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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  great car so far - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By circlea - August 12 - 2:00 am

  i love this car!! i traded in a 2000 Ls and boy what a difference in the two cars!!everything has been improved in my opinion. i love driving this car.i never seem to get tired of driving it. there is more storage, better sound system, more horsepower and lots more upgrades.

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  Best SUV - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By Marti - August 11 - 10:00 am

  The Lincoln Navigator is by far the most superb vehicle I have ever owned or driven.

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  My Zep - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By bigtfromdc - August 11 - 5:40 am

  Very happy with my purchase. The car is quiet, very easy to ride in, takes interstate ramp turns that my Chrysler 300m could not take well. The interior is awesome. I have the Merlot with sand, the blond wood is really pretty. Everyone comments on it. I just got stuck on a no-merge ramp and had to gun it. The car almost got away as it shot into another gear. Can you say New Horrizons...oh, that is a NASA rocket! :) The trunk is big enough for both Haffa and brother Bin! What a blast. Great value for the money.

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  No better ride - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Angela - August 7 - 8:23 am

  1997 Executive Lincoln Town Car This vehicle is an 11 on a 10 scale. The most comfortable ride, on the dash is a 3 steering setting so it can feel like any vehicle you want {not wheel steering adjustments up down etc...}. Great 23 mpg. The backseat looks like a couch. The trunk could hold 8 people. I bought it with 45,000 miles on it and now have over 100,000. Had to replace the intake cause I like to put my foot in it. Super fast, super comfort, what more could you want. And best of all it looks like a lincoln. Mine looks just like the photo above....GORGEOUS.

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  Nice Car - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Painterguy - August 6 - 2:26 am

  Had my MKX about a month now. So far no problems. Averaging 16.6 mpg city driving. Havent had it on a trip yet. Car gets lot of attention. People ask questions about it. Traded in a Volvo V-70 wagon for it. The MKX is better in most ways except seat comfort and mpg. Back seats are more comfortable than front. Cant beat those Volvo seats. I like the looks in and out. Handles well and rides much better than the Volvo. Very quiet. Hard to tell if the engine is running. Enough power for my needs. Lots of room with the back seat down for hauling stuff. Overall a very nice car. Hope it holds its value well.

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  They dont make-em like this anymore - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Todd - August 5 - 12:20 pm

  I bought this 97 TC 6-years old with 36,000 miles. The previous owner had not taken care of it. With some minor brake-work and a tune-up, this car was literally as good as new. Over 5 years later, I still drive it and am in awe over how reliable this car is. I had a transmission cooler installed 2 years ago and have been towing a pop-up camper with it for the past 2 years, no problems at all. This car goes and goes and goes. I have considered trading it in for an explorer or other SUV, but considering how reliable this car is and its low resale, I would be foolish. I get 25MPG on the highway doing 70. Can any other V8 do the same? This may be the last great Ford on the road.

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  Just Keeps Getting Better - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Purple Flag Saturday - August 5 - 12:16 pm

  I was apprehensive about getting this car; a terrific lease sealed the deal. 17 months later: GREAT CAR! The MKS is ultra comfortable, elegant and looks like a million. Sight lines require getting used to, after a while its fine. Heated/cooled seats, sound system, SYNC, all add up to a fabulous experience. It was reinforced when I drove Chicago to Tampa at Christmas with 2 adults and 2 teens. Roomy, comfy, soooo quiet and happy to run 85+ all day long. My first experience with Lincoln, not my last.

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  My review - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Issac Szlamkowicz - August 1 - 7:23 am

  Handling on the road is very good. Acceleration is more than adequate. I enjoy the vista roof and the cooled seats. Lincoln did this one right. It was worth the wait.

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  Very Happy with the Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Paul Barnes - July 27 - 5:40 am

  I purchased the Zephyr for my wife-both she and I are very happy with it. We have had several people who are very impressed with it and who have told us so. We traded a LS (2002) for it and plan to own it for 5 to 6 years.

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  Zephyr 06 - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By TEDDY FUTRELL - July 25 - 3:40 am

  I have owned a lot of sports cars and this time Lincoln has come up with all around car great family and sporty, I have had a lot of Vettes that did not handle better than this car, it is great !