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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  Mongos Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Cdmongo - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The Aviator is just the right size for the V-8 power plant. It is nicely designed with a rich interior, great sound system (6-CDs) and an airconditioning system (including the seats) that can keep anyone cool on the warmest of summer days. Mongo

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  Best Sleeper in its Class - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Todd - January 24 - 8:13 am

  This car is amazing. The perfomance and handling are a major surprise. I am extremely pleased with the smooth ride and handling characteristics at highway speed.

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  Best of the Lincoln Line - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Tom - January 22 - 10:00 pm

  Excellent Gas milage. Very comfortable on long trips. Sporty look and feel. The options of three ride modes and steering modes were a great feature that all sport enthusists will enjoy. The V-8 performance is a great engine to satisfy the high performance person. Why oh why did they stop making this line?

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  DeLinc - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Derrick Dobbins - January 20 - 10:00 am

  It is a great vehicle. The ride, performance, as well as the look of the vehicle is great. I really like the message center and power driver/passenger seat, and the double arm rest. Overall, I made a very wise choice.

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  SAFEST SUV ON THE ROAD - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By JOLENE JENKINS - January 20 - 10:00 am

  HI, I AM A LINCOLN NAVIGATOR OWNER. I HAVE OWNED 3 IN THE LAST 6 YEARS. PUTTING OVER 200,000 ON THE FIRST TWO, AND JUST PURCHASED MY THIRD. I SWEAR BY THIS TRUCK, I KNOW WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING MY TRUCK IS GONNA START, ITS GONNA BE WARM, COLD WHAT EVER I WANT IT TO BE. I FEEL EXTRA SAFE IN THIS TRUCK. I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGANT WHEN I GOT HIT BY A SIMI. THIS TRUCK IS SO SAFE THAT I DIDNT MOVE OUT OF MY SEAT, I WAS COMPLETELY SAFE, AND SO WAS MY GERMAN SHEPARD THAT WAS IN THE PASSANGER SIDE, THE SIDE THAT GOT HIT. I WILL CONTINUE TOO BY THESE TRUCKS UNTIL THEY STOP MAKING THEM. I AM A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. THANKS LINCOLN

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  This car is fun to drive - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Carolyn Norklun - January 19 - 1:13 pm

  This car is more fun to drive than an SUV is supposed to be. The acceleration can be head snapping. The vehicle is very stable and handles very well. Fit and finish are excellent. My husband particularly likes the navigation system. All and All a very nice vehicle.

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  Everything I thiught it would be - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By RA Jensen - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. After 5000 miles, not a single problem or defect of any kind.

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  Sport Sedan Upgrade - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Percy Mack - January 14 - 7:36 am

  My used 2001 LS sold me on this model, so I purchased a 2004 LS in the summer of 2004. I was pleased then and am still pleased after 95000K. The handling is what sold me on this model Lincoln. On long trips using the cruise control net me about 400+ miles per tank. City driving is not so good. Lincoln need to bring this model back. Some factory warranties were still in effect after my regular warranty had expired. When the service department told me that it would be no cost, I was quite pleased. I have had no major problems and hope to drive this one until another one appear in the show windows.

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  Aviator does it right! - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Robin - January 12 - 2:20 am

  We just purchased this vehicle and are so pleased! We owned a Mountaineer prior and cannot believe what we have been missing. If you want to feel like you are in a Luxury car and not a truck well then this is the one for you. My sister owned one and we fell in love. we did our research and realized this was the one. Not only do you feel safe, but it handles the road amazingly. It looks good to! heads turn when you are driving this machine. Safety features are all there too. we only regret not buying it sooner.

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  2007 Lincoln MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By B. Touro - January 7 - 9:16 pm

  We leased our Lincoln MKZ as a replacement vehicle to an 2004 Honda Accord LX. The Lincoln has options galore, the fit and look of the car is appealing and the ride and performance, coupled with good gas mileage makes this a wonderful car to own. We are considering buying the car at lease end, since we are so satisfied with it. We also lease a 2008 Cadillac CTS, which is vastly improved over the 2004 CTS it replaced. Compared to the Cadillac CTS, the Lincoln is different in many ways but also just as comfortable and luxurious. We think we have the best of both worlds in our MKZ and CTS autos. As for American made, we have no complaints with either car.