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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  Definitely not my Grandpas Lincoln! - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By MKC Convert - July 28 - 1:38 pm

  This gem of an SUV caught my eye at the March car show. I owned an Acura RDX and was in the market for a new SUV. I was actually planning to buy another RDX, but the MKC on display in the Ford/Lincoln section begged a closer look. Lincoln offered a $75.00 gift card to schedule a test drive at a later date, so thats exactly what I did. I was sold on the Lincoln once I drove the model with the continuous dampening control drive system. Ill admit it took a little while to get past the "old fogey" label associated with Lincoln. Once I did, however, it became a matter of finding the right color combination in a Reserve trim level WITH the drive control system. Three months later, I bought my new MKC. It rides like a dream and is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out. The only true annoyance is the lack of a real tire pressure monitoring system (you know, the one that tells you the tire pressure in each tire). The indicator light recently flashed a low tire pressure warning, but unlike my RDX (and recent Hyundai rental), that was all the information I got. No fun trying to locate my tire pressure gauge and figure out which tire had the problem IN THE DARK. Hopefully Ford will consider adding a true TPMS to its vehicles in the future.

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  fairbury - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Fairbury - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Our Navigator has been very reliable for us. We have had few machanical problems with accessories only which have all been taken care of under warranty. No engine or drive train issues have been experienced.

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  Whatta Deal - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Floridian - July 25 - 5:20 pm

  An unbelievable fun car to drive. Bought a 2009 "leftover" with a great rebate from the manufacturer. Looked around at a lot of mfgs and models and the MKS stood out. No regrets in purchasing this vehicle or the value for the money. Thanks to edmunds.com, was able to negotiate a good deal, actually got a better price for this new vehicle (only had 110 miles) than Edmunds had listed for a Certified Pre- Owned.

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  Love my Navigator <3 - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Vinnie - July 24 - 12:35 pm

  Absolutely love the Lincoln Navigator this is my 2nd one and I also had the Aviator. I cant say enough about it. It is exactly what I look for in a car. Very true lincolns quote from the 90s which they should still use ..Lincoln ..what a luxury car should be. Anyhow its wonderful its just about everything combined into one. Luxury of a sedan the towing of a pick up truck and the room of a minivan. Navigator I believe has to be the best car on the road ..aside from the rolls Royce phantom of course although it has the inspired grill so there you go. The options on the navigator are above and beyond its competitors. Love the keyless entry code pad I use that all the time . No key needed to enter the car! Love how the seats fold flat in both 2nd n 3rd row . Its comfortable no matter which seat you seat in and driving is great with the air ride suspension. Heated and colder seats Are one of my favorite options along with the parking sensors would not know want to do without them. The mirrors tilt down ward in reverse , can be optioned with power running boards that step out with the door opens , power third row seating folds down , power Lift gate , amazing sound system for The radio and DVD player. I love the car. Could Never imagine not owning one. Its A head turner for sure everybody loves it and always have attention driving or parking it. Mine is in the pearl tri coat best color with the light ivory interior. Now for The cons first is the gas ..i currently am getting only 12mpg however you pay for what you get the quality is unparalleled . The navigator does not have get up and go acceleration because its so heavy so dont expect a sport car. Lastly the navigator is can be difficult I. Parking lots , drive ways. Most parking spots barely accommodate the navigator properly usually its tight and risky. Minimum Matniance never needed anything out of the ordinary. Dealer service is superb Anyways 5 stars ! American made luxury full size suv best in class forever!

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  great driving, but... - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ron - July 22 - 10:23 am

  I bought the car used, fantastic ride. I put in an aftermarket stereo system and used the JBL speakers that were stock. I really enjoy this car. The intake manifold may crack as mine did and will cost at least $250 to replace if you DIY. FORD knows about this problem and made a better replacement. (engineering brain cramp) The dealership wanted $1100+ for the fix - wow Other than a few minor problems, its a keeper. 97 is the last of the long land yaght body style but I think it is still more appealing than the newer models. The 97 also has a better front end (lights/grill) than older models. Mine is equipped with the digital dash - Nice!

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  Third LS 8 - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Arnholt - July 22 - 10:00 am

  This, as usual is a fine car, however, I think the system is off somewhere. When I turn the corner it jerks. It jerks quite often. None of our other cars have done this. It is not smooth on take-off (it acts like the old hydra- matic shift of the fifties Oldsmobile. I wonder if we have a lemon. No one really wants to believe me. I have loved the LS over any other car we have had. I have logged many, many miles since I was 15 and have driven almost all makes. I like the fact that when you hit the accelerator on the highway it immediately rises to the occasion. I am seventy (female) and do not drive like a woman.

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  Good car for the money - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Talkwjohn - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my Navigator this is the second one I had after shopping every SUV in this size it was the best with the coolest features for the price.

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  Finally Received 2013 MKZ Hybrid - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By tomstrie - July 18 - 2:15 pm

  Well, I finally got mine a hybrid even though it was not the one I ordered. A similar one came to another dealer and my dealer got it for me. So far it is absolutely beautiful, I have gone over it with the proverbial fine tooth comb and can find no flaws. The Crystal Champaign paint is flawless. They really did their homework on this car. With the short time I have had it the mileage shows around 40.1 mpg. I am really impressed with the quietness of the vehicle and the smoothness of the transition from electric to gas. With the car arriving so late I thought of cancelling and waiting for the 2014 but, I am glad I finally got one.

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  Lots of small problems - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By kg - July 16 - 9:00 pm

  The car drives well. The headrests are extremely uncomfortable because they are slanted forward force you to lean forward. I have had my MKX back at the dealer about every 2 weeks for minor problems such as inserting screws into a panel in front of the rear passenger side wheel that werent inserted when I bought the vehicle. My interior drivers side light went out and I took that to the dealer to be fixed. They said that a connector was loose and that they fixed the problem. Now, a couple of weeks later, the interior drivers side light is out again and I have to take it back to the dealer. If I wanted to spend time getting things fixed, I would have bought a project car not a 2007 Lincoln!

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  what a bmw in the dust? - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By EURO - July 14 - 10:00 am

  hell i had the 2002 and i thought it was amaizing after of course i added the much needed blower to that engine....i have no clue why a lot of ppl buyed the s-type jag when they could have had the same car in a LS. Whith a eaton charger, intake, and exhaust i was pushing 400hp crank and hell i loved pulling up to some kid in a coupe and showing him who the boss is. i added 18 by 9.5 on the back and 18 by 9 on front with pole position tires and put on eibach lowering spring (suspension is adjustable so no need to spend there) 2 strut bars and there you have it ladies and gents.