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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  Fun Drive, Fun Ride - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By robertkelly - May 18 - 3:00 am

  A super car. I owned a 1993 Continental and felt it was underpowered, with the V-8 the problem was solved. The car was purchased new and presently has 146,000 miles.It runs great. The only major problem is the electrical; always a door ajar and the interior lights stay on. Help! I have replaced a hub bearing, starter, alternator, brakes, and power steering pump.

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  LOVE IT!! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Susie Bowen - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I never cared about a vehicle before...as long as it could get me where I wanted to go but now I look for reasons to drive!! I LOVE it and havent driven in a nicer SUV than this. Highly recommend!! Luxury plus!

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  2007 Lincoln Navigator - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By david j janich - May 17 - 3:36 am

  outstanding refinement. very smooth and quiet. if they offered a higher powered option i would have ordered it. after trying a couple of the competitors, i went for the Lincoln and besides it is an American vehicle so the profits stay in our country.

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  Our First Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Beverly K. - May 14 - 10:00 am

  One feature that I think is great is that when I am backing up, if anything is behind me, (person, car, garbage can, etc.) an alarm goes off. The closer I get to it, the louder and more pronounced it gets. I will NEVER back into anyone or anything. It is a very smooth and quiet car. I am a very tall person and can sit in the back seat with no problems. The only complaint I have is regarding the sound system of the radio and CD player. For a car as nice as the 04 Lincoln, the radio should sound like a Bose radio. In closing, I am sure that we will never buy anything.

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  PRACTICAL, SAFE, COMFORTABLE, AND FUN! - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ted Bliss - May 12 - 12:10 pm

  I spent many months checking out various vehicles before deciding on the Lincoln Navigator. Starting with no limitations on price, make or manufacturer, I initially ruled out many vehicles that did not meet my basic criteria, then proceeded to rank the remaining vehicles on a basis of safety, practicality, comfort, and lastly the "fun" factor. My basic criteria:- minimum seating capacity of 7 or 8, to accomodate family and friends- 4 wheel or all wheel drive available, to visit my in-laws- available safety, comfort and convenience features for long trips The Navigator met or exceeded these basic "requirements" and did it in style. My favorite features are listed in the next section.

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  Jorge37 - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By George37 - May 11 - 6:32 am

  The best car !!!!

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  Good buy - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Alan Alda - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This car handles terrobly but is very reliable and is comfortable and takes the bumbs as well as my Toyota Camry.

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  3-20-2014 Still a happy customer. - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By justinefrie - May 6 - 9:03 am

  My sister bought a 2010 Lincoln MKZ and took me to lunch the next day. I liked the car so much, I went to Lincoln the next day to trade in my Infiniti. I got a great deal on a 2011 Lincoln MKZ AWD and during those snow-filled roads in NY, that AWD was great! In fact, it was impressive and I didnt really think that much about it when I got the AWD vehicle. It drove through deep snow like an all terrain vehicle. The car is really solid. Comfortable on long drives. Clean interior design. DVD player. Navigation. Too much to mention. I just want to thank Lincoln for making a car for my taste: young.

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  LOVE MY LINCOLN - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Lrobillard1 - May 6 - 6:46 am

  I absolutely love my 2010 Lincoln MKX i traded in my 2006 Range Rover Supercharged for it. This crossover hauls to say its around 200 hp less than my range s/c. I test drove every similarly sized crossover I could think of and none come close. The Cadillac SRX is nice but sluggish and the lexus was oddly laid out on the inside. I paid 50k for the fully loaded limited edition with the dual dvd headrests and 600 watt sound system and im glad i spent the money. Lincoln has really brought themselves up to the plate.

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  lincoln continental - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By gary bauman - May 4 - 2:00 am

  great car....love the motor