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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  goodness - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By car salesmen - December 13 - 10:00 am

  this is a very finely built vehicle.

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  Best SUV EVER - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Nils Muralles - December 8 - 11:56 am

  This is a big truck and I love every inch of it ! Lincoln nailed it when they came up with this body style . Once inside the cabin you are treated to the Lincoln comfort that I remember as a kid . It definitely rules the road , and knowing that it is the "most powerful SUV on the planet " only adds to the experience . I only hope when Ford changes the truck in 06 or 07 , it doesnt ruin the appeal this one has .

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  Ive always wanted a Lincoln - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By bill powell - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I looked at every American and import but Ive always wanted a luxury car. I got my 95 Town Car from a dealership and probably paid too much, but alot less than any new car. My Towncar was imaculate with 62k original miles garaged.. exterior/interior like new..Preformance white outside gorogeous red leather interior..rides and drives like a dream... Oh Yeah,I read a review from EDMUNDS.COM before i bought mine..Right after we got it we did a road trip to New Mexico.. we averaged 28mpg for a V-8 real good specialy driving 85-95mph

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  Satisfied Owner - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By popepad - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Although weve only owned our Aviator three weeks and 1100 miles, it is a marvelous vehicle. We have a 2001 Explorer V8 AWD which we love, and this Lincoln is a big step upward. This is surely the pinnacle of American SUV engineering. Although the foreign-is- better crowd will turn up their noses at this truck; it is beautiful, well- made, great-handling and powerful.

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  Nice Job, Lincoln - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By bonedoc - December 6 - 8:06 pm

  This car is highly underrated, and I am glad. I love being one of the only cars like this on the road- I get looks every day. I test drove/researched the Maxima, G37, XF, C class, 328/335, TL-S and A4. This is BY-FAR the best value for the money, and surprisingly great handling. I got this vehicle for cheaper than ALL of the above vehicles, while still getting more features than many above. And believe me, there is still plenty of acceleration for those in doubt. I have owned Lexus, Acura and Nissan and the build quality rivals all of the top names. Only quibble is the gas mileage, but probably b/c of my leadfoot. Great job Lincoln!

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  Love Hate Relationship - 2010 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ben Smith - December 4 - 4:00 pm

  I got this car for 2 reasons- Status and Space. Now I can find many more reasons then that why i should get rid of this car. It handles like a tank, has no technology, has a pathetic engine, feels like your driving over grenades when you go over a bump, over priced for what you get- I could go on all day. Its simple to fix to. Get rid of the body on frame construction and remove the solid rear axle. Then its the perfect car!

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  My first Lincoln, great SUV love it - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By ziear - December 3 - 2:56 am

  I bought this Aviator for my birthday and drove it from Philidelphia to Atlanta it drove like a dreams and continues to. Only thing that needs improving is the gas mileage. A fun hot ride.

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  FANTASTIC - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By LS1 - December 2 - 10:00 am

  BEST CAR IN ITS CLASS

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  best vechile i ever owned - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By listephens - December 2 - 10:00 am

  I am disabled due to a vechile accident, so i went looking for a bigger car. believe it or not my lincoln gets between 25 to 27 miles per gallon . Just about what my galant got. amazing warm seats when you have a long trip and back problems.

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  ls review - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By gphd - December 1 - 2:00 am

  The body hides the hidden power in this vehicle, when you pounch on the accelerator it gives a little rumble sound like youre driving a nascar, great to have an american car with a suspension that when making turns at any speed will give you the control to compliment the power.