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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  Bang for the Buck - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Dude - February 19 - 8:56 pm

  Very reliable car, better than the two BMWs I owned. Smooth, quiet ride. Tranny is starting to go at 94K but thats normal for these cars. Ill get it replaced. Looks great and other than the two coil packs that failed and the locked up rear caliper the car has been a real joy. Ill keep it another 94K and laugh at all the dopes with the leased status symbols they can barely afford.

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  MKZ update - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By teechee - February 17 - 12:20 pm

  Took the car on the road for a weekend trip. It handled flawlessly. Quiet, nimble, quick and smooth. I discovered that the car also has a lane keeping system that tightens the steering wheel should you drift out of your lane. The car has just over a thousand miles and the gas mileage is quite impressive. I have the 4 cylinder AWD. Cant wait to try it in the snow.

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  Lincoln Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By A. Curcio - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Runs on 87 Octane which is a plus. Has traction control and handles very good. A giantic trunk!, fold down seats and heat and air cooled seats. I thin it is a great buy for the money

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  2003 Lincoln Aviator premium Edition - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Rancher - February 10 - 2:56 am

  This vehicle rocks. purchased new I now have over 130,000 miles and still going strong. The ride and comfort is still exceptional. While this model does not have stability control or the roll over features it is a great vehicle. The car can be at a comfortable 70-75 miles per hour, and then go into passing mode quickly with no lag and hit over 90 with ease, and yeah I have done that both new and with current total miles. The engine is strong and sure. I am now having an issue with the differential and am looking for another Aviator to purchase. I have towed a 21 ft boat, two jet skies, with this car,(no, not all at once) and it still tracks smoothly with no sway. Would buy this again.

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  The Lincoln of the future. - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By CGGorman - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Thinking about a BMW? Audi? Lexus? Infiniti? Forget about the imports. This AMERICAN sports sedan will rock your world! Dont believe the luke- warm press, test drive one for yourself. The LS is the finest sports sedan America has ever produced. By many enthusiasts it is thought to be as- good or better-than the import competition. Support America and see Lincoln in a whole new light. Buy a LS. You wont regret it.

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  great styling, well equipped, Im satisfied - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By Leland - February 6 - 6:59 am

  i upgraded to the MKZ recently after having a ford fusion. i could not be happier. the styling and looks are fantastic. the car is quiet and rides smooth on the roads. the information system works fine after you learn to use it. this is my first hybrid and im very happy with the gas mileage.

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  Great Buy - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By Art Stauber - February 5 - 10:00 am

  surprised at the lower price of such a fine luxury car just a few years old.Also the fuel economy for such a performer is outstanding.On trips average about 29 mpg,in town about 22mpg.Great ride and great dealer support.Lots of electronics and appointments.I would highly recommend this car...

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  Questioning my purchase... - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By rbcastle - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my car on March 1, 2003 and since that time I have had my vehicle in the service department four times. The most recent incident was for a defective power steering rack, which needed to be replaced. Since this is such a new car, the power steering rack was not available and had to be stripped off of a new car in currently being built. Took almost a whole two weeks to get it back, which is better than the 30 days they originally told me. Hopefully I can overcome my thoughts about the car and finally begin to enjoy my purchase.

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  My 2nd big Ford - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Aaron Bouser - February 4 - 3:37 am

  I owned an 04 Crown Vic for a long time. I sold it to a friend and missed it, so I looked for another. Decent Crown Vics are getting harder to find, but these Lincolns are quite available. I am really sold on the Panther platform, and the Lincoln is mechanically familiar to me. Durable and relatively simple. I bought this car gently used, and I find that I like it more than the CV. Its a little bigger, a whole more comfortable, ride wise. Mine is a pewter, bluish silver color and I quite like it. The technology gap is a little behind some of my other vehicles, but they are newer. Mine has the back up beeper parking assist, which really works pretty well. It has a single CD player sound system. The sound, deep bass and crisp highs, is really good, but with no "aux" input, that really limits what I can listen to. Thats kind of a downer, but hey, it is an older car. One thing I love is the interior lighting. Each door has a light, each seat position has an overhead light and theres under dash floor lighting. Ten (10) lights come on when you turn on the interior lights. I like that..it looks cool. This car, like my CV, gets decent MPGs, especially for how big a car it is. Its whisper quiet inside and quiet enough that the guy at the carwash commented on it. The trunk is enormous. I play in a band, and its got plenty of room for two electric guitars in cases, my amp, gig bag and pedalboard. I can carry all my music stuff in the trunk and not have to put any items in the passenger area. Nice. Plus, the air ride suspension keeps the car level even with a trunk load of heavy gear. I love this car so far. The performance? Its not a drag racer and it stops like my pick up. I dont want that kind of performance, though. I want a smooth, quiet ride. Thats what I get with this car. After all, its a Lincoln.

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  Comfortable Land Yacht - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Tim R. - February 3 - 4:00 pm

  I have owned 4 town cars and one navigator. The town cars have all improved in quality, and this car is no exception. Very smooth, quiet, and the ultimate road car. I love the steering wheel controls for the stereo, ac, and Cruise. The car now has 122,000 miles on it. Repairs have included a new rear axle (bearings went out), 2 sets of brakes (rotors tend to warp), and 4 (!) new drivers side power window switches! The cd changer isnt working properly. Other than that, just regular maintenance. It has been quite reliable and gets reasonable gas mileage for such a large car. On state highways going 65, I get 27 mpg. On i90 going 80 mpg, I get 22-23 mpg. Very comfortable car!