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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  "Close " - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By chris culotta - December 14 - 1:53 am

  This is my second LS. I bought a 2000 new and the 2006 new. I call this review, "close" because just like Ford they almost get it and then drop the ball. Example, the front of the vehicle is spectacular, so is the side of the vehicle. The backend....boring. The back lights look like the were formed by the Keebler elves with a cookie cutter. Engine, wonderful. Transmission, has a mind of its own. Fit and finish ,more rattles than a maternity ward...Great comfort. The cas is a overall fun car that was overpriced by 10k.

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  My big ride - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By IlliniFan - December 12 - 9:23 am

  Always wanted a big luxury car, and a Town Car or DTS/Deville. Found this 05 TC and fell in love with it when I took it for a test drive. I have tinted windows and gives it the look of a limo. Im not the typical TC owner, but to me it rides and drives like a dream. On the road, it floats, seats are like my recliner at home, CD player is awesome, the reverse sensors come are a life saver when backing up. The clock in the center of the dash is just too cool looking! Its a great car, gets 25-28 mpg hwy, 23 city, cant beat that for a V8! So far not a single problem - and today thats rare.

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  pile of junk - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By unhappy owner - December 12 - 4:13 am

  I bought my Continental with 56,000 miles and within a week I had to replace a coil, 200 dollars at the dealer. The next year interior rear view mirror liquid crystal failed. 400 dolars to replace which I did not replace. the third year at 86,000 miles had to rebuild the transmission, 2650 dollars. the follawing years I replaced the alternator, $400 water pump,$400, rackin pinion, $800 powerstreeing pump $800, all the pulles,$300 the electric fan assembly because you can not buy a single fan,$750, back calipers over $600, torsion bars, $ 400 and now the the ball joints and bushings, $800. Never again will I buy a Ford. They have proven to me to be absolute junk. Dont but one. . . .

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  Excellent - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By shoppingnurse57 - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Navigator for not quite 1 year. I love driving it - I feel safe - it is a luxurious ride!

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  sydney - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By lenz - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Has been very reliable. Had to replacemanifold, air suspension boots in rear,one ball joint, wiring to wndshield wipers,

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  Size Matters - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By dacuck@msn.com - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Good size, good looks, great engine..!! Have not bought American for a few years. Sold 99 Audi A8 4.2q to buy SUV. Looked at everything... wife is principle driver... i might have prefered FX45.. BMW- gets to pricey with opts. Lexus- a little small/cramps front leg room..front wheel drive. Murano-didnt drive..just looked at..??

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  Capable handling and good looks - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Flyer - December 12 - 2:00 am

  After test driving most of the domestic and foreign built SUVs in this price range, I bought the Aviator. Great handling, smooth engine drivetrain combo, suspension is superior to every other SUV I drove, great looks.

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  Run Away! - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Chris Healey - December 11 - 8:26 am

  I was upgraded to the 2016 MKZ 3.7L (Edmunds wont let me select the 3.7L engine option), as a rental car this week and Ive been driving it all week. And I have to day this is the worst car in this class I have driven in a very long time. First off it is UGLY. I mean really ugly. At the front it is channelling a PT Cruiser and the back reminds me of some French car from years ago. In other words the great looks of the Fusion it is based upon have been kicked to the curb in favor of a monstrosity that no one could possibly find attractive. The interior looks like it might be premium in some aspects, but upon closer inspection, they disappoint. Edmunds was generous giving it a C. It feels lively enough off the line, but stomp the right foot and expect some disturbing torque steer. Ford engineers need to buy a VW GTI and figure out why a car that costs $10K less has solved the problem of torque steer, and they seemingly cannot. I enjoyed no aspect of driving this car. The handling sucks, it is not especially quick, although feels quicker because you are dealing with the torque steer drama. The interior lacks any kind of premium features one would expect of a car in the mid $30s. The car before the car I own now was a CPO Mercedes C Class. Given the choice between a 9 month old CPO fully loaded Mercedes, and this junker, its a no brainer. Dont like used cars, even CPO? Well heck, you can buy a Mercedes CLA or BMW 320 for the same price as this Lincoln. And the latter includes four years of free servicing, along with a ride and handling that will put this MKZ to shame. When the price tag tips past $30K there are a wealth of cars available from great very young CPO offerings, to excellent new choices. You have top of the line regular cars, and entry level luxury cars. And the bottom line; this car simply doesnt compete. It doesnt bring enough to the table to stand out, or even be noticed. I honestly cant think of a single match up with any $35K car, that this comes close to winning. To me the only buyer for this car would be someone who is a die hard Lincoln fan and someone who has never driven any other $35K car. Because trust me I have shopped this segment extensively and driven dozens of rentals in a similar price point, and everything trounces this car. The sad thing is, I actually have a soft spot for the Fusion. The most recent makeover that borrowed from Aston Martin styling cues was a huge upgrade on the old dated Fusion. So to give the Fusion the fugly make over, charge $15K more, and not even offer basics like an adjustable steering column or sunroof is kind of a joke. Make a list of cars priced $30K - $40K stick a pin in it, and youll have a better car than this. Edmunds says C, I say F.

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  Continntal - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Continental - December 11 - 5:46 am

  Lincoln Continetnal is a fun to drive comfortable car. I love to look at it and would recommend it to anyone as the best value in Luxury Sedans

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  V8 Sport - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By akirby - December 10 - 10:50 pm

  This car is pure driving pleasure. It handles great, has plenty of room (for four), has lots of amenities and truly comfortable seats. I find myself making excuses to drive to the store - its that much fun. V8 power is great although it launches a little slower than I would like. It plays the role of highway cruiser and hot rod equally well. Its hard to find a better value in this segment. Highly recommended.