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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  Awesome - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By CHRISTIE - June 28 - 3:33 am

  AS this being my first SUV purchace and may i say a forced purchace (I am a real sporty performance driven girl myself) As a new mother and needing more room I opted for the aviator for not only its looks inside and out, the roomiiness and luxury sold me ... not only that 3rd row seating.... The V8 still got out of its own way...unlike its suv look alikes ( which by the way had no more room than my A6 Audi in the back) still love it one year later, It is my new livingroom. Clee

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  Great Car - 2014 Lincoln MKT
  By william creekmore II - June 27 - 5:40 pm

  Never own a car that I enjoyed more. I have owned Cadillacs for over the last 30 years. I use to trade every two years. I have complaints of Cadillacs , but this Lincoln rides the best of any car I have every owned.

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  I hate my Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By I hate my car!! - June 27 - 9:30 am

  I bought my car 3 years ago and it has been nothing but a problem. I will never, ever buy another Ford/Lincoln again. Everything is very costly. My car needs repairs that cost well over 2000 dollars and the stupid car is only worth 1800! I do not recommend anyone purchasing this car.

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  is there a ford in your future ? - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By charles - June 26 - 6:03 am

  was driving a mercury sable and missed the lincoln style ride, saw the mkz at my local dealer and it sold itself made the deal and the rest is pure driving pleasure.

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  2006 Mark LT - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Barry McCahill - June 25 - 10:16 pm

  Love this truck. Fit and finish are outstanding. Nothing to take back to dealer for adjustments. Get lots of "thumbs up" from onlookers. Very comfortable ride Very satisfied and I would buy again.

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  king of the road - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By jim mullenix - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Class act for a redesigned vehicle. the interior design and control functions are at a fingers reach. As a realtor, this suv fulfills all my needs.

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  Bought used with 105,000 miles... - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By s80sux - June 20 - 1:53 pm

  The Lincoln Town car is a great car! This vehicle feels heavy,well constructed, safe and gives me an overall sense of well being. Buying a used car I was nervous about older cars being unreliable but after reading reviews of other owners stating thier vehicles reliablilty, I decided to buy one!

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  Most Unreliable Car I ever Owned - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Joe - June 20 - 7:13 am

  I regret the purchase. Lincoln does not stand for quality or luxury. Its just a Ford with a different emblem. Its eaten two batteries in less than 9 months. Ford & the dealer are not standing behind this flawed product. The thing is assembled in Mexico where Ford has quality control issues. The interior finishings are sub-par for a "luxury" car, but fine if it was Ford branded. The touted 1 year maintenance plan is actually a downgrade from a 3 year plan that use to be inclusive. The only good thing about the car is the smooth ride. But that is because it has a Jaguar suspension. But it also has Jaguar electrical systems which are chronically flawed, hence its taste for batteries.

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  problems - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jthib - June 20 - 2:00 am

  side impact airbag deployed just riding down the road, transmission failed at apx. 45,000mi, poor handling for its class. nice car but very overpriced and rides more like a sports car than a sedan

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  I wanted to like it - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Bill Glass - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I turned in my 2001 for the 2004. I want my 2001 back. Ride is far superior to 2001, brakes are far superior to 2001 and stability is much improved, but. ......... there is too much wind noise, and the new transmission has very weird shift points, and you find yourself always up at 2200/2600 rpm until it finally upsifts. The navigation system is not what I expected. Plus you cannot alter your route or preferences once you pass 9 mph.The funny thing is that the two cup holders up front will not hold the travel mugs Lincoln give you, the handles collide. The new sound system is not as good as the 2001 where you could adjust acoustics