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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  Lincoln LS - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By LS lover - April 8 - 11:53 am

  The Lincoln LS is the absolute most fun vehicle I have owned. I love taking this car on long distance trips more than I do our Lexus GS430. The seats are the absolute most comfortable I have had the pleasure of sitting in. The styling is great, the interior is even better. This is the second LS I have owned. THe only downfall I see is repair costs when something needs to be replaced. Every part on this car seems to be more expensive than the average car...including oil changes. Nonetheless, I would buy a third LS!

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  This is a wonderful vehicle! - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Henrietta Gaudzels - April 7 - 1:05 pm

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  False Hope - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Diamond Edition - April 7 - 1:00 pm

  I have purchased (3) Lincoln Town Cars 1987, 1993 and the 2004 is the worse of the lot. The wind noise at the door on the driver side is terrible. The inside cabin is noisy and the seats are very un-comfortable. I would never thought in my wildest dreams, that Lincoln would put out such a disgrace. I am not getting any satisfaction from Ford Motor Co. The fuel cap light would stay on and the rear of the car needed adjusting. (Lowering)

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  Better Than The "Experts" Think It Is - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By CharlieO - April 3 - 6:46 pm

  I have read numerous reviews of the 2006 Zephyr in magazines and newspapers, and almost all of them were unenthusiastic. Most claimed that the Zephyr is just a dressed up Milan, and some are critical of the performance or the interior styling. I studied these reviews before buying the car, but then I took a couple of test drives to decide for myself. I compared it to competing cars from Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, and Audi, and decided that FOR ME the Zephyr is the best choice. It handles well, looks great, and has been extremely reliable. After 3 years on the road, the Zephyr is at the top of the JD Powers quality survey, and is rated highly by Consumer Reports. Buy one, youll like it!

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  Near perfect - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By new mexico - April 2 - 10:26 am

  I have found the Aviator to be near perfect. It handles well- it simply responds beautifully. It is comfortable for me and I am rather small ( 53" ) and yet my 6 husband finds it comfortable as well. It is a great size- large enough but, not too large. And, when I need power- it is there. Overall, so far so good- I really like this SUV.

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  Repeat Performance - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By LS Cruiser - April 1 - 2:00 am

  This past Saturday, I traded my 2001 LS for an 03 Premium Sport. As much as I liked my last car, I like the new one even more (much more!!). The car feels more solid, the interior materials feel (and look) much better and luxorious, the transmission shifts better (and faster), and the seats are much more supportive than those in my last car. This car is an absolute blast to drive!! Well Done, Lincoln!!

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  Underappreciated American Gem - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By Fred - March 31 - 10:26 am

  I bought an MKZ, after considering the Lexus GS350, MB C-300, and Infiniti M35. I really wanted to like the "cooler" Infiniti or Lexus, but the quality of their ride did not match the MKZs. While not glamorous, the MKZs looks are quite good, the Nav and Sync systems well thought out (confusing at first; I finally got my Palm Treo to sync, with minor bug.) You definitely get a lot for the money! It handles very well, almost as good as the GS350 (and better than the ES, IMHO). The Satellite radio is terrific. A quality issue with the windshield, that may require replacement. But overall I am very pleased with my purchase.

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  As good as my 5 series - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By mrjwk - March 31 - 3:13 am

  I have only owned this car for 2 weeks, so I cant judge reliability yet. However, after owning 2 BMW 5 series sedans, I can say that this car is their equal in terms of comfort and performance. This may relate to my driving style, which is not real aggressive, so I appreciate that the suspension on the LS is tuned a little softer. Car is a joy to drive, front seats are very comfortable, and reports from the back seat are that there is plenty of room. The wood grain interior accents get lots of compliments. Stereo sound is excellent (audiophile option). Gas mileage is not great, but I knew that going in (still, in mixed driving, I am averaging 18 mpg). I would recommend this car.

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  Drove a Zephyr bought an MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Michael - March 28 - 7:26 am

  Excellent car. The 3.5 L engine really stands out from the previous 3.0 L in the Zephyr (which I bought one used for my Mother). Fuel economy is still down from what I would expect, but this car blows away the competition for the price. I love the light tan interior and light colored wood. I was surprised that the moon roof, when closed, doesnt add interior noise as I feared it would. I have the THX-II radio in this car and although it sounds very good, I am disappointed in the bass level, especially with two 6 X 9" "sub- woofers" with that spacious trunk as an enclosure. The bass is just not there as it is on the regular standard radio! Rock and roll requires some thumping bass!

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  I love this car... - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By dyns - March 28 - 5:33 am

  Until this car, I have always owned a GM product. Then in January I rented a Lincoln Town Car for a vacation. Was I in for a treat; rides like a dream, good fuel efficiency considering car size and weight and you can transport 4 large adults in total comfort. Few other vehicles can do this.