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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  My Blackwood - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By perrydog - November 3 - 10:00 pm

  This truck tops them all. If you want luxury that can tow 9,000 lbs, this is the only ticket. Interior rivals any luxury car. The ONLY option is the Nav system, which I bought. Leather, A/C and heat for the seats, power retracting mirrors, moonroof, Alpine MONSTER sound system...they didnt leave anything out. 300 HP with the 32 valve DOHC powerplant really pulls the load.

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  Fantastic - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By dsw - November 3 - 7:23 am

  Researched and drove a number of crossovers before purchasing the Lincoln MKX. The MKX was quieter and handled better than the Lexus RX 350. The MKX, in my opinion, is a better value-offering more options and toys than many other similar crossovers. While the MKX is slightly longer than the 2008 RX 350, the new 2009 RX 350 will be 5" longer in 2009 and a new design. While some have complained that the MKX seats are too firm ,we actually like the firmness.The Ford Sync and the navigation systems are fantastic. Very user friendly. Climate controls are extremely easy to use and uncluttered. Great acceleration. Brakes are a little soft. Gas mileage somewhat disappointing so far, but all SUVs are

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  REAR SEAT DESIGN - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By SUASN BROWN - November 1 - 2:00 am

  DO PEOPLE WITHOUT CHILDREN EVER GET INVOLVED IN YOUR DESIGN PROCESS? SOME OF US ACTUALLY DO HAVE LIVES THAT INVOLVE THE USE OF A COMFORTABLE 4WD SUV WITH OUT CHILDREN. I NEED A LOT OF HEATED OPEN SPACE INSIDE MY VEHICLE. WE DO NOT HAUL CHILDREN OR REAR SEAT PASSERGERS,EVER!! IM A LADY TAAT WEARS SKIRTS AND DRESSES AND WANTS THE SAFTEY AND CONVENIENCE OF A 4WD SUV. I WILL NEVER OWN A MINI VAN. AND PICK UP TRUCKS ARE FOR HAULING HAY AND PULLING TRAILERS.

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  She Made the Choice - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By gardnpc - October 31 - 10:56 pm

  My wife did all the research and selected this over the Mazda CX-9 and Highlander. Its her car! We got the Creme Brulee with Camel interior and she just loves it. The sticker was just over $39,000 and we did the deal for $35,000 even. We went to dealer equipped with the Edmunds TMV analysis and it saved us quite a bit of haggling. We drove the Edge as well, but the Lincoln suspension and interior quality is a big upgrade. Doesnt feel like the same vehicle. We really like the Vista roof and heated/cooled seats. She thinks its nearly like a convertible. Reliability has been excellent. We like the fact it burns regular gas. All in all, a very nice package.

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  Nice car, not without its little flaws. - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By JulesH - October 31 - 9:43 pm

  Very comfortable inside, a joy to drive, handles so well, lots of power, 3rd row seat. Very poor gas mileage. More rear seat room needed. The only problems Ive had since ownership are a piece of plastic near the side back window that became partially unglued and flapped as I drove, and the steering has a squeaky feel to it when parking/driving slow in parking lots. One other thing is that in hot weather, the car often refuses to lock itself and behaves as if a door is open when it is not. I also frequently have to slam the rear gate or the vehicle light will stay on and I get a "liftgate open" message.

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  Improvement needed - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Joe - October 31 - 1:10 pm

  My second. 1998 was a quiet, reliable vehicle with over 115,000 miles. 2006 has only 6,000 miles is very noisy up to 60 mph, leaks oil and has a navigation system that works sometimes. Quality has gone downhill. I have been to the dealer 3 times to repair the oil leak. What a disappointment from my previous Navigator.

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  fall in love - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By 2ND NAVIGATOR - October 31 - 10:00 am

  beautiful automobile. turned in a 98 Nav. No comparison. The new one drives like a car, not a truck. Feels solid and powerful

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  The best luxury car, ever. - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Silvester - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my best luxury car. I has one DeVille, but the TownCar is much better. The best.

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  Lovin It - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rich - October 30 - 5:06 pm

  Have enjoyed owning this SUV, even though gas prices sometimes make it hurt. Its always performed superbly and reliably.

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  Consumers have lost a great luxury vehicle - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By lvmylincoln - October 29 - 3:10 pm

  I have read Edmunds review of the Lincold Towncar and in my opinion, it was written by someone who is only into sports vehicles and small vehicles. I have owned Lincoln Towncars since 1980, in fact, my wife and I both drive Towncars and both have loved the Towncar since our first, which was a 1980 Mark. These vehicles have always gotten better gas mileage that the standard Ford, Chevrolet or Chrysler product. They have cost us less to operate and repair than any vehicle we owned prior to the Lincoln. They have gone through several major style changes since 1980 and are still the most luxurious ride. This includes all the foreign & domestics.