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:

• 

  the car that - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By amy - September 22 - 2:37 am

  I bought a 2012 lincoln MKZ in june and now in oct I am planning on trading it in.The car doesnt hold the road at speeds over 40MPH.The car sways and bounces which makes the car feel very unstable on the road.The car always feels like its going to hydroplane even on dry asphalt if the speed is over 60 MPH.The rides like you are on a water bed,which is not just unsettling but very unsafe.I have taken the car to sev mechanics who cant find anything wrong however they too experienced this car to feel very unstable on the highway.The lincoln was to have great road safety however this model is anything but.

• 

  Second and Last Lincoln - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By sherrybgray@gmail.com - September 17 - 9:46 am

  After 20 years of driving a Buick, in 2012 my husband and I bought a 2012 used MKZ with 18,000 miles. We purposely looked at Ford and Lincoln because they did not take the bail out money; and because my old Buick was the best riding car I ever owned. Two weeks ago we traded that car in on a 2014 MKZ with 22,000 miles on it. There are a lot of things I like about the 2014 over the 2012... Its much sportier looking, accessing the climate, phone, and media is much easier. Gas mileage is about the same on both cars. But thats all the good stuff I have to say. It rides like a wagon. Honestly I cant believe it has the Lincoln name on it. When I test drove the car it had General tires on it. The dealership offered to put new Michelins on the car, but only after I made the purchase. While I didnt love the look of my 2012 Lincoln, but I sure liked how it rode. In the settings I have changed the setting from sport to comfort and I dont think it made any difference. One problem is probably the low profile tires, but I am not a fan. Two weeks in, and we are thinking about trading it. But never will I purchase another Lincoln.

• 

  Lincoln Quality Not! - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By W - July 13 - 10:20 pm

  Headlights kept filling with water when it rained, the rear windows failed open on a ski trip, the light in the stereo last about a week. They replaced the headlights three times with headlights that filled with water, told me I didnt know how to operate the stereo four times until they finally replaced the whole unit. Repair the windows twice. Then the plastic imitation chrome started flaking off the interior panels and the sun roofed leaked. The car started to idle like a D-10 CAT in a coal mine. Called in quits after a year and a whopping 8,000 miles, lemon lawed it and gave it a new home in the dealers junk yard. That was the same year Ford was "At Ford, quality is job one".

• 

  VERY disappointed - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By JT - June 22 - 11:33 pm

  Im amazed to read all the positive reviews. Since purchasing 4 months ago, it has been in the shop 5 times for quality & build issues. 2 trim pieces were improperly installed at factory using FORD trim pieces that did not even match. The entire steering column had to be replaced due to an incessant rattle (manuf bulletin). Supports in the headliner were not properly fastened causing excessive overhead rattling. Two dealers cant seem to balance the tires. CHEAP plastic abounds in the interior, and the adjustment for tilt steering is primitive. This thing drives and handles like a beast, the seats are unsupportive and uncomfortable, & the paint has runs in it. 50K for this???

• 

  My LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Lincoln JC - June 4 - 9:46 pm

  Bought the LS V8 three years ago and loved it in the begining. Start by saying I will never by a lincoln LS again. With a small block V8 didnt think the milage would be this horrible. The K&N filter did help out with more horse power and gas milage. Had to return the car the first week I had it cause of faulty power packs whatever replaced the spark plugs. That cost the dealer over 500 dollars. Transmission is HORRIBLE! after the warrenty company replaced it with brand new trans. Im still having problems. Cost me over 700 to replace alternator. 1200 in tires and window brackets 280 for only one door I have yet to replace the second rear window. would not recommend the Lincoln LS people.

• 

  Great vehicle but - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Jim - May 29 - 12:23 pm

  This car is a pleasure to drive and especially to look at. I have never had a vehicle get as many admiring looks and compliments. Heres the "but" from the title. Ford is having a tremendous problem with the PTU in the Edge and MKX. Mine has been back 4 times with leaking seals. Ford has no idea how to correct the problem. I am very disappointed with the company. The car is absolutely wonderful but the experience is being ruined by the mechanical problem that Ford cannot fix. If they finally get it right the car will be wonderful. Take a look at the Edge forum on Fords site and see just what I am talking about.

• 

  Worst Town Car to Date - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By Tash Cheema - April 10 - 5:03 pm

  This car currently has 223K on it. Its my fathers car and used it work as a limo driver. Up until about 170K, the car was basically trouble free (one or two minor repairs.) The only real constant problem was a hole in the firewall that allowed rain water and snow to get into the passenger compartment.(The car now wreaks of dirty water). However over the past two years this car has been problematic. Heres a list of all the problems weve had: Two bad wiper motors. Two power driver power window motors. Sunroof stopped working. Intake manifold blew(factory defect). Gas mileage has decreased slowly(now 12-14 mpg). A/C compressor inoperative. A spark plug blew out of the engine.

• 

  need repeated repairs - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By fluffypuppy - March 23 - 10:26 pm

  Slow acceleration, poor seat material, need repeated repairs - change seal; dripping oil

• 

  Good but not Great - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By asmart - March 12 - 2:00 am

  There have been numerous defects and mechanical problems over the last 12k miles. Front end wobble and alignment. Transmission shudder in third gear and overdrive. Catalytic converters going bad. Trim pieces falling off. Stalling and dying without warning. No error codes to indicate trouble. The list of other minor things go on.

• 

  Dont brother with this one... - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Frank - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving this car. For a large car the handling and acceleration are wonderful. However, I have just been told that the transmission needs repaired...for the 3rd time. This will be my last Ford product. Enough said.