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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  Its just OK! - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By LisaF - September 24 - 8:07 am

  If you have your phone using the Car Play, you cannot use the navigation on the vehicle. It makes you use your Maps on your phone. The SIRI is horrible for the phone. If you are trying to call someone it doesnt always work correctly. So all in all, you cannot use your phone for a phone call if you want to use the autos navigation. Also, there isnt a heat vent near the drivers door. When the heat is on, its freezing on that side of your legs. This is literally the worst car I have ever leased. The car does not have a great turn radius. All of my other vehicles, and I have had some very nice vehicles, they can turn on a dime. This one, no chance. The AWD is terrible in the snow and slides all over the place. The gas mileage is the worst I have ever had. I cannot get over 20 mpg. I am so disappointing with this SUV. If I wanted something this cheap, I would have gone with the regular Edge.

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  a great new car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By bob turk - September 24 - 3:03 am

  this car is fun to drive. It corners very well . For a 6 cyl it has excellent passing ability. Engineering has done an excellent job of matching the gears to the car. The interior is very pleasing to look at, and it is easy to see the controls at night. I would not hesitate to buy another one. I have put on 4900 miles on since november, and enjoyed every minute of them . A marvelous car for the money.

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  Better than I expected - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Richard - September 22 - 1:13 pm

  Definite head turner. Gas mileage isnt great, but filling with regular is better than supreme. Interior instruments are very user friendly. Brakes are a little soft. Very smooth ride. Everyone who sits in the back seats have plenty of room and love the vista roof. Lots of extras like heated and cooled front seats, reclining back seats with one touch fold down, auto liftgate and rear sensors make this a great deal.

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  Have you driven a Lincoln SUV lately - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Leem - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Test drives X5, Toureg, RX330, MDX, XC90, and Aviator. Aviator agreed by ALL family menbers within seconds. Bought right after test drive. Cant imagine Lincolns SUV is with great handling and comfort; enven the quiteness is better than RX330. Have you driven a Lincoln SUV lately?

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  We Luv It! - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Luv It - September 18 - 5:26 pm

  We bought this car in March for my wife and WE LUV IT. Yes I said WE. I drive the car every chance I get but it is suppose to be her car. The look of the car is vary similiar to the CTX but I think this car gets you equal or better looks, more options, and equal or better quality. This car is sweet. If you get a chance to test drive one of these do it before you buy something else...youll LOVE IT.

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  Easy Rider - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By 3 in a row - September 17 - 10:23 am

  Solid as Grandpas Reo but a lot easier to drive. Im a long distance type and take a couple of 3000 mile trips a year. Nothing out there compares with the piece of mind and comfort steering this big beast through mountain roads and big city traffic. This one is a duplicate of my 2003 but for some reason feels a little more solid if thats possible. Cheapened the sun visors for some reason but seats seem softer and this radio which was a pretty cheap up grade is better than the $600 rig in my sons car. Other than that its the same car. I hate to keep hearing that Ford wants to drop the model. The limo people must be worried.

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  Keep Duct Tape Handy - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By John from Cincinnati - September 16 - 9:53 pm

  Most of the time, I have truely enjoyed this vehicle. It was 3 years old when I purchased it, but only had 4,500 miles, so was almost like new. It is a very quiet car and comfortable. My major "beef" is with the window regulators. I have needed to have all four rebuilt! You can be driving along when a window simply falls down, off the track. I keep duct tape handy so I can tape the glass back up until the dealer repairs it again. Lincoln will not admitted that they have a serious design flaw. Very disappointing. No more Lincolns for me!

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  Whats next for the naviF - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ellison-Murrell - September 13 - 7:03 pm

  For the most part its been great a few ups and downs but we made it through

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  Great car! - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By OldTar - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this car about 20 months now, and while my wife initially was intimidated by it, she now refuses to even consider any other vehicle - and weve had everything from Mercedes to Pontiacs!

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  A very comfortable car - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Wyndol S - September 13 - 2:00 am

  The ride and handling is much improved over previous models. The power is very good considering this is a regular gas engine (which is a plus in my opinion). I love the back up warning system. The only negative I have is the clock. Hey Ford, stop using 22 year old fresh out of college designers to design a vehicle purchased by 60 year olds. The clock is way too small and the background colors make it hard to see. Your designers should try reading the clock while wearing sunglasses. Next time design a clock that is at minimum 3" in diameter.