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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  Extremely Dissatisfied - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Filippone, Robert A. - June 16 - 12:36 pm

  My first "luxury vehicle". I have had 12 Ford Motor Co. products in my lifetime. Always had very good luck with each of them. 100000+ miles on each. I keep my vehicles at least 8-10 years. Take excellent care of them. Have never had a complaint about any. When I retired, I decided to upgrade into a "luxury vehicle". Have never had such a vehicle in my life. Thought I owed it to myself. When the Aviator came out in 2003 I was impressed. I purchased a "DEMO" with 1411 miles on it. I was thrilled to death. Immediately I had ignition problems. Not once. not twice, but five times. The same problem. It was solved eventually, but only after being towed and inconvienced five times.

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  Great Car - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By dwl - June 15 - 3:00 pm

  I purchased my 98Lincoln Towncar Executive from my father at 117000 miles a year ago. He bought it at 50,000 miles from a dealership, it had been a corporate program car. No problems with it. Excellent car. Rides nice, no engine sound in the cab, no problems. My father replaced the upper and lower ball joints before I bought it and did some exhaust work. I put new spark plugs on at 100,000 miles. Otherwise nothing has been done to it. I get 24.5 mpg at 65 mph down the interstate. Ill get almost 30 if I drive 55 down the interstate. Trouble free and comfortable. My only complaint is it is horrible on snow-packed roads so I no longer drive it in the winter.

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  Awesome! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Marsha - June 13 - 12:13 am

  I really enjoy this vehicle. I currently am leasing,but I intend on buying the vehicle. It is comfortable, drives great. Has great pickup. Love the ride. I have 43,000 miles. I like the way the car looks too. I like the warranty that comes with the vehicle.

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  1st SUV - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Robert - June 12 - 8:13 pm

  The Lincoln Aviator is the first SUV that Ive owned. I am generally pleased with it, except that it gets terrible gas mileage. The interior is a little cramped when fully loaded with 7 passengers but it is much better than a traditional car. I bought it used with 20,000 miles on it and have had no problems except for the brakes. I may not keep it as long as I expected but that remains to be seen. By the way, the gas mileage improves significantly on the highway.

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  You can run but you cant see it - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By tcars1 - June 12 - 3:02 pm

  The My Lincoln Touch (my ford touch) system is a complete joke. 3 days into the car the system has crashed twice. 6 days into it the system has locked up, audio non-existant. Nav map comes and goes at will. The MFT system simply does not work. I dont care that it is "slow" but loses blue tooth every 5 min. and rebooting while using the nav is ridiculous. Now I am stuck with this piece of Sh*t. Dealers have excuses. Search MFT/MLT (I wish I did) and believe... you will be sorry you bought this car when you get your blank screen and have to pull over, restart the car and wonder if it will work. Starting everyday has brought on some other glitch.

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  won out over other test drives - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By justgotanaviator - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I drove the Expedition, Montero, Navigator, Sequouia and Tahoe, all with the decked out packages. The Aviator was a hands down winner. Quieter, more luxurious and more powerful (responsive to the quick spurts of acceleration). AND, the steering is awesome, European comporable for sure. Expensive on the gas but we only put 12k per year on our vehicle. For that, the luxury ride is unbeatable. There is no other vehicle for this price and this total package.

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  What a great Luxury Utility Vehicle - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By smith barney assoc. - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The smoothest most comfortable suv on the road. I traded my 2002 Cadillac for the 2004 Navigator and what a difference! A more solid, well put together vehicle. Its quite and a pleasure to drive. The navigation system is all touch screen and voice controlled with one dvd covers the entire USA. The power fold seats and power fold side mirrors are great, as well as the automatic liftgate.

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  navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By USERMRBIGl - June 12 - 2:00 am

  IT IS ONE OF THE BEST LARGE SUVS OUT ON THE MARKET ALOT OF LUXURY FEATURES COMPARED TO THE ESCALADE NOT SO BAD TO INSURE ALLSTATE HAS THE BEST RATE GAS IT IS AGUZZLER BUT IT IS A TRADE OFF WITH ALL THE SNOW THIS WINTER IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY

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  why the navigator is the best - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By mrtl321 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  It is the the most fun vehicle that i have had so far. it hast eonough power to get you where you want to go.

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  Car Review - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Big Guido - June 12 - 2:00 am

  For a large car that can comfortably carry "full size" Americans and their baggage, this car is the tops. The ride is sikly smooth and quiet.