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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  "My Lincoln LS Experience!" - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By ALPHA37 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  My Lincoln LS V8 dominates the road, is attractive, and classy!! Consistently.

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  Very Pleased - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Jim - February 26 - 4:26 am

  Very pleased with the MKZ. The ride is great and the comfort is excellent. Have had many compliments on the car. MPG is in the mid-20s.

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  Great Car blows Cadillac STS hands down - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By Great Car - February 25 - 12:00 am

  great car, lots of power, great styling, nav system is great, smooth shifting and riding car, truly a solid car.

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  unique - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By Joe Thomas - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Has all the bells and whistles. This is the first vehicle that I have ever owned that I have to conduct a tour almost every time I stop.

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  Riddick review of lincoln ls - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By John Riddick - February 23 - 6:00 am

  This is my third LS and I absolutely love it. All have been the V8, so cant really comment on the V6. Its sporty enough and responsive enough to be a great car, and for the type, I dont think it was that expensive.

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  Great car, one perplexing shortcoming - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By sc4774 - February 22 - 12:33 pm

  I have 4 kids and a dog and live in the snow belt so I need a 7 passenger vehicle with 4WD. My Ecoboost has amazing driving dynamics. Edmunds review is off base. MKT is worth more than a Flex as it is a lot more luxurious and has different cache. I also own an Enclave (also great but very different) and turned in an LR3 (not so great) as my previous car and compared Flex, R-Class, XC90, Commander and LR4 for this purchase. Perplexing and disturbing discovery made after purchase... MKT has a partially disabled SYNC system. Check out the website and flick thru the cars. The list of features is cut in half for MKT. Focus has the full suite and the MKT is handicapped!?!

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  MKZ update - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By teechee - February 17 - 12:20 pm

  Took the car on the road for a weekend trip. It handled flawlessly. Quiet, nimble, quick and smooth. I discovered that the car also has a lane keeping system that tightens the steering wheel should you drift out of your lane. The car has just over a thousand miles and the gas mileage is quite impressive. I have the 4 cylinder AWD. Cant wait to try it in the snow.

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  Lincoln Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By A. Curcio - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Runs on 87 Octane which is a plus. Has traction control and handles very good. A giantic trunk!, fold down seats and heat and air cooled seats. I thin it is a great buy for the money

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  2003 Lincoln Aviator premium Edition - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Rancher - February 10 - 2:56 am

  This vehicle rocks. purchased new I now have over 130,000 miles and still going strong. The ride and comfort is still exceptional. While this model does not have stability control or the roll over features it is a great vehicle. The car can be at a comfortable 70-75 miles per hour, and then go into passing mode quickly with no lag and hit over 90 with ease, and yeah I have done that both new and with current total miles. The engine is strong and sure. I am now having an issue with the differential and am looking for another Aviator to purchase. I have towed a 21 ft boat, two jet skies, with this car,(no, not all at once) and it still tracks smoothly with no sway. Would buy this again.

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  The Lincoln of the future. - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By CGGorman - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Thinking about a BMW? Audi? Lexus? Infiniti? Forget about the imports. This AMERICAN sports sedan will rock your world! Dont believe the luke- warm press, test drive one for yourself. The LS is the finest sports sedan America has ever produced. By many enthusiasts it is thought to be as- good or better-than the import competition. Support America and see Lincoln in a whole new light. Buy a LS. You wont regret it.