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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  The Rock - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Henry - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I have now owned this vehicle 7 yrs. It has been one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. The only problems that I have had was with the air conditioner which died after about 4yrs. I had it repaired and I have never looked back. I have 2 kids and we have spent lots of time in this SUV. It has a DVD player and an awesome stereo. We have taken many trips in it on vacation and it is very comfortable. We often eat out at fast food joints and we can park and eat our food in the comfort of our navigator just like home. We have many memories in our "Gator" that we will cherish for years. If and when it dies I will probably buy another. 171,000 miles and counting.

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  Perfect Except for Mileage - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By Car Man - March 9 - 10:11 pm

  We love the car after 5 weeks, but the gas mileage is really poor. We are lucky if we get 17 combined. Its hard to believe that its this low. I drive a 2011 BMW 535Xi and drive it hard and get 23+. Lincoln needs to work on this for next versions. Other than this, would highly recommend the 2017 MKC.

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  MKX x off the others! - 2014 Lincoln MKX
  By David Liming - March 8 - 3:02 am

  Room and lots of it. High tech everything 4wd is a waste of money. 2wd works fine for Ohio. Towing a small 5 x 8 trailer with this car was no problem on a 3000 mile trip. Drove the 2015 and up model and I do not like it, way too small.

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  Back to the Best for us. - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By lwink - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Since 1982, we have owned and driven Lincoln Town Cars. Except for the last three years when we tried a Cadillac. The Cadillac was a nice vehicle BUT it WAS NOT the same as a Lincoln. We are much happier with the Lincoln Town Car than any other vehicle we have tried or driven. The comfort, amenities and safety features are top notch!

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  Simply Awesome!!! - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Scott G - March 7 - 6:17 pm

  What a car! Was leaning towards a BMW 7 series and drove the Lincoln hands down a way better car for way less money.

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  Not the comeback car I hoped for - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By royals - March 7 - 12:00 am

  I havent owned a Ford product since 1984 (to me this is more Ford than Lincoln) and have owned no American vehicles since 1996. I have been dying to come back to American cars and this was to have been the triumphant return for me. While I was wowed by the exterior design, it stops for me there. I am 6ft tall and mid fifties. I think the new average buyers age. I bump my head every time I get in the car (roof too short). Lumbar support is poor, quality of the leather interior is not plush and comfortable (what I consider luxury is a plush interior) and I have never once gotten 40 mpg much less higher. I do not drive over 70 on the highway and am definitely not a speeder.

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  Great Car - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By D French - March 6 - 5:40 pm

  Two weeks and this is a great car. Great features and nicely priced. Commute every day and am maintaining 22.5 mpg. Make sure you check out th e"standard" features - early 08s do not come with Microsoft Sync, regardless of what the Lincoln website and marketing materials say.

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  Full size luxury - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Brian G - March 6 - 5:03 pm

  Love these full size frame constructed Fords. Fantastic mileage (23.9 avg), tremendous safety, nice smooth ride. No electrical gremlins like the Cadillac suffer from. Plastic trim is a bit cheap looking, but overall the interior is extremely nice and the fit is good. Sold my 2003 Navigator and moaned for weeks about not having a Lincoln in the "stable", so this one is replacing my 2002 Crown Vic as my highway car.

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  Rugged, Dependable, Smooth, Quiet... - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By 0rnery - March 5 - 7:09 pm

  Why is the panther platform the 1st choice for patrol cars, taxi and livery service? For the very same reason its MY 1st choice! Built like a bull, quiet as a mouse and smooth as a... panther. I repair my own cars as much as possible, and these cars break down the least of any, and when they do, theyre cheap and easy to fix. Not to mention the inherent safety of a full size, body on frame vehicle. Just took delivery of a 2006 Designer and its no different than my previous Town Cars and Grand Marquis in comfort and roominess. This platform has been tweaked to perfection as far as drive-ability.

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  Lincoln Town Car - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By Fred J Rogers - March 4 - 2:20 pm

  This is an excellent car for long distance travel. One can drive all day and not be worn out at the end of the days drive.