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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  Best Lincoln I Ever Owned - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By alexvaughn - February 1 - 11:00 am

  Live in FL we drive to MA we average 27 mph doing 70. We love the car. Have nothing wrong with it & its very comfortable to drive. I loved the dash on my 95 better

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  2013 Lincoln Hybrid (Lemon) - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By zbrid2013 - January 31 - 7:06 pm

  Purchased this car in 2013 and it received only 36 MPG and I was sold on 45 MPG combined. Instead of Ford offering me a new car that actually worked, I had to file a complaint under the Lemon Law. The case has been settled and they have purchased back the car.

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  excellent - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By bob turczynski - January 31 - 3:13 am

  great car

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  troubles,troubles for my 98 lincoln cont - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By ray suto - January 30 - 7:26 pm

  I have since 12/02 out of my pocket apprx $3600 in repairs to my 98 Lincoln Cont....I bought it with 58,000. It now has 112,500 mi as of 4- 13-09. Additionally, under warrenty, $1800 was incurred. In 2007 I spent $400 for body work. Totally, not counting normal oil changes and tires, this vehicle has apprx $6000 in repairs and body work. Included in repairs wass a $1300 transmission (2008) 111,000mi. Ignition coils, actuator, brakes (twice) front and back. rotors, etc. front coil spring broke, ball joints, tie rods, speed sensors, knuckle front wheel, etc, etc......Pretty expensive for any auto. Not a happy camper.

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  America does it right - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By CharlieB - January 27 - 3:30 am

  After 50 years of owning autos , I have found this Town Car to be the best . Comfort, relibility, 30 mpg on the highway, no wind noise, easy to drive, auto trunk, auto headlights and wipers. Well worth the money

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  American luxury at its best - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By golfnut - January 27 - 1:20 am

  Traded in my 02 LS for the 06 LS. What a shame that Lincoln has decided to table this car - it is simply fantastic. Compared this car to the BMW 5 series. The Lincoln has as many, if not more luxury features at a fraction of the price. Handles smoothly and has great looks. It is a real head turner. Lincoln finally corrected the lack of interior space and added 17 inch wheels. The gas mileage is not great, but it is not terrible either. It is comparable to other cars in this class. The LS is a blast to drive and it will not break the budget. My out the door price before the trade was $33,268.

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  Unless you make six figures...DONT BUY - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Procks55 - January 26 - 2:16 am

  I bought this when I was in my early twenties before I knew about researching a vehicle, now in my late twenties I know better. I understand vehicles come with some repairs however my list of repairs are ridiculous: Plugs, Coils and Valve cover gaskets replaced on both sides twice, new transmission, new alternator, two bad wheel bearings, bad ball joint, two window regulators (my fault) and my favorite feature is when it is super cold in our MN winters it doesnt like to start very much. What a joke, some of the things listed could pertain to my driving habits but not all of them. All in all unless you are a millionaire forget about it.

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  LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By rhahnke - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Defines excellence in every way, always an eye catcher where ever I go.

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  Happy and safe driving - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By john Steinbruck - January 24 - 10:00 am

  We are extremely pleased--especially with admiring comments.

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  Mongos Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Cdmongo - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The Aviator is just the right size for the V-8 power plant. It is nicely designed with a rich interior, great sound system (6-CDs) and an airconditioning system (including the seats) that can keep anyone cool on the warmest of summer days. Mongo