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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  Hot MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Kris D - August 29 - 6:03 pm

  I like the strong and smooth quiet ride. Look at the consumer reports evaluation of this vehicle, it is a best buy and best of all it is not your grand dads car.

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  my 03 navigator, - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By hapaschold - August 29 - 2:00 am

  overall my 03 navigator is a vast improvement over previous models, an 1999 and 2001.. couple issues, but minor, - power mirrors do not function properly - climate control seats seem to have timer, works only 12-14 minutes - arm rests would be nice added feature - black brake dust on rims is never ending since new, very hard to clean

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  Awesome LS but... - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Pete - August 28 - 3:53 am

  04 LS is just awesome to drive and look at and want to be in all the time but, fuel mileage is terrible in city and transmission. Has been in dealer shop twice now and is going back again due to jerky shifts, bucking uphills even after replacing trans solenoids.

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  My Car - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Flatlander - August 27 - 8:00 am

  I love this car. It rides like it is floating, bumps are hardly felt. On our trip last year we had 28 MPG overall. I want a new Town Car but I only have 23000 miles on this one, so I will wait a few more years.

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  Young Lincoln owner LOVING the MKZ - 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
  By HybridZ - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I had a Lexus LS430 and a VW Jetta TDI and I decided to have the best of both worlds by combining luxury and efficiency. The MKZ Hybrid was what I kept coming back to, but I was not too keen on the "senior" stigma with Lincolns. I bit the bullet in 9/10 and ordered an MKZ Hybrid in Bordeaux Reserve with the Cashmere Executive Package and Ultimate Package. I LOVE this car and have no regrets. Lincoln may not command the snob appeal of other brands, but I am satisfied to be one of the first owners of a Lincoln Hybrid. As a pioneer (younger Lincoln owner) I hope to be a part of Lincolns renaissance. This car is great on many levels and the Lincoln Touch/Sync is amazing.

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  SYNC my ride - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By JRboca - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Only had a few weeks! Gotta love the electronics inside this car. Got just the basic car which was loaded but no nav. Not sure why youd want nav since they give you turn-by-turn nav free for three years. The Sync system is better than ever (I had an 08 MKX) Ive found Im a much safter drive with Sync. Love the MyTouch system. Initial commuting mileage is about 22 so Ill take it.

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  The Good. Bad, the Ugly - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By sverige - August 25 - 6:15 pm

  At last a Ford product that doesnt need four acres to turn around. Peppy adequate engine with and excellent handling. Blind spot warning great, as is backup monitor. Interior is very quiet. Some road noise but the OE tires are not the quietest in the world. Front seats from hell. Probably OK for fat, obese people but anyone lesser needs a pillow for sit comfort if going over 50 mies. The remote trunk opening switch is perfectly located to bump with your knee when the driver enters at least 3 our of four times. Rear head restraints block out part of rear view vision. Good fit and finish.

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  Great Luxury, Workmanship, Handling - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Peter NM CT. - August 25 - 12:00 am

  This vehicle exceeeds expectation, I looked at the Lexus RX in Greenwich CT. It was small. The workmanship, quality, and fuel economy are great in this American product.

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  5 years and still loving it - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Cory - August 24 - 8:36 pm

  Probably one of the best vehicles Ive ever owned. I have driven this 03 for five years now with no serious problems. Has plenty of horsepower and has handled well in all weather conditions. A few small maintenance issues such as a faulty door or lift gate sensor that has the vehicle thinking a door is open (dome light stays on) and a reverse sensor is out. Ive owned foreign vehicles that have had less maintenance visits to the dealership but none of them have matched the comfort, styling and overall driving experience. Would like to see better gas mileage but what do you expect for an AWD SUV?

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  Best New car I ever owned. - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Lincoln MKZ - August 24 - 3:16 pm

  The outside and interior design is the best Ford Motor Co, ever has done for a new car in many years. The modern instrumentation is excellent with the added benefit of very modern computer that manages many of the previous problems like air prressure in the tires, oil, and other areas too numerous to name. Comfort is also excellent with the added benefit of the memory system in the drivers seat and outside mirror positions. The trunk size is extremely large and with the fold down rear seat backs adds excellent space. The steering wheel design is an extra design I really like.