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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  Lincoln LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By moneal - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Great fun to drive car, handles well for size.

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  nice nagivator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By mp5niper - May 9 - 2:00 am

  this is a good car and has all the luxuries and power anyone needs

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  MM LS Shows Potential for Ford - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By MM LS in DC - May 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a wonderful car with some flaws. I too have had problems with the rear passenger window not rolling up, heated seats went out. The paint job could have been better. Overall though I love my LS. Its Black with blacked out windows, high profile spoiler and beautiful rims. Handles like a dream. I do have a hesitation in shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Even with the select shift, the car will shift into 3rd at 3500 rpms and then drop back into 2nd for a split second. In addition there is a strong smell of gas when tank is completely full.

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  Owner - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Letitia - May 6 - 2:03 am

  This is the best auto I have ever had in my long lifetime! There are just two suggestions for improvement: 1. the placement of the speedometer is not visabble enough. 2. the headrest is not placed right I owned a Lincoln Town Car prior to this car and of course, the ride is not as comfortable as the Town Car

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  A Lincoln for the Younger Crowd - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Greg Arserio - May 5 - 11:20 pm

  A Lincoln... at 32 years old! I thought Id be 30 years older before buying a Lincoln, but when shopping for a Ford Edge, the decision was simple. If you are in the market for a fully equipped Edge, just go with the MKX instead. This is a beautiful ride with everything you could want. Very quiet, smooth and competent in all kinds of weather conditions. Great leg room in all seating positions... and this is coming from a 61" guy. Also, from a maintenance standpoint, Ford finally got the oil filter location right. Its in plain view, centered, plenty of room to unscrew it and place a drip pan underneath and nothing in the way as it drips dry. But wait, do Lincoln owners actually change oil?

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  Love it! - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Rob - May 5 - 9:56 am

  After 40 years of driving nothing but Caddys I got an MKS because Caddy was no longer leasing. Love the ride, handling, sound system. Sync is SO easy to use. Gas mileage could be better. Biggest complaint is front seat bottoms could be at least 1 1/2 inches or longer. Not enough thigh support. Controls easy to read & reach. Love the steering wheel controls including being able to make phone calls. Outside mirrors a good size too. Like rear view camera, audible warnings on front & rear bumpers. Wish vanity mirrors had lights on each side instead of the top.

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  Awsome Vehicle MKZ Hybrid 2011 - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By kensnek - May 5 - 7:02 am

  We have had this car since March of 2011 and love everything about it. Have averaged 39.1 long term combination city/hwy. This car has exceeded our expectations for mileage,comfort,handling and looks. We never expected to own a Lincoln let alone a hybrid. This car is a well kept secret!

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  LOVE THAT NAVI - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By gwen - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I love my car! I drive 36,000miles/yr for work and driving my three sons to all their sports. I had a sub before and I liked but it did not drive like this!! This excelerates very well and I dont have road noises. I have to uae the cruise control because it doesnt seem like you are going 80. Traveling w/ kids is great w/ the dvd. My husband rode in the back and watched movies too, he said this is the way to go!! Ive riden in all the seats and the third row doesnt have much head room so I dont know about a tall person sitting back there but Im only 54" so I had plenty of room. 2nd row leg room is better than the sub! I love this ride!!

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  LINCOLN TOWNCAR - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By JIM HALL - May 4 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a flashy, sporty car - this isnt it ! However, if youre after a well built, very comfortable, good riding car this is hard to beat - at any price.

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  Lincolns review - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Joanthan Johnson - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Well we have owned Lincoln Town cars since 1977, and we have really enjoyed all of them they are good quality and a reliable car they ride good, they are excellent to drive, and ride in sure there lines are a little dull, but my goodness they are great cars it will proabaly be all that will ever go into my garage is a lincoln Town car. Sincerely, Jonathan