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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  3rd Navi - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By 325ic745iNavi - February 25 - 2:03 pm

  07 Navi may have some styling flaws (gauge array) but otherwise gets a bad rap. Far superior to Escalade in interior and build quality (real wood, tight fitments, etc.,). I want a quiet, safe (side airbags, not avail on Escalade) ride, not a hopped up plastic pimped out ride thats so loud I cant hear myself think.

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  Great Truck! - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By James - February 23 - 11:36 pm

  I have really enjoyed this truck! I used it as my daily driver for about a year, when I sold one car and was not sure which car I wanted to get next. This truck gets lots of looks and compliments, and it functions quite capably as a "truck" too! I have used it often to haul dirt, mulch, rocks, brush, trash, you name it - it does it all with style. It does a great job towing a 24 foot boat as well. Everyone who has ridden in it has commented on how nice the interior is and how comfortable it is. I havent put a lot of miles on it (16,000) but it has not given me any problems. I have heard they are not going to build it after 2008, which is disappointing because its really a great truck!

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  I love it! - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By C/Magnus - February 23 - 10:00 am

  I truely love this veh. It is very confortable although whish the drivers seat had more hieght adjustmanet. It handles very well with the full seven passenger load. I have 900 milres on the vehicle thus far and the milage had improved about two miles per gal for a total of 13 mpg in combined city and hwy driving.

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  best yet = love it - 2009 Lincoln Navigator L
  By Allan - February 22 - 8:23 pm

  This is my fourth navigator and first "L". It is by far the best yet. I absolutely love this vehicle. The Navigation is so consumer friendly. My wife has a BMW 750 which pales in comparison. I drove a Cadillac Escalade as a rental for five days recently and did not like it at all. The sync system has features not to be believed. Lincoln you really did it right this time!

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  Great Car!! - 2012 Lincoln Navigator
  By kllllllll - February 22 - 3:19 pm

  I truly enjoy this car. It is beautiful,and extremely updated in technology.I would recommend it to anyone!!

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  Disappointed - 2013 Lincoln MKX
  By lincolnnewby - February 19 - 10:38 am

  Wth all the hype about Ford comeback I find the Lincoln MKX very disappointing when comparing even to the Chevy Traverse LTZ. Lacks a lot of the finesse in features and even the "Premier" package cannot compare.....Lincoln is Higher priced but not worth it. No folding side mirrors, second seat not adjustable, no key memory for seat positions, lots less cargo space, electric seats lack adjustable features as GM has, lackluster engine and poor gas mileage.......Lots of other bad comparisons....Guess Ill go back to GM.

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  My 2010 MKZ vs. my 07 MKZ - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By Bob - February 17 - 10:30 pm

  I just turned in my 07 MKZ lease and leased a new 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Overall I am relatively happy with my new MKZ - performance, handeling, and ride have all improved, and the cosmetic changes for the most part are an improvement. I can however see where Ford has cut some costs in producing the 10 vs. 07 while adding $5,000 to the base price in just 3 years. My biggest disappointment is in the poor audio unit now standard in the base MKZ, the same unit that comes in a Ford Escape, Fusion or other Ford/Mercury vehicle. While the whistles and bells such as Sync, USB, and Bluetooth Audio are all great, the most important aspect of any audio system - sound quality - is very disappointing.

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  Good Car - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By CGS - February 17 - 10:00 am

  We have had it for 4 months now and so fare it is great all the way around

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  Perfect car. - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By edwin301 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This Town Car has been perfect. No problems at all. Everything works perfectly. Very quiet, great A/C, big trunk, and good gas mileage for such a big car.

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  Fantastic Vehicle! - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By willie - February 16 - 12:40 pm

  This car is like sitting in your living room. Rides beautiful. I bought it because its a fact that these cars will last well over 350,000 miles. Not bad gas consumption either for an eight cylinder. If I had the money I would by my in-laws a brand new one. Last years of life should be special for them.