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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  LOVED IT! - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Jackie32391 - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Best car you would ever drive

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Vince - June 14 - 8:36 pm

  Im a 20 year old male who went from a 1999 Mercury Sable LS to a 2005 Lincoln LS V6 Luxury. The exterior of the car is just great. Its a very sharp looking car that turns heads. The base audio system puts out a good amount of power. It gives a very comfortable drive in town and on long highway trips. Car really hugs the road on winding and hilly roads. Not up to par with the European industry leaders, but good for what it is.

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  Very Impressive ! - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By Dave B (Mr D) - June 14 - 3:03 pm

  Only had this vehicle for a few weeks, but Im impressed. Had 107k miles when purchased, but still looks new and a great ride too. Gray with chrome really sets it off! If you ask me, this is just as luxurious as the Town Car. Thank you Lincoln.

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  Love this car - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By George N - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought this new. It has been dependable and dealer support has been the best I have ever had. This is the 4th Lincoln we have purchased and the best. 3 have been front wheel drive. I will only buy front wheel or all wheel drive. Sad that Lincoln has no more front wheel. Next purchase will probably be Cadalac.

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  Buys nothing but Lincolns - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By GL - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I now have 103,000 miles on my Town Car and it is still like new. I have had no problems to date and all mechanicals are still factory original. I purchased this car to replace a 1989 Cartier Town Car that was totaled in an accident (it had 200,000 miles and was still factory fresh). The 1999-2002 Town Cars are just to ugly. I will always continue to buy Lincolns. They are inexpensive to keep. Could use more horsepower. I remember the 60s Lincolns with the 460 engine. Those Lincolns could move.

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  Fun Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By gbones - June 11 - 10:00 am

  A Mustang with 4 doors

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  MKX love it - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Ranko - June 11 - 1:23 am

  Wanted this vehicle from the first time that I saw it and had it delivered in May. I commute 180 miles a day and it has been a pleasure to drive. Great mileage for a SUV and I get tons of admiring looks from other drivers and pedestrians.

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  Happy Critical Customer - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Marlowe - June 10 - 6:33 am

  Great SUV, I have researched 12 SUV in this class and have not found any that offer your the luxuries as the Lincoln Navi Ultimate offers

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  Defines American Luxury - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Patricia - June 4 - 10:16 pm

  The Lincoln Towncar is by far the best Luxury car on the market and it has tons of features like heated seats and a navigation system and Beautiful Burl Wood Accents on the dash and in the Steering wheel and the when you are riding in the car it feels like you are riding on a cloud or floating on air and i love the way the leather seates are trimmed and the seats are so comfortable and the interior is extremly roomy and the V8 Engine is very strong and has plenty of horsepower to move this car at high highway speeds and the cars exterior is beautiful i love the shiny black paint and i like the chrome pieces on the doors and i absolutely love my car its wonderful i highly reccommend it

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  Love It.. but... - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Bob - June 2 - 12:43 pm

  Great riding car, high comfort level, V6 had more then enough power and acceleration for Interstate driving. Low noise level, handling easy on the driver. Dislikes... The Shadow Red on Black instrument panel hard to read on bright sunny day. "Eyes to road glance." Large trunk, high lift and long reach to load and unload. Trunk hinges take up trunk space. Not a touring car.