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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  Style - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Mick - May 16 - 5:33 am

  We purchased our 2001 low mileage Ford-Certified Town Car Executive this February—the first of two Lincolns (a V8 LS is our second Lincoln purchase). We added a six pack CD changer. My wife and I don’t have to scream to hear each other (as we did in our Club Wagon)—and since we are both lifetime WW members, we could sit four of us abreast in the front—but choose not. We ensured a safe purchase by using CarFax to research the vehicle history. This car just makes traveling a real pleasure—the only thing missing is aroma therapy candles (on second thought, leave them out). We are experiencing 18.8 mpg city and 24-25 mpg highway. This is THE car for long drives.

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  Excellent SUV - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By freestyle77 - May 15 - 3:26 am

  Great SUV

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  Lincoln LS beats BMW 5 Series - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Terry Hunt - May 13 - 10:00 am

  My wife owns a 2004 BMW and my LS handles better, gets better gas mileage, built better, has more power and costs $10K less than the BMW 5 series. I traded in a Lexus 330 for this LS and am glad I did. The rear wheel drive in the LS handles much better in emergency situations than the loose feel of the Lexus and the luxury feel is equal if not better.

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  2001 LS Review - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By cahill - May 13 - 4:33 am

  Bought the LS in 2002 as a new car. Am totally satisfied. It feels like a car I can still rely on especially with 130,000 miles on it. I had to replace the window regulator twice, once on the driver side and once on the passenger side. The cause both times were the plastic rollers and not the regulators. Also the drivers seat heater quit working. Other than that I love the car and would buy one again it it ever goes back into production.

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  Pleased - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Lgordon - May 11 - 3:00 pm

  We just purchased the MKZ and we are extremly please with it. The car is fun to drive and is very quiet.

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  Hot Rod Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By KAL - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Cant find a single flaw so far.This car is perfect. Fast,quiet and handles like my old corvette.Fun to drive.

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  A True Luxury Truck - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By LConstant - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this vehicle but I must say it is such a treat to drive. Very luxurious for a truck and very comfortable. The sound quality of the radio and cd are fabulous. Everything about the vehicle exudes quality. I would rate it an A+

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  Smooth SUV! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By gteach26 - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Having switched from the old Navigator to the new one, this puppy is NICE! The interior is as nice as anything else out there. I have an ultimate with all the toys. Fold flat third row is the best feature. Power liftgate comes in very handy. This SUV also drives very smooth and tight. Lincoln service is on par with anything else in the industry, and you cannot beat complimentary service stops!

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  Big Dollar Bang for the Buck - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By M2EnhanceU - May 7 - 2:03 am

  I got this car at such a good price that every time I drive it I feel like I stole it! For having over 180,000 miles when I bought it it runs and drives great! The wife ran it into a tall median so I had to get an alignment which required replacing the lower ball joints & inner tie rods as well and new front tires as the wifes "median job" caused the not that old ones to prematurely wear out about 700 miles later. Great engine! The old song "Hot Rod Lincoln" frequently comes to mind. Turn the traction control off and itll smoke the front tires on dry pavement, really surprises the hot rods at stoplights! All in all a great car, at 10 years old its stayed in great condition. Fun and style!

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  Its Just Not Fair!!! - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By D Money - May 5 - 1:43 pm

  What can I say? Ford Motor Company has a legend with their F150, and to make the Lincoln Mark LT ~ its a Cherry on the Sundae! TONS of Compliments! Have had my truck for 3+ months and still have people coming up to me asking what kind of truck I drive. Its just not fair for the other auto makers, I guess. (Ford F-Series , BEST SELLING TRUCK FOR 30 YEARS!!!) WOW!