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:

• 

  Concerns / Quality & Reliability - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Robert Lorenzo - September 11 - 6:40 pm

  To all, I have been reasearching & paying close attention to vehicles of all makes and I would say that the domestic market is using strategies: "Employees Price" to sell cars and SUV that dont meet the minimum standard of quality, Reliability and safety needed in most cars. I have experienced it my self. I have been driving a 2005 Lincoln Town Car since February 2005, and I have encountered many problems. Trouble with Moon Roof Installation, Draft around the front passenger doors, Electronic trunk opener, Bad odor from the A/C and horn unoperational due to new design on the steering wheel. Body & bumpers durability not meeting expectation. The last and most important: unreliable service.

• 

  yes yes yes - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By djasie - September 10 - 3:26 pm

  I am absolutely pleased that I purchased this automobile. 5 years interest free is a nice incentive. It is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. I still learning all the bells and whistles.

• 

  My 2006 designer series town car - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By DR POOL - September 10 - 2:13 am

  I have been driving lincoln since 1972. My 2003 and 2006 are without a doubt the best 2 lincolns i have ever had. I added the navigation system to the 2006 and after figuring out how to use it, i read the book 4 times, it is a miraculous accessory. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lincoln town car is the finest riding automobile in the industry. It performs well, although it needs a 5 speed transmission instead of the 4 speed, but when it shifts into second, it really moves. The gas mileage is fantastic for such a big car and uses 87 octane gasoline. In this day and age, the 87 octane saves you a lot of money. Orchids to lincoln for manufacturing a great automobile.

• 

  Love My Early Build 10/99 LS! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By ls1bmw0 - September 5 - 8:20 am

  I purchased my 2000 LS in October 1999. It was an early build model built in July 1999. I have 68,000 miles on it and it has been the most trouble-free car I have owned. Power is adequate, roominess is larger than a BMW 5-series, and the handling is phenomenal! For a car this size it handles like a much smaller German sports sedan. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a luxury sports sedan.

• 

  2002 Blackwood - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By Thomas May - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Comfortable, Best riding vehicle I have ever owned. A real looker!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Aviator #1 - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By johny0909 - September 4 - 4:40 am

  I bought the aviator a couple of weeks ago for my wife. The fit and finish is fantastic. Power and handeling are great. It was my wifes choice, it was a good one. I drive it every when she is not! Delivery was outstanding. Lincoln has made some excellent improvements.

• 

  My Navigator - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Bob Drake - September 3 - 6:50 pm

  I have owned nine saburbans and one Expidition over the years I was in business. The handling and comfort is far superior to the other vehicles. The Expidition was close. I see where Ford is building a vehical similar to the suburban, I would be interested if Lincoln would also build one similar to the Cadilac Escalade XL.

• 

  Wanted one for a while. Finally got it. - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Caleb - September 2 - 10:00 am

  My first car was a 84 Grand Marquis and it made me love big cars but knew the town car was the top dog in luxury cars so I wanted a Town car. Finally bought this 97 a couple weeks ago and I love it! Im 22 and everybody makes fun of me but I love it. So comfortable,plenty of power, and gets over 23mpg. It has tons of awesome features my 04 mustang dont even have. I stopped at a store yesterday and when I came out the car was smoking. Apparently the intake manifold malfunctioned and anti-freeze was everywhere. Seeing its a common problem Im not too upset. I just hope it dont cost too much to fix so I can get it back on the road and enjoy it some more.

• 

  Best Decision.... - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By chloe101 - September 2 - 3:14 am

  We traded in our Fusion 2010 hybrid for a Lincoln MKZ hybrid after testing both hybrid models for 2013. We are not disappointed in choosing the Lincoln over the Fusion. The vehicle drive wonderfully and meets all our expectations for luxury. We do have a couple of minor issue that has to with the placement of the navigation system and use of the my-Lincoln touch system. It is difficult to view the navigation system at times because of the sun. The navigation/my-Lincoln touch system console tends to hold fingerprints more than the my-Ford touch system. This should have been thought of with the design, but otherwise this is only thing we have noticed. The car drives great with 40 mpg.

• 

  Luxury & Performance - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By sclark8 - August 30 - 5:36 pm

  This is the most fun car to drive I have ever owned. I find myself taking 80 mile trips just to get some milk. I have owned BMW in the past and will not go back to the overpriced German car. Great Car