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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  So far so good - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By phillyfromnewyork - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Just bought it, great value vesus BMW, Volvo and Mercedes.

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  newer may not be better - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By cape codder - May 1 - 6:13 am

  My 99 Navigator went 45K mile with only a seat heater repair. This (04) baby now with 40K has issues more often. Head light repairs (3) which is not just a bulb. My local dealer has to order parts which means multiple trips for something that used to be a 5 minute job. Air compressor for front suspension replaced. Both front door glass windows are scratched vertically for which the dealer says I dont keep the car clean. The car went back for bad spark plugs when new. Has a whining drivetrain bearing noise dealer says is the tires. Tomorrow shes going in for ABS and Advanced Trac warning lights. Finding power window switches while driving is a challenge. When its off warranty its gone

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  20,000 miles not one problem - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By j back - April 29 - 10:53 am

  Roomy, comfortable, quiet. The best luxury car i have owned. (Previous: Cadillac, lexus & mercedes) only wish that they would make all wood interior.

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  Very Nice! - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By K & S Sheets - April 29 - 2:40 am

  The MKX is our second Lincolon product and third Ford product. Traded in our 2005 Aviator, which we loved, for the MKX. Which we love even more! Ford/L makes a great product. Its really sad to see all the negative press that our American car manufactures recieve. I, for one, dont get it. We looked around at all the alternatives in the crossover market and found the MKX hard to beat. Now that we have been driving it for two weeks, we are extremely satisfied. Great ride, very nice and comfortable intererior,great sound & toys and what a great sunroof! Fantastic! Next best thing to having a convertable. Well done Ford/Licoln. If youre looking for a new crossover, we highly recommended this one

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  ok if you have money to fix problems - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By jim - April 28 - 10:53 am

  brought the car year and a half ago and rides like a dream but many many many problems.In the year and a half i have had it the window wiper motor has gone out, my windows half the time dont work (all 4 of them), head gasket blew,water that leaks into the back floor when rains and many other minor problems and let me add I take very good care of my cars and dont beat them. I recommend this car but be prepared to drop some dollars on it.

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  last of the big american cars - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By John angelo - April 26 - 11:50 pm

  This is my second Town Car. I owned a 1996 which I found to be absolutely amazing in quality and style. This one is also a beautiful car, but, I have had some minor troubles with it that I did not experience with the previous model. Most notably, my power seat broke which resulted in a very costly repair. I do love this car though and am disappointed that the model is to be discontinued. I plan to buy another newer one next spring. I love the traditional look, rear drive reliablilty, and incredibly luxurious feel. Hood ornament, full bench seat without cluttered console, column shift,chrome grille and strips, and gigantic trunk. They dont make many like these anymore. I love it.

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  First Lincoln - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Bartlett92 - April 26 - 3:53 pm

  My wife and I just replaced our Cadillac. We were going to buy foreign, but with the latest troubles with one of the companies, we thought twice. The jury is still out, but so far the car is what most people have said it would be. The gas mileage is what we got with the Caddy. One good thing is it uses Reg. gas.

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  Has been a pleasure to drive and own! - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By Clint Krajnik - April 26 - 1:40 pm

  This car has the best ride and hood view I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. It is very quiet when inside or out, you can barely hear the engine unless you step on it! My 11- year old daughters first words after riding in it were, "It feels so smooth, like were floating". All the toys and power stuff still work. I have recently replaced two front tie rods and one ball joint. Not sure what the cause was, but that has been only problem. The steering is now smooth, responsive and quiet. Fuel economy is 20.5 mpg city/highway mix. I was 31 when I bought it, which is probably too young to own one. But the ride!

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  most room - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By bb2000@aol.com - April 26 - 2:00 am

  most room & best ride

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  all american - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By anczdad - April 24 - 8:33 pm

  beautiful car,so much nicer than the cts,,,now thats an ugly car. why did they have to change the name to mkz,,now i have to trade mine in. i will miss my tungsten grey though since it isnt available on the mkz