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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  Very nice car - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Johnny - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my LS now for about 11 months and have loved it from the start - exceptional handling and sharp looking for an American 4d sedan. However, I probably would not consider this car again. For $40k I expect more than what I got - performance, service, sound system, features, attention to details on fit and finish. Lincoln just does not provide a reason for me to buy another one in 6-8 years.

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  Nothing Stops My MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By azucks - October 31 - 1:34 pm

  I have over 25000 miles on this car and have yet to have a problem. This car is the most reliable and unstoppable car that i have ever owned. I live in NJ and have little country cottages up in upstate NY and going up those hills in a foot of snow and driving through the mud, sand, dirt, and grass has never posed a problem for my MKZ AWD. The AWD system is so advanced sometimes i think it does better than my LR4. The car is amazing in the bad weather and the engine is quite powerful. It is not a rocketship but its no slow poke either. Very few people will use the AWD system like i do for example i went up dirt/mud covered roads yesterday but it is still a nice accessory to have.

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  My 02 LS Experience - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By aSHOboy - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is a real winner when it comes to the "fun to drive" category. It has excellent acceleration and corners like its on rails, by far the best "road" car Ive ever owned! However, I dont think Ive had a car with so many squeaks and rattles before. The first ones started making noise at less than 1,000 miles, and its only gotten worse...much worse! The fuel economy leaves a lot to be desired as well. I have friends with 4.6L Mustang GTs that get better, or at least similar, mileage than I do with this little 3.9L V8.

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  Town Car - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By john - October 20 - 3:13 am

  Very reliable, gets 22.3 MPG average in winter. Have replaced breaks and tires due to normal wear. Best interior room around, very large trunk, very comfortable ride. Found it had better knee room than DeVille. Automatic mirrors seem erratic, but may need to be reset -not sure. Very satisfied -but wish they would upgrade gas tank to 20 gallons and improve gas tank safety for rear impact, although it is pretty reasonable now. Great seat warmer, or as I refer to it prostate warmer. Paint did tend to scratch easily on the plastic parts -perhaps some insufficiently durable water based paint used on those parts?? Very reliable and comfortable after 3 years of use.

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  Extremely Poor Reliability - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Rsmith - October 16 - 2:26 pm

  Enjoy the vehicle, plenty of power, comfort and overall utility. However, with only 75,000 miles, the following maintenance issues have developed. On three wheels the bearing failed,$1,600, the number eight cylinder is bad, requiring over $4,000 in repairs, transmission failed, over $3,000 repair, driver side window motor failed, $350 in repair, back window hatch cracked, and now the shift lever is bad. The dealer did not treat me as a valued customer, but tried to gouge me and stated that I should get rid of the vehicle. This is by far the most unreliable vehicle that I have ever owned. Wil never purchase another Lincoln or so called American car.

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  Never Again...... - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By stinkinlincoln - October 15 - 3:16 pm

  I bought the car with 23000 miles on it. After I had the car six weeks, it was in the shop. I had to replace a coil package...$800. I was told my warranty would not cover it?? I have replaced oxygen sensors (twice), ignition coils, and wheel bearings. The check engine light STAYS ON as well as the ABS light. It is now currently in the shop for ETC FAIL SAFE MODE. I will NEVER buy another Ford product!!!!!!

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  Lincoln Towncar Cartier 4dr - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By carl schoonover - October 10 - 11:00 am

  Overall this has been a great car. A few things quit working after 3-4 years. The cruise control stopped working and would cost $400-$500 to fix. Also, there has been a problem with the speed sensor in the right front wheel which affects the braking, although the braking is still safe it makes a groaning noise and sometimes pulls to the right. This has been fixed a couple of times, but persists. Otherwise, the car has be superb.

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  Great Car - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Randall - October 5 - 11:00 pm

  Great car. Some problems with the A/C. The power of a Mustang with top of the line luxury. Would recommend to anyone.

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  little problems - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By pam - October 5 - 11:30 am

  I bought my aviator used it had 22,000 miles. I love it. No big problems. Replaced a coil after 106,000 miles. The dash board lights some times go on & off, but easy to deal with.

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  2000 Lincoln LS 5 Speed - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By baahsten - September 28 - 5:30 pm

  I bought it used in 2001 with 5,700 miles on it. Had a bad clutch at 17,000 miles. Many mechanical problems under 5/70 warranty too. Another clutch and new flywheel at 57,000 miles ($1,600). Had Catalyst converter replaced under mandatory federal laws at 62,000 miles. Replaced defective PCV hose at 68,000 miles. (You gotta take intake off to get to it) Difficult to work on engine however nice to drive. This is the longest car I owned, Kept it because its an 5 Speed manual. However thinking of trading it in.