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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  Its aite - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By samiyasmom - January 18 - 5:43 pm

  I have had my Aviator for a year and a half now and back in january I started having problems with it. Sometimes it would start when you got in it and every time i would take it to the lincoln dealership they would keep saying they could do nothing because when i would get it to the dealership it would start up so i got tired of it maybe starting and sometimes not starting that i ended up getting it towed back to the dealership because one day i got in it and it wouldnt start so i ended up buying a new starter and that ended up not even being the problem it was something else so i was frustrated with that.

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  Very pleased owner - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By Donnie Tate - January 18 - 3:16 am

  I bought my Blackwod in June 0f 2002 and it was love at first sight. I tow my 30 camper with no problems. The best part is even after 4 years everywhere I go people still want a private tour. I actually considered trading for the 2006 Lincoln Lt for about 10 seconds. No comparison

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  Great car! - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Eric - January 17 - 9:16 pm

  I bought my LS new in 2001. As of July 2008 I have 144,000 miles on it. Overall this has been a great car. Its a V6 with 5 speed manual trans. The only problems I have had are 2 window regulators (I see this is a common problem but you can replace them yourself its not that hard) and 2 ignition coils that failed. I am still on the original clutch and have only replaced tires and brakes once - at 75,000 miles. Ride and handling are great, power is adequate, and fuel economy is good. I get about 20-22 mpg in normal city driving, and have seen high 20s on freeway trips.

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  Outstanding car - 2010 Lincoln MKS
  By Bob K - January 17 - 8:56 pm

  Driving this car is an absolute pleasure at any speed or surface. The Sync system is incredibly easy to use. It is my favorite vehicle that I have ever owned. I drove everything in its class prior to purchasing and was very happy to be able to buy an American car that is the best.

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  First-time Lincoln Owner - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By displacedtexan - January 14 - 6:36 pm

  Coming out of a 1995 Volvo 850; At 42 Im trying to bring the average age of Lincoln owners down. The LS is a nice balance between the Lexus ES330 (ride too floaty, styling too bland) and the Acura TL (ride too choppy, styling trying too hard). The ride is firm but comfortable; the car corners like its on rails. Styling is not exciting, but it should age well; given the performance its kind of stealth-like. Fit and finish are great, tho some materials and switchgear likely arent up to Lexus/Acura standards. Size is about perfect for city maneuvering. The 6 cyl. offers better acceleration than my Volvos 5 and I have to be careful not to get going too fast on the Interstate.

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  Great car - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Ron Wood - January 11 - 10:32 pm

  One of the best cars Ive ever owned. I normally trade every two years but I have had this one for almost 5 trouble free years.

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  Aviator - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Susu - January 11 - 9:10 am

  We are a growing family and this vehicle has the room and options we were looking for in a SUV.

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  Aviator experience - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Sandra - January 11 - 3:33 am

  I absolutely love my Aviator, I can not express how happy I am with my vehicle. I am 22 years old and I am a college student, I am always running errands and I have lots to carry and everything fits. Overall its a great vehicle.

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  Enjoying A True Bargain American Origina - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Jay Blender - January 10 - 9:00 pm

  Thje LS is my third Lincoln. I began with the 92 Continental which was wonderful until I traded it for the 98 Town Car Touring Edition: the original Touring Edition in Red. What a terrific road car. Ive never driven a 2 ton car that handled as confidentially at the 98 Touring Edition Town Car. Reluctantly, I had to sell it when I moved. The LS apparently was engineered on the successes of the Touring Edition for its tight, quiet and quite fast. It is safe and reflects well on American engineering. It gives about 80% of the performance of the BMW 540 for about twenty-thousand dollars less. Its also roomier and far better styled. BMW wouldnt be my choice now.

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  2004 LS Ultimate - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Bigpinejen - January 9 - 10:00 am

  The LS is fun to drive. I have found the seats to be uncomfortable on a trip. The transmission could be smoother shifting. Overall I really like the styling and performance, especially the handling.