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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  cruisin - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By cranapple - July 4 - 11:33 am

  the car magazines dont get it when it comes to this car--its meant to do a few things very well--carry people and their belongings quietly and comfortably---its not a porshe-its the great American cruiser

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  My car thats a Truck! - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By speak2u - July 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is great at what it does and is for its intended owner. I get the interior space needed for a large person over 62" and 200 lbs. It has great road manners,the engine provides very nice low end pick too! The super street rod looks get the eyes of everyone.Its loaded with techno- gadets that make it a timely vehicle. I never haul wood so I didnt need a truck for that purpose, but I do like the ability to drive a SUT/SUV that I can claim other than sharing the family SUV with my wife! I love my car..oops truck and the attemp of Lincoln to enter unchartered waters. Sorry it did not last... not really. I like the thought of a collectors dream!

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  Great vehicle, bad fuel economy - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By ericw - July 4 - 9:43 am

  I have owned my Navigator for 4 years, and bought it with 21000 miles on it and now have 125000 and it runs like the day I bought it. Drives and runs great, this vehicle is tops in every category except fuel economy, but the ride and comfort almost outweigh the frequent, costly trips to the gas station. In 100,000 miles I only have done routine maintenance.

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  one of the best cars everrr - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By cole - July 4 - 5:56 am

  i bought this car in 2004 with just over 40000 miles when i was only 18 years old, it was and still is my first car.you cant imagine what i have don to that car , two words (extreme abuse) cus i used to drive really really fast. i really admire the heavy engineering of this car. A++++++++++++++++

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  Sync Not Ready for Prime Time - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By linkstur - July 3 - 5:27 pm

  Ill give the car high marks even though there are definitely problems with the touch system. I personally have an issue with my phone not staying linked to the car. It constantly disconnects, then re-connects. 4 to 6 times during a 20 minute ride to work. The computer thats in the car reminds me of an old 386. It works, but works slowly (relatively speaking). It sometimes takes 20 seconds or more before the radio starts playing after start-up. NEVER try to use the touch screen before the system is completely loaded...(about 45 seconds). If you do, it will not work well. But all this can/will be fixed. Most everything else works fine, and theres a LOT of very cool stuff.

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  Big safe on gas and very comfort - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Frances - June 30 - 12:20 pm

  We own this car 2012 MKZ Hybrid for few years now, still like it very much. It have 36,000 miles now and is 42.3 miles MPG. Love the interior and exterior design. Lincoln does great job on this model. Very easy to parking and so easy to get in and out. Feel so quiet and wonderful feeling with this cost and have all good quality performance. The driver seat is very comfortable and outward visibility is great. Feel very safe to drive and enjoy on long distance travel with this car. So far, Everything we love about this car....Great looking and safe and comfort!

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  Greatest Car - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By Milton - June 30 - 10:00 am

  Bring it back PLEASE!!!!

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  Linclon Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Amiee - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I love this car it is the best car I have ever had.It is my favorie car ever.

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  Reliable, big and comfortable SUV - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By Costa - June 30 - 3:44 am

  We currently have 130k miles and no major problems. The car has been very well maintained its entire life. The rear air suspension was a problem, but if you convert it to a normal suspension you can bypass the ongoing problems of an air suspension once it gets older. It is very large and comfortable and still feels like a new vehicle. It is smooth and quite and the acceleration is good for such a large vehicle, as you would expect it does not handle like a car but I think it handles fairly well for a giant SUV. We have the 4WD version so our MPG may not be as good as a RWD model but even still it is not bad for this size vehicle. We average around 15 MPG in mixed driving but on highway trips it can get around 20 MPG. It drives great on the highway in the rain. We have never towed with it but like the fact that the tow package is cover with a plastic cover in the back bumper so you dont see the tow hitch or wires. Even though its a 2007 I still think it looks good outside and inside, the interior does not feel dated, plus it has all the features you could want, even heated and cooled front seats. My wife has a new smaller 3 row SUV but doesnt mind driving the Navigator and likes being a passenger in it.

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  Trouble-free LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By jerry2281 - June 27 - 11:40 am

  I special ordered and leased a 2001 LS Sport V-8 in December, 2001. It has been trouble free. It is the best value for the money for a near-luxury sport sedan. Gas mileage-27 mpg @ 79+ highway. Comfortable with many nice interior touches. Race-derived suspension and power to spare. It will be replaced at lease-end with another LS.