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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  I Love It - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By JJ032004 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Drove an Explorer for years, looked at Pilot, Highlander, and Explorer to replace. Drove an Aviator on a whim, the family loved it! Fun to drive, pulled a trailer with no effort, ride is great, there was no comparison to other vehicles test driven. Handling is solid, seats very comfortable, even during several hour uninterrupted stretches of driving. Everyone I have had as a passenger has really liked the ride and internal comfort. Buying experience was the best I had ever experienced!

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  lincoln ultimate - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By thomas j. myers - March 3 - 10:00 am

  it was a step up in looking at the ford crown victoria and mercury marquis.. lincoln town car is a delight to drive. quiet, handling reasonable, has class look. fit and finish excellent. the list of standards is impressive. could not ask for more.

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  Salesmans Car - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By John C - March 2 - 3:33 am

  Ive driven this car 67,000mi in the past 18 months. As a salesman with high mileage, I luxuriate in its overall comfort. The huge trunk has an insert to keep loose articles secured below the false floor. This coupled with the limited use spare provides the most usable space in any trunk on the market. The plush leather seats are very comfy & real wood trim is classy. The navigation system is easy to use and very helpful. The backup assist, makes parking this large car a breeze. I average 24 mpg on regular gas. The brakes have been the only problem area. In the first 40,000 miles, I replaced all 4 brake pads & rotors. Beauty, comfort, low insurance & gas economy - Expensive but worth it!

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  nice - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
  By TCfan - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. This is my second towncar and its alot better than my old one. Better performance, reliabilty, and such. Love the trunk. Can fit my sound system, junk, and 3 baskets of laundry in it! Name me another car that can do that. You can also fit about 10 people inside the car if your good enough. Car is still holding up amazingly well for 140,000 miles. Still looks good. Everybody loves the car. Some people dont believe it has that many miles or that its a 1994.Be careful of the air suspensions on Fords. Make sure you turn it off before you lift it or else youll pay for a new one.

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  What it is worth TC - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By Steve Meikle - February 28 - 2:00 am

  This has been one of the most pleasant experiences I have had owning this truly fine car. Besides luxury and comfort is has economy not found elswhere, at least by me. Have taken trips that averaged 500 miles or more and recorded measured miles per gallon of 27.8.... A joy to drive, and safety all around, I will own another... smm

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  Perfect Ten - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Aviator Driver - February 28 - 2:00 am

  The Aviator is at the head of its class. Those who wouldnt even consider an Aviator simply because they are accustomed to purchasing imports such as BMW, and Mercedes Benz are missing out BIGTIME! All it takes is a comparison drive and the Aviator will certainly shine through. Verses the X-5, Acura MDX, Lexus GX470, and the ML500, the Aviator triumphs in ALL ASPECTS!

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  Vroom - PUTT PUTT -Cough - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Phillie Dee - February 28 - 2:00 am

  European Sedan handling but road noise is too intrusive. Gas mileage is disappointing and one major problem with the Engine, when pushed at a high rpm range for normal passing,the engine breaks up and misses. Ford claimed that its normal, but I did not buy that line of bunk, especially for a performance sedan. The Dealer is arguing with Ford about it now. We have a loaner, but Once fixed and the warranty is close to expiration, this car is history. I will go back to my full size Mercurys which offer much better value in room, comfort and reliability.

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  Great Lincoln Exec - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
  By MERT - February 27 - 5:33 pm

  Great car! If the new ones get any smaller it will be the last Lincoln that I will buy.

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  lincoln - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By mike - February 27 - 3:43 pm

  great car love how it drives and handles great experience with the dealer really was helpful

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  Second Great LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By JVW - February 27 - 3:30 am

  Leased my first LS and am buying this one. Had zero problems with the first one and am enjoying continued reliability with this one. Handles exceptionally well although the performance of the V6 is just average. Average mileage in LA traffic is 20-22. Great navigation system - easy to program and use. Unbelievably good THX sound system. Heated and cooled seats are great but I dont really use them that much. Great road-trip car, extremely comfortable and silent, plus nearly 30 MPG highway (actual). Design is my only complaint - dated but still very clean. Only recommendation would be if you can afford the gas (runs premium) Id pick up the V8/sport package for performance boost.