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:

• 

  The Kids Love Her - 2008 Lincoln Navigator L
  By John - April 3 - 6:00 pm

  I got this car as a present from my wife & kids, and I have really loved this car! It is a 2008 Navigator L. It is great for taking the kids to school and going to work in. This SUV is my 5th car in 10 years and I think that I am going to keep this car for a long time.

• 

  Lincoln Got it right! - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Gary - April 2 - 7:56 am

  The Lincoln Continental has been one of the most enjoyable, low cost per mile luxury autos Ive ever owned. It now has over 130,000 miles on the car and does not leak anything - still gets 25-26 mpg on the highway. It has been one of the least expensive luxury cars to maintain that Ive ever owned. I put Michelin Hydroedge tires on the car and it handles better than when new! Wish Lincoln still manufactured this automobile. Not too large, not too small. Wonderful automobile!

• 

  Love Every Minute - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By LAB - April 1 - 3:53 am

  After looking at many vehicles I decided on the MKX and have not been disappointed. I have every option available. Ride is great, and gas mileage is what I expected. After almost 2 months I average about 19 in town and most of my drive is surface. Highway has been around 26. Not being an AWD makes a difference in mileage. You can ask for a better buy price wise.

• 

  Not your grandpas car anymore - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By Varun - March 27 - 10:41 pm

  No place to review the TV ads? ;) Must say as a 33 year old and looking for a car that is reliable, sleek, feature rich, sporty yet sophisticated - I didnt think an American car stood a chance. Then Lincoln redesigned the MKZ in 2013 and boy did they do an amazing job! It turned my head whenever I saw one on the road... And Im glad to say the features match the top notch style. I have the 14 MKZ 3.7 v6 FWD. Also has the Tech Package, 19" wheels and THX sound. My highlights: - Exterior look is bold yet sophisticated - interior is exquisite. The touch screens and knob/buttonless center console is awesome! - Noise cancelling technology makes the cabin super quiet - push button transmission! Uh, super cool! - Techology package is a must for adaptive cruise control (read about it), parallel park assist, Lane departure warning & more - the THX sound is incredible! 14 speakers worth of audio bliss - The car handles like a dream, even in snowey conditions and the sports mode is fun for when you want more muscle than fuel economy - every feature you want is included: memory seats, a remote start that works from inside a building, dimming & Heated mirrors, power open/close on trunk, voice control your phone (Siri) plus the car, heated & cooled seats... All of them! Plus heated steering wheel. This car is amazing. Give it a try, its hands down better than all its competitors in overall value, features and perdormance.

• 

  BEST DAMN SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By BARR Y ALVES - March 25 - 2:00 am

  iT IS BY FAR THE BEST PERFORMING SUV ON THE MARKET TODAY!

• 

  From Lexus to Lincoln MKZ - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Mr. Bill - March 20 - 7:15 am

  Just clocked the first 1500 miles om my brand new leased 2017 Lincoln MKZ. In a word everything about this car is great!! My past 5 cars were all Lexus ES 350s but on this trade the dealer let me take a MKZ I liked for the 4th of July weekend and the day I returned it, it was mine. The technology on this car is overwhelming, the comfort is just what my body has always wanted in a car and the looks are demanding attention and good comments from all quarters. I feel truly secure in this car from all perspectives. My Lexus were great cars but Lincoln did Lexus one better this time around with the MKZ. Mr. Bill

• 

  lincon review - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By vivian turner - March 14 - 10:00 am

  i think that it has more then enough power i dont think that you should change anything about it is my favorite car that i own. and it was well worth the prise

• 

  So good, this is my second LS - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Exit32a - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I owned an early 2000 LS V8 and enjoyed the car so much, I ordered a 2003 model as soon as they were introduced. The LS does everything well. From outstanding acceleration to responsive handling, this car exudes poise and class. I should also mention that I bought a new 2002 Thunderbird -- the LSs kissing cousin.

• 

  avator - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By mayer - March 14 - 10:00 am

  wonderful car love it best SUV i ever had

• 

  Great car!! - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Stuart Knoll - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I am very fussy about performance, engineering and the overall package. Since this was a new design I was concerned about reliability and performance. I have not been let down and will buy another LS when the time comes, it compares to any of the higher priced European I have driven. This is a great car at a great price especially if you buy at a program car price one year to 18 months out.