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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  Unless you make six figures...DONT BUY - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Procks55 - January 26 - 2:16 am

  I bought this when I was in my early twenties before I knew about researching a vehicle, now in my late twenties I know better. I understand vehicles come with some repairs however my list of repairs are ridiculous: Plugs, Coils and Valve cover gaskets replaced on both sides twice, new transmission, new alternator, two bad wheel bearings, bad ball joint, two window regulators (my fault) and my favorite feature is when it is super cold in our MN winters it doesnt like to start very much. What a joke, some of the things listed could pertain to my driving habits but not all of them. All in all unless you are a millionaire forget about it.

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  too much money fo nothing - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By William R. McKay - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I find the equipment in this car much better than the years previous. But this car is still light years behind its compatition. Too many things left undone. The seats in this vehicle are horrible, also, the wind noise can drive you insane. Navigation equipment and a phone system should be standard equipment on this car -- GM has the edge. I am a loyal customer to lincoln, but it will not take much for me to join the compatition.

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  Brake gear shift release - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By mrcatpr - December 4 - 3:43 am

  I have problem with brake gear shift release and is too expensive to correct this problem.

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  Lincoln - 2009 Lincoln Town Car
  By Jonathan Morris - November 24 - 4:50 am

  I purchased this vehicle last year with the input of my wife. Although it is a decent car, after shopping around I realize that my decision might have been ill advised. Not too long ago I took a look at the Acura RL. Offers over 300 hp from a V6 with all wheel drive. The interior quality is far superior as are the combination of 10 airbags, independent suspension and 200 k + Honda reliability. Its hard to believe but my Towncar uses a body on frame design and a live axle which makes for handling about as agile as a lumbering elephant compared to the Acura. My wife may not agree but with GM likely going under, the Towncars time has come and gone.

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  My 07 Navigator L experience - 2007 Lincoln Navigator L
  By dtipainter - November 12 - 5:43 pm

  After looking at several SUVs, we decided to try a Navigator L. We were impressed with the styling, comfort, and size of the vehicle. The heated and cooled seats were a nice idea. Too bad the seats cooling function isnt sized properly to cool on hot days. Roughly 5 months into the ownership, we are quite disappointed in the car.

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  disappointed - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By JR - November 2 - 12:53 am

  I still like the look of this car and it is fun to drive when it works. Seem to have constant problems with it and nothing is ever inexpensive to fix. Just spent over three weeks going between a mechanic and Ford trying to figure out what was wrong (it would miss while idling). We think it is finally fixed after replacing all the boots and coils. I am not trusting that we wont have more problems soon. Our regular mechanic wont touch it. We tried to sell it and no one wants it even though the interior and exterior is in excellent condition. I thought I was getting a high end, high quality car. I have owned several Fords before. I am now questioning if I want to every buy another Ford.

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  Nice Looks, Poor Quality - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By 2000 LS Owner - October 22 - 2:00 am

  The car looks great and has many nice interior features and conveniences. From that perspective, I cant complain. However, I have spent way too much time taking this car to the dealership for repairs. The transmission was replaced at 22K miles. The new one is not much better. 4 Engine coils rusted out and were replaced. The build quality and materials used are definitely sub- standard. There are many rattles and vibrations and noises from the dashboard and the cabin in general. Many of them were fixed only to reappear. The car is an overall dissapointment. Last Lincoln I will buy!

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  Not a bad luxury car. - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Mike Taylor - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Great handling car, lousy center console (cant even find a place to put sunglasses or even a pen). Plastic console construction squeeks terribly. Otherwise, besides the rear window mechanisms falling apart with the windows dropping into the doors (03 Ford has admitted design flaw and warranties window assemblies up to 50k miles). Overall, great car, fun to drive, kind of bland looking, but who cares. Resale value is surprisingly low, which if I was looking for a nice used luxury car, a 00 LS V8 with 50k miles is a steal at $16K.

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  A lot to pay for a nameplate - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By mcnerdy - October 2 - 9:24 am

  Ford needs to get serious about the luxury car game. I had a 2011 Ford Fusion Sport AWD that cost $32k. It was essentially the same car as my $39K, 2012 Lincoln MKZ and it had more features. The only features I gained were; a little quieter ride, a softer suspension, and heated outside mirrors. The features I lost were; Blind Spot Information System, Rear view camera, effects lighting, and alloy wheels. You would think that $7000 would buy you more than a Lincoln emblem!

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  Very Frustrated - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Cinnamons - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car for 4 months and it has been in the shop 7 times for various different things. This has been and extremely frustrating. I love my car I just wish it didnt have so many problems.