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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  Junky Lincoln MKX - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By junk12lincoln - June 28 - 2:30 am

  Do NOT buy! We have had our 2012 Lincoln MKX for about 5 weeks and we hate it! The list of problems is long...transmission is slipping, speaker blown (was like that when we picked it up), paint missing on the hood, MYTOUCH wont work, controls on the right hand side of steering wheel dont work and the vehicle keeps looking for the key. We have tried to get all of these issues fixed and the dealership was no help. Finally took it to another dealership but no help. Dont bother calling Lincoln because they have the worst customer service ever! Plus this vehicle gets terrible gas mileage!!! Do not buy this vehicle!!! We cant wait to get rid of it!!!!!!

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  Once Lincoln, Now Buick - 2008 Lincoln Town Car
  By Now Buick - April 3 - 10:56 am

  Was driving the Lincoln Towncar. It just was not what Expected. When driving it made my dentures rattle if you know what I mean. After long trip it felt like someone had jumped on my lower back for hours.

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  fair - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By jack2468 - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I found this car to have major shifting problems similar to bucking when pressing on the gas. It drives good on the highway but when i stop and go the vehicle throws me, Also, my transmission was replaced in the first 7 months but the problem still exists as far as i am concerned drive it for your self to see if you experiencesomething different i am not completely happy but see for yourself

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  one of the biggest pieces of junk MADE - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By MACATXFL - January 15 - 11:43 am

  I have Owned around 40 Cars/Trucks/SUVs and this 2003 Lincoln Navigator is one of the biggest pieces of junki have ever owned . all started with the dealer selling it and 2 days later started having Electrical problems . i have had with this truck i will never own another FORD/LINCOLN ever again and i have owned 6 fords i can see why all the USA car makers are failing and going out of business they make junk plain and simple and can see why Toyota and Honda rule the auto INDUSTRY TODAY

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  Electrical Problems - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By bill - January 13 - 8:30 am

  Not one thing electrical on this vehicle has not broken down. Sound system, Reverse warning system, Navigation System, Heat, Air, Windows have all malfunctioned. Currently looking to bring in again for another heating problem. Also, vehicle is very loud. Vehicle also takes forever to heat up or cool down inside. Seat warmers take at least 10 minutes to start working. SUV also has leaking problems in the back due to poor craftmanship.

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  No More American Cars for Me! - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Never again - August 14 - 4:00 pm

  I swore after a nightmare with 1 other American car I would never own another - should have stuck with that! After having the car for 3 mos. (bought used at 2 yrs.) and 60,000 had to replace the rear axle = $1250.00. Hub bearings at 65,000 miles = $600.00. Automatic trunk mechanism at 70,000 miles = $400 to repair. Getting rid of this car....PRICELESS. The electrical system is failing, all the "fancy" gizmos either dont work anymore at all, or work only intermittently, and this is the biggest piece of junk Ive ever owned. Good riddance to the Lincoln Towncar. Goodbye, Ford, Hello Honda! At least our other car, a Honda is still going strong at 265,000 miles with very little $$ spent!

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  Cant wait to get rid of this vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Steve - August 3 - 7:06 am

  After sitting a stop lights and shaking and having 2 different dealers...the service managers are brothers...tell me 3 times that this Lincoln should sit at stop lights and shake..yeah right ! and having the rear differential replaced at 3000 miles...the a/c smells and the car still has only 12000 miles on it I cant wait to get rid of this piece of "junk". This is my fifth new Lincoln product in 10 years and it is not only my last Lincoln product but my last American car. No-one seems to care that this car absolutely runs awful including Lincoln customer service.

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  Sucks - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By jordan40 - July 26 - 2:46 pm

  I own a Lincoln mkx 2010 this SUV is junk, sluggish and the worst possible vehicle I own

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  I will never buy a lincoln again - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By gonzo13 - July 12 - 8:00 pm

  I bought this vehicle brand new in Oct 2004. When I bought it I was impressed with the styling more then anything else, but that quickly faded when the mechanical problems started soon after. I kept up on all required maintenance since I bought it. The problems started early on. From the climate control to the spark plug coils going out on me continuously. The gear shift leaver broke when I was putting it into park from drive. On the back tail gate there is a crack right below the back widow. I was told that it is a trend on these vehicles. I will never own another Ford/Lincoln product as long as I live. After all said and done, the dealership goes out of business. How ironic is that

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  Vibrating Down the Road - 2007 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Roger - July 6 - 9:40 am

  Extremely disappointed. Expected quality ride, however truck constantly shakes when driving, regardless of speed; and shimmies when brakes are applied. Have been to dealership 3 times and service manager responds with "I hate Ford; thats as good as its going to get". Would not recommend this truck or dealership. If you go over a bump, the back doors sound like they arent completely closed, which of course means truck is not as quiet inside as you would expect. Also, for a truck with under 10,000 miles, it idles roughly. I expected much more for the price. After meeting with owner, I expected some resolution rather than "it drives better than my Ford 350".