior, good engine, great gas mileage for being a V8. Awesome sound system. Owners will be definetly happy with this truck, unlike the Blackwood, this is meant to be what it is, a very good looking F150 like truck, except with tons of class.

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  Nothing beats this Lincoln! - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By Greg - May 20 - 2:16 am

  Car had 97k on it when I bought it. Today it has 173,000 and still runs excellent. Zero problems! Zero. Had to replace tires of course and I believe maybe the tie rod ends are ready to be replaced. Expensive, but big deal compared to what Ive saved.