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! - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By shawn - July 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for only seven months. So far I have had very good luck with this car. So far I needed only normal wear and tear items replaced. A good riding car. I cant complain.

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  aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By 9394n - June 30 - 2:00 am

  a great car, its a loaded Kitty Hawk edition. mileage at 75 mph on a trip is about 21 mpg. Love the GPS moving map. we will get a new 2006 when it comws out. the engine is quiet and real snappy.

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  Worth the Wait - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rayw - June 29 - 2:00 pm

  I have waited for a couple of years to finally get a navigator (divorce). It was worth the wait. The ride is amazing, the sound quality of the THX Certified stereo is great. The conveiences abound. I research many vehicles and tried out a number. None came close to the Navigators looks, room or ride.

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  Exclnt. Quality for the money - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By dar357 - June 24 - 2:26 am

  Large car with very comfortable ride & quiet at hiway-speeds. Drive normal & I can get 28 MPG Hwy. & 18 City.

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  Torque of the town - 2010 Lincoln MKS
  By brucelinc - June 20 - 11:10 am

  The ecoboost engine is awesome - smooth and quiet but deceptively powerful. I appreciate all the torque at low rpm. The car moves out strongly without high revs or drama. The cabin is extremely quiet at all speeds and is very comfortable. The sync and nav systems are flawless and user friendly. Although the press has been mostly positive, I think this car is too quickly dismissed by the public due to Lincolns lack of prestige compared with luxury brands.

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  Way to go ford - 2007 Lincoln Navigator L
  By 1happyperson - June 19 - 10:46 pm

  Ive owned a 2004 navigator and this one blows the old one out the water. It has a ton of power and it never skips a beat, the 6 speed transmission shift with out any noise inside the cabin. Passing car will never be a problem with this car. The gas mileage is better than what you would think at 13 mpg. The exterior has a bold face that cant be beat, it looks more like a 100k car than a 60k car. From what I can see now the build quality is the best around, the cabin is so quite that you can here a pin drop. There is almost no outside noise even at speeds of 80 mph.The car feels safe and stable. The car fills so comfortable that it feels like your sitting on your living room chair. Go get it

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  Best car ever - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Ronnie Stripp - June 19 - 10:00 am

  My Lincoln is the best car I have ever driven. Its fun to drive, responsive and a beautiful design. I recommnd this car to anyone who can afford to buy it.

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  Navigator - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By elmview - June 17 - 1:16 am

  I just got my new Navigator and find that is nice improvement over the previous model. It has almost all the features that I was looking for. the exterior styling looks fresh.

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  Lincon Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By 2006 Lincoln Zephyr - June 15 - 7:36 pm

  I traded in my Ford Explorer due to the high price of gas. I have had three explorers and really shopped around before deciding on the zephyr. I have three words for this new car... I LOVE IT! Its fun to drive and I love the navigation system! Not sure how it will do in the snow but so far Im loven it!

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  What a car - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By Flash - June 13 - 6:56 pm

  What a car to drive. Handles like a dream and the eco boost is all it is hyped. The interior is very nice.