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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  2003 Lincoln Aviator - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By JohnWatson - February 7 - 11:03 pm

  The performance is outstanding. It feels comfortable, solid and stable. The steering is responsive and precise. The visibilitly is superb forward and rearward, especially with the backup tone warning system. It accepts a top mounted extra luggage compartment allowing long travel with 6 passengers, in comfort. Controlled braking is excellent.

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  90 days and happy - 2010 Lincoln MKS
  By Ken Preis - February 7 - 6:03 pm

  I have 2000 miles on my 2010 MKS and I couldnt be more pleased. My last American made car was over 15 years ago, last 4 cars were Acuras: 2 Legends, 1 RL and 1 MDX. Im enjoying this baby immensely and have never, ever had so many strangers come up to me and tell what a good looking car it is. One common comment: Lincoln got it right this time. Most amazing to me is the overall mpg of 21.2. No trips just around town. Cant wait to take it on a 2,500 trip this summer.

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  2001 Lincoln Continental - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Jimbo - February 6 - 8:30 pm

  Purchased this vehicle as a "sometime" driver; have a company car to drive to work, and an old minivan for hauling stuff. So the Lincoln is used to go out with the wife, visit kids at college, or travel. I did not believe reviews I had read about this cars gas mileage, but I am getting around 24 mpg combined. This car effortlessly flies down the highway, and is like driving a leather recliner. The trunk is massive for suitcases, etc. I cannot believe that Lincoln stopped making this car. It is a luxury car, but people were probably afraid to buy it because of the V-8. And no, you do not need premium. I have no problem with regular unleaded in this thing. Buy one if you can!

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  High Luxury Not High Price - 2014 Lincoln MKX
  By Daniel Bray - February 6 - 9:35 am

  We bought a 2 yr old MKX after owning Japanese cars for 16 years. So far its better than we imagined in all areas. Powerful, smooth, quiet with all of the features we could ask for. After owning it for a year, I can say that the navigation system is very complicated. Unnecessarily so. And the turn signals are overthought. Too complicated for such a simple function. But we still love the car.

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  why knot? - 2016 Lincoln Navigator
  By Sandy Rome - February 4 - 9:27 pm

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  An American Success - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By reporter7 - February 2 - 2:26 pm

  Although Ive always been partial to european sports sedans, aside from a lack of "snob appeal" the LS V8 offers as much fun and more value than most of the offerings from across the pond. The drive train is faultless -- excellent power, silky smooth, and trouble-free. The ride/handling trade-off is well judged, and the balance possible with rear-wheel drive will be a revelation to those who have become accustomed to front-drivers.

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  Instr. Panel - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By John C - February 1 - 8:06 am

  I at times find that the speedodometer is very hard to see. It is subject not being bright enough to be seen with out a lot of strain. Other than this it is fine. You should not take your eyes off the road to read odometer.

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  Cross Country trip - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By popeye1250 - January 30 - 5:10 pm

  Just got back from Reno, NV to Myrtle Beach S.C. and the odometer has 7,200 miles. You can do 90 mph in this car very comfortably. (in Wyoming) I averaged 26.6 mpg for the trip doing 80-85 most of the time. I got 28 mpg doing 70 for a good stretch so milage does improve with more on the odometer. Very comfortable car to ride in cross country! Engine and transmission performed flawlessly in the Rocky mountains. More than enough power. There were 3 of us and we had plenty of room for luggage. Gas mileage has inproved dramatically from when I had 1,000 miles on it! I ran it with "regular" gas. Changed the break in oil at around 1,800 miles.

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  MIKES TOWN CAR - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By MIKE P. - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I am very please with this car. It handles very well and is quiet. I have over 90,000 miles on it and it still is like new. My gas mileage is around 21 mpg. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  love my navagator - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By b jafa - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I love this suv it drives more like a car it hugs the corner like a car.It,s the most comfortable car i ever drove and I used to drive a cadillac.