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:

• 

  Upgraded to the LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Rob - April 23 - 6:43 am

  Had a new Lincoln Zephyr and feel that I have upgraded to an older LS V8, better handling, performance, and overall comfort. at 1/3 the price for a used LS.

• 

  A Lincoln For Me - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Okie - April 15 - 7:40 am

  After visiting too many dealers that wanted to put me in a car I did not want, I finally found one that showed me the right car. Ive been a Ford pickup owner for decades, but this time I wanted a little better ride and comfort (with a 6 cyl auto). I did not like the ride in my son in laws X3 and could not believe how tacky most of the GM crossovers were. It came down to the Enclave and the MKX, and the deals on MKXs coming off one- year leases made the financial decision pretty easy. I did not want: vista roof, thx, navigation. Dealer got me what I wanted at the price I had researched. So far, so good at 11,300 miles.

• 

  1997 Lincoln - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Nick J. Pintea - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Overall this has been an absolutly great automobile, with few exceptions. One- had to replace seat track on passenger side even though the adjustments were not used more than 5 or 6 times. Rides like a dream and handles fairly well for a cart its size.

• 

  nice ride - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jk - April 7 - 12:53 am

  Car is fun to drive, but expensive to fix. I find myself driving faster and not realizing it. Gas mileage is decent, but could be better.

• 

  Not a Towncar - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Sim - April 4 - 9:16 am

  After leasing Town Cars for many years, I leased an MKS front wheel drive. Interior is luxurious, and sound system is excellent. However, there is poor rear window visibility as head rests block a smaller rear window. A 6 cyl, only getting 13.5 miles per gallon! Used to get 18 on my 8 cyl Town Car! It is very lumbering and no agility in its handling. Feels like a boat - but a beautiful one.

• 

  6-month checkup - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By erik glaser - April 2 - 1:43 am

  the handling is so good that the ride experience seems less exciting than say, the mustang; and it certainly would be nice to have a 5- or six-speed manual option; but take a glance down at the speedo. and realize that youre doing 95 when you swear it could only be 70- not shabby. negatives:1) the doors are CHEAP/LIGHT/CHATTERY 2)the Advanctrak, while it has probably saved my life, when disabled does NOT turn off the traction control at take-off, which leaves one at an initial disadvantage next to a... sports-car competitor; furthermore, the select- shift doesnt help with this 0-to- whatever limitation(it does, delightfully, help with manuevering around those ubiquitious left-lane Volvos).

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By youngun123 - March 31 - 4:45 am

  in the end it all comes down to how the car is maintained and taken care of. Mine, a 2000, gen1, maintained, documented since its purchase, two owners ago was good to see when purchasing the vehicle. Typically people only write a review on this website if they are very un satisfied and did not take care of the vehicle. Rarely does a middle of the road person or satisfied person write a review, ever. so far, 30,000 miles into the purchase of the vehicle (127k when i bought it, 157k now) no issues. Only basic oil changes, trans fluid, etc. If you use premium gas, your coils do not burn up and the engine will be fine. This perticular one has ran on premium since it was purchased.

• 

  Trying too hard - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Donald Geeze - March 25 - 11:57 pm

  Beautiful and unique exterior. Luxurious interior. Quality of interior materials still not up to the Lexus ES standard. Very quiet when cruising, but unpleasant engine noise on acceleration, and does not accelerate nearly as well as the Lexus ES hybrid. Electronics do all the things youd like, if you can figure out how to use them. Excessively non-intuituve inputs for simple commands. The drivetrain and the design of the electronics interface need work. Whats wrong with simple buttons and knobs? Back seat is hard. Still a tempting car with its comfort and appearance.

• 

  Excellent Luxury Sport - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By sax - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Wanted a bimmer, but couldnt afford it. This car is great! I cant wonder why there arent more of them on the road. An automatic chick magnet.

• 

  Love this car - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By Peggy - March 17 - 2:33 am

  Never owned a Ford product before. This car is 100% reliable. No major problems. Repairs have been routine wear and tear. I get 17mpg city and 27mpg hwy. Shes got 115,000 miles on her and still going strong. Its super comfortable for passengers. My only wish is for front wheel drive.