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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  Run Away! - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Chris Healey - December 11 - 8:26 am

  I was upgraded to the 2016 MKZ 3.7L (Edmunds wont let me select the 3.7L engine option), as a rental car this week and Ive been driving it all week. And I have to day this is the worst car in this class I have driven in a very long time. First off it is UGLY. I mean really ugly. At the front it is channelling a PT Cruiser and the back reminds me of some French car from years ago. In other words the great looks of the Fusion it is based upon have been kicked to the curb in favor of a monstrosity that no one could possibly find attractive. The interior looks like it might be premium in some aspects, but upon closer inspection, they disappoint. Edmunds was generous giving it a C. It feels lively enough off the line, but stomp the right foot and expect some disturbing torque steer. Ford engineers need to buy a VW GTI and figure out why a car that costs $10K less has solved the problem of torque steer, and they seemingly cannot. I enjoyed no aspect of driving this car. The handling sucks, it is not especially quick, although feels quicker because you are dealing with the torque steer drama. The interior lacks any kind of premium features one would expect of a car in the mid $30s. The car before the car I own now was a CPO Mercedes C Class. Given the choice between a 9 month old CPO fully loaded Mercedes, and this junker, its a no brainer. Dont like used cars, even CPO? Well heck, you can buy a Mercedes CLA or BMW 320 for the same price as this Lincoln. And the latter includes four years of free servicing, along with a ride and handling that will put this MKZ to shame. When the price tag tips past $30K there are a wealth of cars available from great very young CPO offerings, to excellent new choices. You have top of the line regular cars, and entry level luxury cars. And the bottom line; this car simply doesnt compete. It doesnt bring enough to the table to stand out, or even be noticed. I honestly cant think of a single match up with any $35K car, that this comes close to winning. To me the only buyer for this car would be someone who is a die hard Lincoln fan and someone who has never driven any other $35K car. Because trust me I have shopped this segment extensively and driven dozens of rentals in a similar price point, and everything trounces this car. The sad thing is, I actually have a soft spot for the Fusion. The most recent makeover that borrowed from Aston Martin styling cues was a huge upgrade on the old dated Fusion. So to give the Fusion the fugly make over, charge $15K more, and not even offer basics like an adjustable steering column or sunroof is kind of a joke. Make a list of cars priced $30K - $40K stick a pin in it, and youll have a better car than this. Edmunds says C, I say F.

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  NOT HAPPY - 2012 Lincoln Navigator
  By foxyd - March 20 - 4:29 pm

  Ive had more frustration with this vehichle than I can possibly imagine. Ive tried working with both the dealer and Lincoln to no help. If I were you, Id buy a Caddy!

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  Lemon Law Applies - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Kathy Davis - February 14 - 10:49 pm

  A 62k piece of junk. Right front running light went out before owning the car 2MONTHS. It has been the dealer SIX times and they can not fix it. In additional to that I have had many, many, many electrical problems with this car. The odometer has disappeared, the left turn signal light comes on when I have not activated it, the radio turns on all by itself, I get a gray shadow of the car on the center screen at the end of my driveway and the indicator alerts me with a red light, front left always, when Im in the middle of a double wide driveway (this has happened too many times to count) , back windshield wiper turns on by itself, once after leaving the dealership I had a repeating message about Pre Collision Assist Not Available & Service AdvnceTrac in a constant loop until I turned off the car. Ford has been unable to duplicate all of the issues even after given proof of. I was told that the 2016 has a new Sync System and that could be part of the reason. I have had to contact an attorney and file a Lemon Law Suit against Ford as they just want to keep trying to "fix" the issues. Extremely disappointed in Ford. Should have bought another Lexus - I never had one problem with my RX330 in 12 years!

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  LEMON!!! - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Zibby - May 11 - 10:00 am

  This truck was nothing but problems for me. The airsupension went out at 25000 miles. The rear-end was replace at 32000 miles, but the dealer that I took it to still hasnt fixed the transmission problem. I took it 4 times, they said I needed new tires. The check engine light went on, spark and coil failure. I tried to contact Ford Motor company, but got now response at all.

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  05 LS V6 Update - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By 2005ls1 - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I now have 179,000 kms on this POS and its still "nickel and diming" me to death. The front end is rattling again after it had front struts, sway bar links, and tie rod ends installed at 145,000 Kms. The E-brake light is on and beeping. I dont use it so I dont understand why it would need service. The traction control switch fell through the hole in the console for no apparent reason. I had to replace the power steering pump because it was leaking badly. The oil pan is leaking again, at least I think its the oil pan. The coil packs (5th set) are due to be changed again because the car stutters at times and that lets me know the coil packs will need changing soon. FORD - you suck!!!

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  Piece of trash - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By LOUISIANA - March 20 - 1:06 pm

  I bought this car in 01/2007. Sold my SUV for this car. It has been nothing but trouble. Been shop more than out. Replaced wheel bearings four times, it has a rough idle that nobody can fine or the noise it makes in the dash.

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  to much trouble for new mkz - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By no more lincolns - February 12 - 1:03 am

  Purchased this car mid-09,has been in shop 6 times.First on brake rotors,car has bad vibration when acceleration 40 to 60mph,head light out {was an electrical box had to be ordered{over 2 weeks},back windows goes down halfway by their-selve,stero system goes in an out,service shop has put it on computers and test drove,reset computer stiil hesation, jerky when accelerating and lincoln now says its a normal for this car.I would like for any owners reply if they have or dont have this problem when accerlating at 40 to 60mph.

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  Ford POS in drag...... - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By blacklumix - November 19 - 8:15 pm

  6 out of 8 ignition coils went bad $250 per cyl; serpentine tensioner went bad $310; muffler sound deadener shot; trailer hitch rusting; rear hatch paint bubbled at 50,001 miles; rear heating/ac fan makes "popping" sound; air suspension not sounding right... CD player not working right.... and now, at 77,024 miles transmission just went bad - est repair $2000. For a vehicle we mainly drive to and from work and Costco, this so called top of the line gas guzzling beast should not have these kinds of problems at 77,000 miles. Ford should be ashamed. Instead, there is nothing they can do because its "out of warranty" and theyre "sorry you feel" like you were ripped off. No they are not sorry!

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  Couldve had a V8!!!! - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Joy - September 8 - 1:05 pm

  I bought it used. Beautiful vehicle. Took it home decided to give it a a good wax job and to my surprise the rust was eating it up. I took it back to the dealership for help with this. Nothing, it has 54,000 miles on it and they told me to contact Lincoln. No help there either. About a year later, I receive safety recalls, rust corrosion because the 2008 was not sealed properly. So check your gas tank straps and cooling system for excessive corrosion. Took it for inspection, even the covering on my shocks are ate off by rust. The entire frame is extensively rusted. Lincoln said to have it inspected. I did. Yes its extensive Ms dumbass for buying this vehicle, but no safety issues so nothing will be done. I call bullshit!! This vehicle has been nothing but a money pit. BEWARE!! I will never buy another FORD product.

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  Rusty paint product - 2013 Lincoln MKX
  By hpp2 - July 18 - 12:49 pm

  My MKX is only seven months plus old with all features warranty plus anti rust package. But I am disappointed to see my MKX with rusty condition and not getting a proper help from Ford. I would request all of you who has this vehicle go and check if you have such issues for safer side otherwise it will be too late to react.