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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  Great look and Smooth Ride - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Chief77 - July 18 - 4:13 pm

  Great looking car, that seems to gather a postive response where ever I go. Good but not great pick-up at lower speeds, but pretty strong in the 60+ miles per hour range, smooth transmission. Interior outstanding, in both look and feel, wonderful THX system, NAV is easy to use. Ride is a little floaty but overall quite and nice. blue/black combination was my selection

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  Love My Hot Rod Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By DizWiz - July 16 - 7:03 am

  This car can get up and go! It is smooth to drive and handles like a dream. Three free years of oil changes and other normal mileage work helps too. The rear wheel drive gives great handling at all times. This car is my baby. I love my little black car. I hope to drive and enjoy this car for many years.

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  linc cont - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By william warren - July 15 - 10:00 am

  A great luxury car. What a shame they stoped making this car.

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  Awesome! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By lincoln4life - July 15 - 2:16 am

  This vehicle is the best SUV yet! As soon as we bought it, we were soo happy, it looks great, and even when it is customized with 22 inch rims. It still rides smooth, I really love this vehicle, props to lincoln for making it. This vehicle will go very far, all the models from 2003-2006 are awesome! The vehicle year model of my Lincoln Navigator is 2003, which I think beats the 2004,2005,2006. Mainly for the fact that, it was in the making to have a new body, and being totally redisigned, its all because of 2003, that people have been buying Navigators. I really enjoyed driving this vehicle, I do not wish to buy any other SUV, this can beat any out there, whether it be escalade, hummer etc

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  Navigator - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By reltd - July 15 - 2:03 am

  Looked at Eddie Bauer, Expedition, Navigator, and Escalade. Liked the price of Expedition, but the luxury of the two other vehicles. Did not like the fact that the back seat did not lie flat in the Escalade. Was able to get a great deal on Navigator (less then wholesale). Purchased. If I had to do it again, I might not. I might go with the Expedition or Escalade. Im a little disappointed with Navigator. Interior trim work is not quality for the money. The gas mileage is low, not a surprise 13/17, but the need for premium gas was. The air-suspension ride is smooth, but not sure if it outweighs other drawbacks.

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  Great Design - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Rich Sera - July 14 - 8:53 pm

  This car is a very comfortable, nicely equipped vehicle. Itsinterior is well designed. The fit & finish are comparable to any other car. Quiet, smooth ride with a solid feel. Very little lean in turns.

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  I love this car! - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Cindy - July 13 - 7:40 pm

  I first owned a 2006 Zephyr, and experienced some minor problems, so upgraded to the 2008 MKZ, and so far, the problems are corrected. The car is awesome. I went from owning white, to vivid red, and it is GORGEOUS!!! A winner!

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  Love the Blvd. Cruiser! - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Aurora - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I traded in the 95 Town Car with 54k on the odometer and I can say I love the 2003 model. Living in Florida There are no hills or ice - and no need to be in a hurry. This Model is as good if not better then many other lincolns I have owned- Including my 98 LSC.

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  2016 2.7L Turbo-Good Stuff~Shes fully Loaded too. - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Chris Johnson - July 10 - 6:28 pm

  Drove two Lincoln MKX engines, the 3.7 and the 2.7 turbo. Drove the Lexus RX 350 Sport & Premium. Drove all lines of the Jaguar F-Pace. Drove the Ford Edge Sport. Drove Audis line. Drove Acura MDX.........I bought the 2.7L MKX. Frankly, I like every one of various manufacturers offerings. Honestly, you cant go wrong no matter what, we all live in the age of cool factor and quality overall. But what I wanted was the blend of comfort and dead quiet cabin, with a serious engine, and the 2.7L MKX fits the bill the best of everything I drove. The 3.7 MKX is fine, but seems a bit under powered to me. The 2.7, is a serious motor and for a car guy/gal, this will be worth the extra bucks. It just hauls when you need it, there is zero turbo lag, its there, its on, this is one very fast vehicle when the moment dictates. We have a fully loaded vehicle, you cant put a single option more on it. But if I could do it all again, Id opt for the 20s, rather than the 21 inch rims, Im just too nervous Ill scrape them when parallel parking, but the cameras all around, surely help in all aspects. Some niggly items that are a bit hard to get used to for me, I continue to phantom on the parking break with my left leg, the pull the button break thing will take some more getting used too. And the "push matic" gear selection, its just a bit laggy between gear changes. Some things Ive learned quickly in ownership here is that most folks probably will back off on some of the safety settings, otherwise youll fight the car for control. Itll beep at you, flash at you, and literally steer for you, which is all good, for some, not for me. Ive dialed back the settings to suit my needs. The steering wheel thing in full safety mode is a bit disconcerting if you even drift a hair from dead center in your lane. My favorite part of all though is the gas pedal and the 2.7 Turbo, I can just accelerate to match anything on the road, at any speed. Favorite part for my wife is the massaging seats, shes happy, Im happy, and we cruise down the road in style, only 50 years young, and chuckling that my grandparents in their 70s had a Lincoln!

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  Love this car - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By cb2015 - July 9 - 5:47 am

  Ive been driving a Lincoln MKZ 214, 6 cylinder, AWD since January and absolutely love it. I spent at least 8 months researching and test driving different cars. The Cadillac CTS had such a small interior and such a high price tag, as did the BMW 5, and the Audi 5. Plus their interiors were boring. I saw the MKZ in person and knew that was the car for me. I dont know why Edmunds gives it a C rating. I previously owned a MB C350 and an Infinity MX37 and they dont even come close to the MKZ as far as tech and overall comfort. I shouldve had the dealer include the module that allows me auto start the car with my iPhone....