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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  Beats Lexus 350 IMO - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Clayt - September 23 - 1:00 pm

  My wife has been driving a Lexus 350 (3 different year models) for nine years.With nothing exciting about the Lexus styling anymore, we jumped to the Lincoln MDX. We sure dont miss the Lexus for a second. For a man, the Lincoln is a much better fit. I dont have to contend with the pull-down skinny armrests any longer when I drive it. And the features have it over the Lexus by a mile. Dont have to pay an extra $3500 either for blue tooth as in Lexus. Lincolns phone sync is great. Gas mileage is better than Lexus at 24mpg on road, and the sun roof is fantastic. I love this crossover and will get one myself at the end of 2009.

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  Dont drop the line - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By John Yurchenko - September 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my fourth Continental and the last two service wise have been excellent!! Have never taken car back to dealer for problems, not even a rattle or squeeke!!

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  King of Comfort - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Binger - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Call me a dinosaur but I love this car! My dad always drove them and I wanted one since I was 24 years old. I am tall (65") and just feel more comfortable in a big car. It has ample exceleration and gets 24mph on the highway. At 70 K the only problem has been the horn going out. No other problems.

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  I love my car - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Wade B - September 17 - 1:30 pm

  I have had several cars including a 1995 Toyota Camry, a 2008 Mercedes E350, etc. This is by far my favorite. I plan on keeping it awhile.

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  My second LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Manolakas - September 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my second LS and I like the car. It has plenty of power and is very comfortable. I always have foriegn luxury car owners stare andcompliment my car. The only real problem is the stereo. My first LS came with a 12-speaker Alpine; it was the best stereo I ever heard. The latest LS has a 12-speaker Audiophile; it is terrible. If you get the car, upgrade to the THX system; it has to be better.

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  Lincoln LS Rules! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Mr Lincoln - September 14 - 10:00 am

  The Lincoln LS is a awesome machine hands down and if you dont think so it means you havent ever driven one... The handling is great, power is good from the V8, it looks great... Yes, of course there can be improvements - and we all know about the interior storage, cupholders, armrest, yes the trunk hinges get in the way - but overall a 9 out of 10...

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  Best ever owned - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By landoncube - September 14 - 10:00 am

  You cant beat this Lincoln!

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  Almost perfect - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Chip Nickolett - September 10 - 10:00 am

  Overall I am very happy with this car. The interior layout is pretty good, but there are a few buttons that are hidden by the steering wheel. The radio would be easier to use if it was angled slightly towards the driver. The biggest surprise was the little things that should have been caught in the factory. There was a small grinder mark in a corner on the hood, there is a slight amount of welding splatter under the driver door handle, and the alignment of the body side molding is not perfect on one piece. Its the little things that Lincoln could improve upon in order to better compete with the German and Japanese.

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  Cheap Luxury Car - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By someone - September 7 - 9:00 pm

  This is a really nice car. They are a little expensive, but it has nearly everything a Mercedes-Benz S550 has for less than half the price. The back seat is huge in the Signature L, and very luxurious.

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  I love lincolns - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Brett - September 7 - 4:10 pm

  I have to say this is one of my favorite cars of all time. I am so happy with my decision. The only problems it has is the window regulators go out early. Lincolns often have problems with transmissions unless keenly looked after. Other than problems listed the car is fantastic, fast, comfortable, and most importantly reliable. I certainly recommend this car to anyone who likes class. Take care of it, itll take care of you.