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:

• 

  Beautiful Car - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By jack - July 30 - 10:56 am

  I totally love this car inside and out. I look around and this black and chrome machine is better looking than most new cars. I bought it used and it apparently had a significant accident front end so as the car got older. Some annoying things started to wrong. At 125k miles keyless entry stopped working, cruise control, and some interior lights. Then engine light came on. 2 misfiring cylinders. Now I have a periodic check transmission. Despite all this I attribute some of the problems to the accident before I owned it. And am seriously considering re investing to bring car back to 100%. The car is a great ride.

• 

  Not Happy - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By pebe98 - July 28 - 6:25 pm

  We bought the 07 MKZ used in 08 with 5,200 miles. It gets parked for the winter and at this time has 20,200 miles on it. Between the air conditioning and the transmission problems, this car spends more time at the dealership getting fixed and I am paying insurance on a lincoln and am driving a focus loaner. The dealer just had this car for 2 wks fixing transmission, had it back 2 days and is currently at the dealer again with no end date for repairs to be finished. It has officially spent more time in the shop than my 10 year old honda odyssey ever has...Would definitely not trust this car on an extended trip any time soon.

• 

  So far, so good ! - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Steve Provost - July 28 - 2:16 am

  I purchased my 06 Zephyr 3 months ago with 26K miles. So far, I love it! I had intended to purchase a CTS, but when I saw the Lincoln, I realized it had everything I wanted. My car has the moonroof, THX stereo, cooled seats, and (I think)the optional headlights. I didnt realize a Zephyr even existed! Lincoln should have advertised more agressively! The 221 h.p. is less than my last vehicle (oo supercharged Regal,240 h.p)yet I find the performance to be quite acceptable. I really like the smooth shifting 6 speed tranny. The car corners much better than my Buick (too much body roll) and has a quiet ride. Fuel mileage is between 23-28 mpg. Time will tell, but this car seems like a winner!

• 

  Never again..... - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By JoshuaW - July 27 - 10:00 am

  In the short time that I have had the vehicle, I have had NOTHING but problems. Mind you I take very good care of my cars. The car has been at the Lincoln dealer for seven weeks now getting the trans fixed. Lincoln and the dealer REFUSE to give me a loaner. So I am without a car at all. This is the second trans in under 50,000 miles. PLease dont make the mistake I mad and get an American luxury car.....I dont want to see anyone else go thru this.

• 

  The car is not bad - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Kyie - July 10 - 10:26 am

  The car is beautiful inside and out. Always receives compliments. Here are my gripes: just like eveone else is saying, the lenses get foggy. The transmission works, but it shifts like something is wrong with it. This car is not made to be serviced by the owner. No way to check the tranny fluid or replenish the a/c without bringing it to the dealership. Its hard to find a service manual as well. Last but not least, the radio contols on the steering wheel sometimes malfunction. I would never pay top dollar for the car, but if the price is right, good deal.

• 

  94s have issues - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lincoln Man - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Okay, I love Lincolns period. But I must admit, this one doesnt handle as well as my 89 did. Also there is a little secret I didnt know about the "94 4.6 liter engine". It burns oil like no bodys business. When I first bought the car it was fine no smoking. But you let it sit in traffic and then take off, you will have a smoke screen behind you. I am using oils with additives in them and I am still consuming 3-4 quarts of oil between 3000 mile oil changes. I would recommend a newer model.

• 

  Too bad its discontinued - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Kvegas - June 28 - 2:20 am

  Nice powerful 275hp V8. Front drive is good in the snow. Average 19 mpg in mostly city driving (not bad for the way I drive). Very comfortable front heated seats are nice. Handles well. This is my 4th lincoln and my second Continental. I really like the car and my wife likes it too. She just got a 2002 Continental. I dont know what to get to replace this car. I usually trade after 3 years but I may keep this one longer since i dont really know what to get to replace it. My only complaint is with the chrome wheels, the chrome is peeling off the back.

• 

  it works ! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By yogidoc - June 22 - 10:00 am

  traded my porsche 03 cayenne for aviator fully loaded. Porsche killed my back driving in the city, terrrible suspension!Aviator alot more practical and much better value, love high seating postion , handling , and 300 hp much better urban truck,however porsche blows the aviator away on highway....worth not having chronic back problems

• 

  Good Car - Great Value - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By GUT - June 21 - 1:06 am

  As my 2nd LS, the 2002 has been a workhorse. I have had it for seven years, now, and never had many problems with it. The electrical system has had its problems, over the years, but it has always been underr warranty and never been a severe problem. For those who bought a 5- series BMW, you could have saved your money and had a better vehicle. I would buy it again, if Ford hadnt stopped making them! In case you are wondering why the American auto manufacturers cant survive - look no further than this decision!

• 

  Move away from the edge - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Lanis - June 16 - 7:20 pm

  Compared the Edge to the MKX and the MKX is a better value and better looking. Bought the MKX in March with the 20" chrome wheels and black exterior. Looked at an another MKX with the 18" wheels but the 20" looks extra nice. The monochrome limited edition completes the package! Average 18 MPG in mixed driving with no problems at all. Really like the telescoping wheel since I am very tall. Lots of rear seat room as well as room behind the rear seats. Good size for a family of four. Was worried about not having AWD since I live in snow country, but the FWD MKX did extremely well in our last major snowstorm!