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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  awesome vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By trev6971 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  comfortable, plenty of power, gas mileage could be better 16mpg

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  The Great Lincoln Town Car - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Joe Atkins - October 24 - 6:20 am

  I was promoted at work and needed a car that I could drive a lot between stores and pick up execs from the airport and drive them around. The towncar has been the best decision. Its ride is outstanding, the gas mileage is good, and the comfort and style of the interior keep the comments coming from everyone that rides. I have not had one issue mechanically from this car and I drive 3000 miles per month. Every mile I drive is with a smile on my face.

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  Town Cars Are Better - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By Greg - October 23 - 12:13 am

  I am very pleased with 2007 Town Car Signature. This is my seventh Town Car and I have to say it is the quietest one to date. I have owned TCs from the seventies, eighties and nineties. The styling is much improved over the 1998 through 2002 year models. The build quality and quality of materials is excellent. Not a single problem with the car. No trim falling off, etc. Very well built.

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  2006 Lincoln Zephyr review - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By mike35z - October 20 - 7:00 am

  This is a wonderfull car to drive and just enjoy. I have the standard audio system in it, (not the THX), and it is excellent, clear and vibrant sound, has unique audio tuning features. The car is very quiet, I used to own a Grand Marquis, and the Zephyr is quieter then the Grand Marquis. The ride quality is very nice, handling is very precise, and acceleration is splat on the money, no lag. I highly recommend this car.

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  Comfortable - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By hunter - October 19 - 5:16 am

  Comfortable and heavy duty. Worth the small amount of extra gas it uses over lesser cars. Ford has done an excellent job in designing and building this car.

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  2002 lincoln town car - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By elwood ingalls - October 18 - 2:00 am

  a very good car which gets much attention from other car owners. have been responsible for more lincoln sales because of my satisfaction.

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  Solid, Silent, & Stylish - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By pilot_guy - October 15 - 12:10 am

  After 2 months of shopping, we traded in our 8-year old Volvo XC70 for the MKX. It matched our driving style perfectly (suburban errands and roadtrips in Minnesota), and is every bit as solid as our Volvo. Loaded it with every option except the "cargo convenience" package. AWD was a must, as were heated seats. The MKX is only one of the group (Lexus RX350, Acura RDX, Volvo XC60, etc) with the higher ride of an SUV, without the attendant "roll" and bumps. Noticeably quieter than the others. The MYSYNC system works very well, but you MUST have the salesman walk you through the features, and limitations of the voice-activated interface. The two-tone leather interior is sharp. Avg 19 mpg

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  My first LS...fun so far! - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Stan Smith - October 13 - 12:23 am

  I traded in a 2001 Linc Continental for a 2004 Linc LS V8. So far, so good, with a few exceptions - the heated/cooled seat fans are noisy. The steering wheel squeaks. The transmission gets "confused". The front seats, especially the drivers seat, needs to go back a tad further. I am 5-10" and with my foot on the pedal, my knee is slightly bent - it shouldnt be. Definately a sporty feel - not a "comfort" ride like the old Continental. Overall, I am satisfied.

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  Aviator - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By dfsreb - October 9 - 12:06 am

  The convenience of a luxury SUV with the performance of a Cobra. Lots of style and comfort. Enjoyable to drive on long trips with the climate controlled seats and power adjustments.

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  After 2 months, still love this car - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By hobby - October 7 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased this vehicle used and was quite impressed with the power, comfort and handling of this car. The V8 spins up quickly and the car eagerly handles the twisties. I also like the elegant comfort of the leather seats. I dont know what else I could ask for. I was surprised that Lincoln could build such a nimble car with room for my family.