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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  Great Compromise - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By MechEngineer - January 27 - 2:30 am

  The LS looks great in a classy understated way, and it is very comfortable on long highway runs - its a Lincoln. However, on our many 2-lane blacktop roads here in East Tennessee, its superior handling and powerful V-8 passing ability make this fine car a real pleasure.

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  What a ride!!!!! - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By Razorbacker - January 26 - 3:13 pm

  I bought this Designer Series Town Car with 7000 miles on it. It is so nice, such a civilized ride. Nice seats, gauges and controls, I dont know what more you can ask for. Two years of ownership and NEVER to the dealer for repairs, never!!!! Gas mileage highway 25mph or better, in town 21mph...It is not a sports car, it is a luxury car and it behaves like it...

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  1997 Lincoln Continental - a great car. - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Barb - January 25 - 9:06 am

  This is a nice, solid, dependable, good on gas for the size car. There is plenty of luxury in itand I found the best buy for the money was this car (I bought it off lease with a few miles on it). Nevertheless, this car is really comfortable, and it can get onto a highway with the shortest of ramps and out of anyones way with ease. Surprisingly, it got better gas mileage than advertised. In 3 years nothing needed service beyond the norm. I also felt that this was a very safe car to have kids in, especially because it has 5 shoulder straps.

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  Flying the Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By brandon - January 25 - 5:03 am

  i love driving this suv. i actually enjoy driving to work now because the aviator is such a joy to drive. the stereo is fantastic, and the ride is so smooth that is feels like you are flying. the steering is easy and smooth as well. the HID lights are a big plus at night as well. the aviator is loaded with all kinds of gadgits and i love gadgits. over all, i love the vehicle. it has a few problems, but since most of the aviators are discounted right now, you can get a brand new one for 20,000 less than a bmw or mb.

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  Best Truck I ever owned (so far) - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By 4thewinner - January 22 - 9:43 pm

  My last truck was a dodge & I liked it, I drove a few of the other ones out there & this was hands down the nicest of them. I had to drive a truck for work for many years.I can now drive anything I want(retired:)Im very happy with my choice.

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  Is it a Car or is it a Truck? - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By JR - January 21 - 9:56 pm

  It definitely is not a typical truck or car. Its sort of a new catagory. What it is is a truck with a trunk, a very large trunk but, not too deep. Ita blast to drive. It handle quite well for a 5,900 pound vehicle. Everything works just the way it should. I think youll enjoy this ride.

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  Worst Ever - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Worst Ever - January 21 - 3:43 pm

  In 4 months of ownership, my MKX has been in the dealers shop almost half that time for a slipping transmission and other problems. I just got it back after 42 days and its the same as when I took it in. Some of the key fob functions still dont work after 3 attempts to fix them. In the short time it was not in the shop I took it on a 1200 mile trip and in addition to the lousy gas mileage, I had to make frequent stops because of the rock hard seats. Do yourself a favor and dont even consider purchasing one of these.

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  My Town Car - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Dakotaben - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. i have always wanted one and i found a Cartier, which is the hardest one to get. i wanted a 97 but I settled for the 96. All in all it is a very good car, gets decent gas mileage when driven easily, when driven rough then you pay for it at the pump. Very good car. I have the cloth roof with chrome wheels and ivory paint. Beautiful car.

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  The true meaning of luxury... - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By John Neilson - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this SUV much better than the unsafe Escalade. With so many more advantages over the big rival, the Navigator should be favored as much as it was before the 2002 Escalade.

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  2000 Cartier Review - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By Doc DBM - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Did not like this one like our 1986 and our 1992 Lincolns. It had fewer features than either of them and was listed at over $50,000. Did not have features that GM cars had.