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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  Nothing better - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Sharlex - April 22 - 1:06 am

  This is the most enjoyable vehicle I have ever had the pleasure of owning. I love the luxurious interior, the beautiful exterior and flawless ride and handling. The bright cathode lights on the dash are gorgeous and it was worth every penny. I test drove many SUVs and nothing comes remotely close to the Lincoln Aviator.

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  Engine noise - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By Alvin - April 20 - 7:56 pm

  This is my first Ford purchase. Previouly I owned 3 Buick Riverias. I am very pleased with all tne new technology offered in the MKz. Thus far my chief complaints are I find the width of front seats about 2 inches too narrow and the engine sounds too loud,like a 4 cyl. I suspect the engine sound is the result of the fan blades on the engine. Very annoying>>>>

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  This aint no Explorer - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By E. Mayer - April 19 - 2:00 am

  We were in the market for an SUV with 3rd row seating. If this is you, do yourself a favor and test drive this SUV. Youll understand why most limos are Licolns - its all about the ride and this SUV delivers.

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  The Best Car I Have Ever Had! - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Holly - April 17 - 12:23 am

  I love my AWD MKZ. It handles beautifully and is a fun car to drive! This is my fourth Lincoln and wont be my last. I had 3 Continentals prior to this car and loved every one of them but this car is a perfect fit for me. I feel so safe and grounded in this car and it takes curves better than the Lexus GS that I have driven so often. MKZ is a great value for the money. The only thing I am slightly disappointed in is the gas mileage but with just 6300 miles on it I am told it will still improve. MKZ is a lot of car for the money. I am a loyal domestic owner!

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  GREAT CAR - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By paulie - April 16 - 10:53 pm

  What is all the bashing about? The MKS handles the Ozark mountain roads at 60 MPH easily. There hasnt been one thing wrong in over 14K miles. OK. YOU show ME where you can get: Adaptive Headlights. Auto windhield wipers. Auto brights. Dual Sunrooof. Heated AND COOLED driver and passenger seating. Sync. Rear back up cam. Softest leather, other than one Lexus. AWD. Room for 5 and a living room sized rear seat. 275 HP on REGULAR. I got all of this for 41,000 in November. Come on, this is to easy. Now, you show me another that gives all this. You cant, so quit the bashing.

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  5 month update - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By big baby - April 14 - 9:53 pm

  What a great car! Only problem Ive had is a very slight pull to the right which Ill take care of at the first service. On a trip from Dallas to Houston I got almost 32 MPG with the cruise set at about 68. Back home which is a bit uphill, and with a strong headwind got 28.5 MPG. Day to day driving which is about 80% city and 20% highway, the gauge has been sitting at 22.7 MPG for about a month. On regular gas! After living with it for a time I think the dash design needs an update (maybe like the new MKS?) but I can live with it. Engine is strong, tranny is super smooth. Trunk is large and the fold down rear seats really have been helpful. Ford has hit a grand slam on this puppy!

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  2005 Navi Ultimate - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By njbaran99 - April 14 - 9:10 pm

  have the Navi for 1 week now and lovethe SUV, so far. Strongly considered QX56/Armada but had concern on the brakes Issues. Also looked at Escalade, but felt too much like a suburban and Durango was just too small. Navi(s) are a highway cruiser if there ever was one. This beast weighs 6,000# which is heavy, but complements the ride and adds to firmness on the road. A little concerned about expected reliability, as some have reported major electrical issues, hope they got all this figured out by the 2005 Model. I got the Navi just under invoice with all available incentives, so it was a bit pricey, compared to some alternatives, but plan to keep it long enough to enjoy as it depreciates.

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  Excellent Automobile - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By WIDOLLAR - April 14 - 6:50 pm

  Its most unfortunate that Ford Motor Company could no longer build and offer this fine automobile. Design, comfort, safety, and fun to drive, this car has it all! Maybe some day Ford can offer the Lincoln Continental once again! I would sure take one for a testdrive, and if it passed all my tests, I would not hesitate to buy one! Ive had two of them.

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  Awesome Town Car! - 2010 Lincoln Town Car
  By RWaters - April 13 - 10:50 am

  This is my 16th Lincoln Town Car since 1986 and it is the best Town Car I have owned to date. The elegance, style, comfort, handling and amenities are awesome as usual. The 2010 Town Car is still the best American rear- wheel drive sedan on the market today.

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  My Texas Town Car and Im not from Texas - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By BobRod - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I recently obtained my Blackwood and foud it to be quite unique. Remember, this is not a truck. The only thing that resembles one is the four door cab. The Blackwood has most of the Lux items including AC seats. The Box is absolutely beautiful. Has 4 cu. ft. more room than the Town Car. Ford invested a lot of Money in this Vehicle. I wouldnt be surprised if this car cost Ford around $150,000 to build or more. I Love driving my own personel Concept vehicle. Get one while they are still available. Price is down now if you shop around, but watch out, this might be the next collectable. So dont wait too long