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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  good stuff - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By selvarajah - June 22 - 3:03 am

  my wife was looking to buy a slightly used BMW 740. We test drove the vehicle and found the LS to have more agility and extremely comfortable. The 740 with its sluggish performance and overly abundant seating was not practical for the extra 20K more for a USED Vehicle. Not to mention the horror stories one hears of with the electronics with German engineered cars.

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  Nice Driver - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By nvbanker - June 6 - 12:43 am

  The Aviator has the distinction of being the Navigators younger brother in design and looks. Most of the features you can get in the Navigator are available. The magic of the Aviator is the way it drives. The steering is easy and the power is extraordinary. Its the most fun SUV Ive ever driven.

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  Road Trip In a 2013 Lincoln MKZ - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By ron6 - June 3 - 3:45 pm

  My wife and I traded our 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS for a 2013 Lincoln MKZ 2.0 at the end of February 2013. We looked at a number of mid-sized luxury cars and decided on the MKZ based on its styling, features, and a test drive. On March 8 we left on a 4000 mile round trip from Minnesota to Arizona. When we returned home eleven days later, we had driven on icy Midwest roads, 11,000 mountain passes, desert roads and interstate highways in seven states. We averaged 30.5 mpg over the 4000 miles and never experienced a problem of any type with the car. The 2.0 Eco-Boost engine is a marvel and has plenty of power at all speeds. Disclaimer: our son-in-law works for Ford but not for Lincoln.

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  The Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By jldjd - June 3 - 5:10 am

  A former BMW fan, love this Lincoln. I drive a lot of miles, and it is the best. Wish they had not discontinued the LS. The most comfortable, reliable and just plain fun car Ive ever owned!

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  Simply the best! - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Alisons SUV - June 2 - 1:26 pm

  We have had either family vans or SUVs for years, and our Aviator is the best overall car weve ever had. It has great power, is extremely comfortable in town or on a trip, and is fun to drive. Additionally, the dealer took great pains to be sure we knew how to use everything on it before turning us loose!

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  2002 LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Tax Man - June 1 - 6:03 pm

  I have only had the car two months, but I am completely satisfied.

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  Rateing - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Leonard Tyson - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Ilove everything about this town car except the radio.It should have one of the best radio,s on the market,but it does not.

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE this car - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Tamralynn - May 31 - 2:56 pm

  I have now had my MKX for 1.25 years. I cannot say enough great things about it. The creme brulee color and the light tan interior still look brand new. I love all the features cant say enough about the sync (makes me lazy). I have numerous people try to buy it from me. This is the most luxurious sexy fun car I have ever owned. My 12 year old and his friends LOVE the rockin steroe system. I cant believe it is stock. My gas mileage continues to improve with each oil change. I am now getting 24 hwy and 10 city. Would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Ego Driven - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Sparkyhsd - May 30 - 2:00 am

  @ 17500 mi in 8mos, I have to say I am quite impressed. Yes, the bugs had to be worked out of it due to poor vendors picked by Ford, but the car is a sleeper, 135mph on I-75 felt like just 75mph. Extremely comfortable. Transmission shifting needs to be corrected,, to much delay, & Wind noises in the windows cant be fixed. BEST HANDLING CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN FOR THE WEIGHT..WOW!!

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  Lincoln Zephyr surpasses competition - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By ewp400 - May 28 - 5:03 pm

  Top level for performance, comfort, amenities, quietness, handling. Better than the competition.