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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  JUST TOO GOOD PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By yababyya - May 20 - 10:00 am

  this is the best vehicle in the world. when ever i am driving in it people always stair at my NAVIGATOR. the interior is so beutiful i feel like the richest perso in the world. all the new featurs like the pwoer lift gate, power third folding seats,power running boards and the power side mirrors. the features are all just overwellming.

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  Love The Nav! - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Don Smith - May 18 - 4:26 am

  Great SUV! Retired and travel back and forth to Arizona pulling a 12 cargo trailer. Has plenty of power and not all that bad of mileage considering the trailer. Get 10 MPG pulling the trailer and between 14 to 16 empty. Usually 14 around town. Only thing I would change is to have more storage inside. Console storage is too small as well as door pockets.

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  Excellent Value - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By bluestreak2 - May 15 - 8:26 am

  I bought a 1999 from an elderly woman a couple years ago with 40,000 miles on it and have only put $800. dollars into it after 50,000 miles for new Michelins and rotors and pads. Minor glitches I have fixed myself, but no cronic problems. The car now has almost 90,000 miles on it. Am trying to find another one with the center console shifter and a 2002 model.

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  Jeff Aviator - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Jeff - May 14 - 5:20 pm

  Extremely smooth riding, comfortable for long trips, very good acceleration. Poor city mileage,aversge highway mileage

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  Love my Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Don Hendricks - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV. I had an X5 and like the Aviator better. I prefer driving it to my E500. I recommend this car. Powerful engine, smooth ride and handles great. Lacks a few features I might like but the plusses make up for any shortcomings.

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  Superb SUV! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By AV8JETS - May 14 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has more than exceeded our expectations. Looks like a sporty SUV, drives like a classic european sedan, and drips with versatility. So far the build quality has proven itself flawless.

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  Traditional Styling, Advanced Technology - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By yves corbin - May 14 - 2:00 am

  At $44000 out the door, this car is beautiful to look at and to drive as it should. The attention to details from Lincolns engineering/R&D is very impressive. The navigation system is one of the best. It saves time and is very efficient and accurate. The trunk is more than adequate and the optional trunk organizer is handy however it only comes in one color. The many safety features of the Lincoln Town Car give you a sense of well being. The quiet power train combo is well matched and its performance is more than adequate to move the 4500 pound vehicle. After a stress full day at work, I look forward to the drive home.

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  Awesome Luxury Sedan - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Good Times - May 12 - 12:46 pm

  My brother owns a 00 LS and it is a BLAST to drive. It has that kick in the pants with agile handling. The acceleration is very responsive. As for the back window...he hasnt had any problems yet. The interior is luxurious without all the useless and confusing buttons found in the european cars. If you are looking for a comfortable sports car with room for 5 passengers, this baby is for you.

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  great road car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jimboh55 - May 12 - 2:20 am

  Purchased new. Wifes Car now has 102000 miles and is 9years old. Car has been a joy to drive and reliable. Have only four fixes not under warrany two window hardware fixes - head gaskets leaked oil and a differential rebuild which was my fault as I missed a fluid replacement maintenance required at 50000 -the differential started whining at about 98000 miles and found it to be full of metal filings. Have had an electrical fix and leaky exhaust gaskets (both under warranty). The only driveability problem I have noticed is that if I am going very slow in second gear and really punch it, it will go into first and stay there up to 5000 rpm. Not a major problem for us.

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  Lincoln MKZ FWD - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By jbradsh1 - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the Lincoln for about a month now and made one 2K mile trip into snow country. FWD handles light to medium snow without issue ... no slipping. All day seats, very comfortable. Very nice riding, ultra smooth transmission, upscale interior which I wouldnt call luxury, just upscale, very nice stereo system, very pleasant to drive, I find myself looking forward to driving this car and I would recommend it. I got it on the Lincoln sign & drive. $0 down, $399/month plus sales tax made the payment $428. You also get 4 years of free maintenance. Great deal and a very quiet riding car, its as quiet as my mothers lexus ES 330.