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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  Supremely refined, but boring to drive. - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ethan Hawksley - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Its comfortable, quiet, and very refined, but it also has some aggravating flaws. My biggest gripe is that the OHC 4.6 engines torque output is barely adequate. As a result, the car is devoid of any spirit whatsoever and downright BORING to drive. Second, Ive had a tie rod end and upper ball joint both fail within the last two months because Ford used "sealed for death" parts in the steering linkage. Lastly, the rear end feels light at high speeds, like its going to break loose any second. I dont horse my Lincoln around like its a Corvette, but a luxury car SHOULD handle in a reasonably controlled manner when pressed a little harder than normal.

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  Best Car On The Road - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Bob Sepana - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I have owned three Town Cars in my life and I am only 25 years old. Come to think of it I believe I am one of the few young people out there who like these Town Cars. My Town Cars are an 89, 90, and 94 ALL of them with 400,000+ miles. I work in Canada and live in FL. Except for annual and regular maintenance...there are no problems with the car. The ride is the best out there. I have driven Mercedes, BMW and Lexus. Those brands are nothing compared to a Town Car. Do you know if any import (sedan based) that can haul 6 people with full luggage in 100 degree weather with the AC on high from FL to Canada. I do it 4 times a summer.

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  Back to American Built - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By ketabors - August 4 - 5:56 am

  I have driven foreign cars for the past 10 years. After searching extensively, the MKX blew the overpriced foreign SUVs out of the water. The ride is better than the BMW I recently turned back in. It is very spacious with plenty of front leg room. The sound system is the best I have ever heard in an automobile. I have nothing but great praise for this sleek auto.

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  Sport is the word for Lincoln LS! - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By LS Sport - July 31 - 10:56 am

  I was all set to buy a new Lincoln Town Car, but once I stepped behind the wheel of my Lincoln LS Sport car, I was sold! My new Lincoln LS Sport drives like a Shelby Mustang, and shifts like a Ferrarri. The suspension truly gives it sports car road feel. The instrument cluster is not cluttered and easy to view. The leather wrapped steering wheel is nice to grasp and holds easy on the curve, noting that there is little sway on turns, especially at higher speeds. By combining sport features with luxury, Ford has another great product in this little Lincoln.

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  2002 Lincoln Continental - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By Bubby/Naquin - July 30 - 8:03 pm

  Lincoln has missed the mark only in the market they are trying to reach. I am a 46 year old male and this car equipped with the Drivers Select, 5 passenger seating and moonroof is my car. This car isnt made for 60+ crowd and shouldnt be marketed as such. Comfort easily beats the LS (my choice prior to discovering the Continental). Had I not heard about it from my brother, I may have overlooked this jewel.

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  GOOD for the USED PRICED - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By jayjay2008 - July 28 - 8:42 am

  i brought this car at 97k used im the second owner. with in the second week of buying it the trans just went out..not signs no nothin..i replaced the trans then 2 months later ther water pump went out ..then the thermostat the from there on with in the next 2 years my whole front end was changed from sturts ball joints tie rods starter alternator .my motor mounts went bad..im thankful my air bags didnt go out on my shocks radiator......almost 3 years later 30000 k miles later...i need a new transmission at 127k but its been slipping since 115 k this car has been hell....but at the same time i love it for its performance and comfort

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  Never AGAIN!!!! - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Rocky - July 23 - 6:26 pm

  Big disappointment. 2 major transmission failures in 17,000 miles. Power rear windows work when they want to. Horrible gas mileage.

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  Sweet ride for long drives - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By irish35 - July 22 - 10:32 pm

  Have had the car for about two years, and it has been a pleasure to drive. I drive long distances on the highway and no car would compared to MKS. AWD (and 19+ tires) gives you excellent traction on the road and in the snow. Comfortable seats, nice features, smooth handling, plenty of power. This car is not built for racing, correct. But it would not disappoint, and indeed makes you proud, when you punch it to pass foreign competitors up the hill. Not 100% pleased with the interior design. Major issue for us (coffee drinkers) is that you cannot fit two coffee cups in this car; it has got space for 1-and-a-half!

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  My Little Lincoln - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By kinsellj - July 21 - 3:20 am

  This car met these criteria when I shopped: Under $30K, reg gas, leather, good gas mileage, bluetooth, American. There is no perfect car, but this one is really good. If the tranmission allowed it to be more responsive at highway speeds (acceleration), it would be darn close. It does not have the rock solid handling of my 2004 Accord Coupe, but actually gets around turns at the same speeds. At $26.5K it was the right choice. Sync is great, the standard stereo is good (I wish I got the THX). It is the best looking car I have owned.

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  Superb value - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Dr. RHK - July 20 - 12:53 pm

  Superb value for the money with all the typical luxury features which would cost $3-6K more on comparable models. I gave up a BMW 740i [drove for 8 years] and have driven numerous BMW 300 series. I was looking for a smaller car since my kids are grown up and wanted to downsize with the following criteria: a] reliable b] safe c] fun to drive. The computer came up with BMW, Audi, Acura & Lincoln. When I saw the Lincoln, I thought you must be joking, but I researched all, test drove and picked the Lincoln. Its a choice I have not regreted; I am enormously satisfied with the handling, comfort, THX system and reliability. Its a sharp, sporty luxury car. Firm ride so might not fit all buyers.