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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  Not My Expedition - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Golfingg - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a 2003 Eddie Bauer Expedition for the Aviator. It was a great trade. It has more power and although it is not quite as big, it is still very comfortable for my family of four. The power is unbelievable.

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  Riding your best chair & tv - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By JustRon - September 1 - 10:00 am

  If were any smoother, quite, you would need a wake up call. The loudest thing in the car is the thumb switches on the steering wheel. Long trips require waking up at least every hour. 30-100 mph do differance, real smooth. One window need ajustment.

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  A Great Automobile - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By dharris - August 31 - 10:23 pm

  I have spent over 45,000 trouble free miles in this car. During this time the car has not failed to start or act up in any other way. Dealer has replaced interior door handles and headlights (due to leaking).

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  Second Lincoln Ive Had - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By M Olson - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Our first Lincoln was a 1987 and we traded it in for the 1998 only because we had put almost 185000 miles on it. We really never had a problem with the 1987 except for replacing the front and rear airbags. (ouch $1,500.00) for for front and same for rear. Our 1998 we have had only 1 major problems is all, (replaced front sway bar) other than that we just have done regular maintenance (oil changes every 3000 miles, rotate tire every 4000 miles and etc.) Always garage kept and washed and waxed regularly. This car rides and drives like a dream. Plenty of power when you need it and you seem to float down the highway.(Because of it being white lots of people on interstate think its a cop car.)

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  Luxury at its best! - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Teresa Collins - August 25 - 4:23 pm

  You will have test drive to see what a great vehicle it is.

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  Bring back the LS - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By 2005 lincoln ls - August 24 - 7:20 am

  This is the car Id like to be driving forever. I could care less if sales slowed down. I bought one, and when Lincoln decides to bring this vehicle back to the lineup, I will replace mine with a brand new LS

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  comfort, safety and decent gas mileage! - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By Stuch - August 18 - 10:00 am

  We bought ours used with 44k miles on it. It has the performance suspension and the 16 inch wheels, so its not too floaty or soft. The updated interior on the 95 through 97 models is very nice and roomy. We have had to change the transmission fluid (highly recommended if the trans clunks/shudders), fix the drivers side power window, and fix the heater fan, but thats all. Set the cruise on 60 mph and you get 30 miles per gallon! Feel safe when your wife and two small kids get in the car! I think its safer and more economical that a mini- van or a SUV.

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  2003 Navigator 2WD - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Craig R - August 18 - 1:06 am

  I love this car. The only real criticism Ive got is the mileage, particularly in light of recent fuel price increases. I researched the vehicle before I bought and the lack of power was something I read about. My vehicle moves along just fine. The interior is spacious and the seats the most comfortable of any vehicle Ive ever owned. My lease is up next spring. I will watch the fuel prices, thats the only thing that will dissuade me from getting another Navigator.

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  Good made Better - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By jtr02a - August 14 - 10:00 am

  My family has loved owning this Navigator, it is wonderful for Boy Scout campouts and long distance travel. We purchased this vehicle because our family is growing (65", 64", 511", & 510") and needed more leg and headroom and this was perfect. Aside from the obviously bad mpg (on all SUVs) and slightly underpowered acceleration (for a Lincoln, great compared to "normal" SUVs), this is a great, stable SUV. We own several Lincolns and will definitely continue to buy. The newer models seem to have corrected most of the imperfections found on the 98.

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  Great Car So Far - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By JHL - August 13 - 7:56 pm

  Ive owned at least 60 cars and trucks during my lifetime, from sports to luxury, from utility to fancy. This car is one of the finest that Ive come across, its very comfortable and has adequate power, I do a lot of highway driving and I bought this car for comfort and I feel that is has the most comfort of anything Ive owned thus far. The fact that is gets 23 mpg on the road for a car this big is great in my book, I had a 78 Chrysler New Yorker that got 7 mpg when it was new. I have a high degree of confidence in this car, I just traded a Continental with 131k miles and it was a great car.