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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  The Perfect Commuter Car - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Michael Lincoln - September 27 - 11:41 am

  This is a comfortable and reliable car to get you to work each day. It does not excel at anything and is very predictable. The exception is the Sync infotainment. Specifically the Applink function is hit or miss each day. I can blame my cellphone as it updates itself weekly or monthly, and Sync never updates. However, it always fixes itself when you disconnect the battery and reconnect. Other than that, I recommend you get this model used as it somehow depreciates to a lower amount than the same year Fusion, which it is based on. Maintain it and keep it clean. Lastly, use all the money you save with zero repairs and get a nice sports car, motorcycle, or boat you can have fun with on the weekends. Update 9-11-16: It is still a great car. Sync is a dud - at least Bluetooth works. Cant be bothered with disconnecting battery cable. Paint and interior holding up perfectly. Very quiet, very comfortable. Handling not as great as a BMW but did not pay alot for the car. No repairs - definitely a keeper. Update 9-12-17: Still a very good car. Sync is better since I installed a software update. Applink still bad, but at least now, Bluetooth connections will display song and artist. I have replaced the battery and tires. No problems in snow with Michelin Premier tires and AWD. Aside from oil changes, thats it. I would really like a new Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Shaker Hood as a play car - but hard to justify since this car has everything I NEED, just not everything I WANT.

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  Good Large American Sedan - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By steven7753 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 50,000 miles at one quarter of the original new price- i.e., ten grand for a 40 grand car with 50,000 miles. So far it has been a great large sedan. I wanted a large comfortable car with front wheel drive to commute in and for frequent trips where I take people and "stuff"...have put 16,000 miles on it and only brake work so far and transmission fluid changes...

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  Change for the sake of change, 2004 Nava - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By alanmc - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I love my Navigator except the interior. The predcessors interior was perfect; but it is as if it was redesigned purely for the sake of change! The driver windows controls on the center console; on a bright day, you cant see the information readouts [the white lettering is virtually invisible,even at night without taking your focus off the road]; the console lid makes access to the console contents very difficult; the power outlet is out of reach of the driver; and what idiot assumed that just because you want to play CDs that you dont need a tape player? Since the interior is where I spend my time, my next SUV will be an Esclade!

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  Lincoln for All - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Doug Blair - September 16 - 10:00 am

  Interior; Fit & Finish very good - equal to any other Lincoln on the market. Adjustable to multi-driver families. Holds up well with children, safety beyond compare. Exterior; Fit & Finish best in class. Ease of use (towing, entry, exit), drivability with small turning radius, great ride, best in class all around.

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  2000 lincoln - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By chris - September 8 - 11:43 pm

  I own a 2000 Town car. 10,000 miles on it. Looking to get a new one , but probably wont. Not too much change in the new 2006 model. Same low horsepower motor (235 hp). All the new foreign luxury autos have the power and speed to make a car fun to drive. Even the cadillacs have a powerful motor. And I still think the lincoln needs more front and rear leg room. The car indeed is a Beautiful car to look at, but needs to get with the times.

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  excellent Navagator - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By brookswa - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The only complaint.....gas mileage

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  SAFETY FIRST!!! - 2009 Lincoln Town Car
  By Dr. Robert Adkins - September 3 - 8:06 am

  We have owned Lincoln Town Cars for over 40 years. Never have experienced a disablement nor failure of any type. Yes, there are lots of more "modern" passenger car - all are built like drink cans - Unitized bodies that have minimal side-crash safety. The TOWN CAR and its two less expensive siblings are constructed as BODY-On-FRAME. This important safty construction (the frame is outboard (under the doors) is also utilized by Rolls Royce and Bently! See all the Ford Crown Victorias used as Polce Cars and Taxies - Safety is a major reason!

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  Nice but... - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By john - September 3 - 2:50 am

  Not a bad car but, the Lincoln LS had a lot more going for it. Where is the power articulating steering wheel? Why doesnt the "Easy Exit" go all the way back? Any kind of pull down for the trunk would be welcomed. The front of the headliner across the windshield seems to be missing a trim piece. Its kind of raggedy along the edge. No AC vents for the back seat. Even my VW has that. Mileage seems par for the niche. I do like the ride, and I like the look of it. Not a bad car just fell short here and there. Still a good buy for the price.

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  Glens Take - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Spoon - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I was one of the 1st customers to own a LS in April 1999 on a two year lease. This car was terrible with all the system (computer) and fuel problems I encountered. The car was labeled a lemon. I complained a total of 10 times to district reps. Finally, they gave and offered me another model of the same car in a 2001 version. I excepted. This is a wonder if it had some more get up and go. What a shame! Overall I should have waited for the LS-8.

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  LOVE MY HOT ROD LINCOLN - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By Don Spry - August 27 - 10:56 pm

  I bought this car in Arizona in summer, 2008. It had 85k on it. It was during the time of rising gas prices at $4/gallon and paid $5000. Having never owned a Lincoln, I thought now was the time to give it a whirl. The car is stunning to look at - with a Southwest Edition update. Folks tell me regularly how beautiful it looks. It is red, cream interior,cream faux convertable top, wrapped in chrome, and has some faux gold trim too. Very fetching. I have now driven the car 35k. Only problem was a minor sensor with the tranny that cost $10. The vehicle average about 20 mpg, which is okay for me. Biggest problem I have with it is the suspension. It bottoms HARD.