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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  Another notch to put on Fords gun - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By datagen - December 24 - 7:36 am

  As with many Ford products, many do not know how good Lincolns are. I have a 2004 Taurus, a 2006 Zephyr, and now my 2009 MKS. After doing the research at the Detroit International Auto Show this year, I order this car the following month. I have had it about 2 weeks now and I can tell you, it was worth the wait. You can see and feel the styling and luxury in this vehicle throughout. You can appreciate the long hours involved in the designed and engineering. There is no doubt that you get a lot of car for the money. I am current getting 18.3 mpg in the city. Not bad for a AWD.

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  Cadillac VS. Lincoln - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Timothy J, Wheeler - December 23 - 12:20 am

  I know this sounds weird but I am actually the owner of a 2001 cadillac Deville. (my dream car since I was 6). I Know several people who drive TCs of all years. My main point is that I was a die hard Cadillac fan but after riding with my friend in his 01 TC I was no longer sure. Now dont get me wrong I still love the Cadillacs but I am getting tired of all the sky high all the time repair cost of it, after all im only 17 years old. my freinds TC just keeps going wile mine is in the repair shop. NO FAIR..

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  Now its the transmission! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Diana - December 20 - 2:33 am

  Factory ordered. Passenger door air noise and rattle fixed and defective molding on interior fixed. Air conditioner hose soaked driver floor. 16,000 miles later, rear tailgate stopped opening automatically one day. Transmission slipping now at 17,000 miles. From day one, on an incline and going slow while turning steering box noise but Lincoln found "nothing unusual". MPG hwy. 21.7, city 19

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  smooth operator - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By jeff chappel - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I always look forward to driving this vehicle. Smooth ultra comfortable ride. Spacious beyond belief! Third row seats can easily handle two king size adults. Loads of leg room galore.

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  Refreshing! - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Kathys Car - December 20 - 2:00 am

  After much hesitation I made the move to a SUV. The Aviator convinced me. My criteria was it couldnt ride or feel like a truck. It definitely does not. The handling, performance and ride are more than I expected. Coming out of a Mercedes C320, I was concerned to move to a larger vehicle, but the experience so far has me less frustrated with my sometimes 1 hour commute in bumper to bumper traffic. After a very disappointing ride with Mercedes, I am truly excited and refreshed to be back to an impressive American made vehicle.

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  Nice CUV - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Kenny - December 18 - 1:43 am

  Leased my 08 MKX now for a month and it is a pretty good vehicle. I have enjoyed driving it. I get lots of compliments on the looks of the MKX. The car is comfortable to drive and generally easy to manuever. Read below about the brakes. Powerful THX soundsystem is awesome. Roomy for passengers. Overall, I can recommend this vehicle. It just needs to fix a couple things to be considered an elite gotta have vehicle.

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  Nice Car - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Jules Valdez - December 15 - 1:43 pm

  Really fun to drive. Lots of power. Stereo system and Sync are awesome. I get many compliments from people when they see this car. Owned a Caddy before. I like this better.

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  The SUV handles well. It is swell - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Folk - December 15 - 7:40 am

  Made well this vehicle gets a lot of attention because there are not many on the road It is quiet, and handles well in the rain

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  your car is beautiful - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By I love my lincoln - December 14 - 2:00 am

  All round fun, sporty but luxurios car to drive. I love the number of people that tell me that car is beautiful.

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  Past the Honeymoon - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By slchan - December 14 - 2:00 am

  The Navigator was our choice given our criteria of a few specifics such as a "real" third row seat, luxury appointments, and car-like ride. Lincoln did well with the overall exterior/interior design. Quality, on the other hand, is a whole different story. In this area, Lincoln can learn a few things from Toyota. At the end of the day, I like the Navigator. But my next purchase will most likely be a foreign car (read: Toyota).