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:

• 

  Great Vehicle! - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Janaya - November 8 - 10:23 pm

  Purchased car used. This is Lincoln No. 5, the first were new and this Continental is the best car I have ever owned. Would love to have another. A dream come true. It has given me some wonderful times behind the wheel between NY and NC. (Hope my luck continues now that it is paid off).

• 

  98 Continental - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By salesman - November 4 - 10:00 am

  After owning and maintaining four Volvos, three Nissans , a Toyota, a Chevrolet, and a Pontiac, I can say that the Silver 1998 Lincoln Continental that takes a beating seving as my mobile office has been, per operating mile, the cheapest,most reliable car Ive ever owned. After 156,000 brutal miles it runs & rides like a champ. No torn seats. No cracked dash. No burning oil. Tranny shifts the same as when I drove it off the lot. Lincoln got it right on the 1998-2003 Continental. Im going to keep on driving it. But I am seriously considering looking at an Aviator when the time comes because of my experience with the quality of the Continental.

• 

  best car ive ever owned. - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By mlawler - November 3 - 4:20 pm

  I really love this car its great and it rides great and I turn heads all the time in my Lincoln town car and everyone compliments me on the way it looks its a very classy car and u get the quality that u expect for the price I will never buy anything else after owning this town car I fell in love with it. Anyone looking for a great car here it is the Lincoln town car executive.

• 

  Fun to drive!!! - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Jesus C. - November 2 - 1:00 am

  I have had this car for almost a week and so far it has performed better than any other car Ive owned. Acceleration is responsive. According to the salesman the computer system will adapt the gear shifting to my style of driving. This is why it does not have a manual shifting option. Doors open and close with little effort. I researched the Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Maxima. The closest that compared to the Zephyr is the Maxima 3.5 SL version. The drawback of the Maxima is its interior style. Zephyr int/ext combo is by far the best for the price. Im definitely looking forward to keeping this car for a long time.

• 

  2001 Lincoln Continental - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By superjohn - October 30 - 11:23 am

  very nice car a true top of the line American Sedan. Lots of power and its smooth. The 275hp v8 is nice prem fuel is recommended but with the knock sensors on every cylinder its not needed 87 octane is fine. I went with the goodyear tires. and a K&N air filter I am getting 21mpg.

• 

  My Lincoln Ride - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By Robert W. Blackwood - October 25 - 8:13 am

  I really enjoy my Lincoln. It is the second L S I have Owned. My first was a 2002 LS. The power is great. it is real Quick. I tested a Chrysler 300 hemi It was quick, but did not have the luxury feel of a Lincoln. My choice was the LS.

• 

  Great truck - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Kenton - October 24 - 10:00 am

  My wife was driving an Explorer and wanted something that was a bit more on the luxury side. This vehicle fit the bill. This is the first vehicle that I got her that she really enjoys.

• 

  Power - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Kyoo - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This suv has the most power ive experienced in a SUV and Ive had a tahoe and an explorer. The ride is smooth but the engine occcassionally revs very high with noise to match. Middle row is tight but the overall appearance and luxury feeeling surpass the comfort of passengers.

• 

  Love my Aviator! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By N Lyons - October 24 - 10:00 am

  After driving a Suburban for eight years, the Aviator feels like a sports car! This SUV truly drives like a car. It is very responsive and fun to drive. Turning radius is awesome.

• 

  Lincoln Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By MHS - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Love it! It is really a great vehicle. I traded, reluctantly, my Acura MDX, now I am thrilled!