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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  SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY EXPEDITION - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By WINGKING - January 24 - 10:00 am

  HAVING OWNED 2 EXPEDITIONS (2000 & 2002 I WANTED TO DRIVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WHAT A MISTAKE. THE CROME ON THE INTERIOR OF THE NAV. IS PUT IN PLACES WHERE THE SUN IS ALWAYS HITTING AND SHINING IN YOURS EYE. NOT GOOD FOR SAFETY. HAVING TO USE PREIMUN GAS IS ALSO A BIG DRAW BACK. THE DRINK HOLDERS ARE NOT AS USEFUL AS THOSE ON THE EXP. I DRIVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES A YEAR AND GET A NEW CAR EVERY 2 YEARS I ALWAYS BUY THE EXTENDED WARRENTY AND ALWASYS SELL MY CAR TO ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES, PROBABLY WONT THIS TIME. ITS A NICE VEHICLE BUT NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY.

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  Best Sleeper in its Class - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Todd - January 24 - 8:13 am

  This car is amazing. The perfomance and handling are a major surprise. I am extremely pleased with the smooth ride and handling characteristics at highway speed.

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  Best of the Lincoln Line - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Tom - January 22 - 10:00 pm

  Excellent Gas milage. Very comfortable on long trips. Sporty look and feel. The options of three ride modes and steering modes were a great feature that all sport enthusists will enjoy. The V-8 performance is a great engine to satisfy the high performance person. Why oh why did they stop making this line?

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  1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By sig96tc - January 20 - 5:22 pm

  Purchased in 03 with 52K, now has 265,000 miles. Engine has never had the valve covers removed. I have no plans of getting rid of her. These cars are cheap to maintain with plenty of original parts on ebay etc.. Obviously I have taken care of it.

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  DeLinc - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Derrick Dobbins - January 20 - 10:00 am

  It is a great vehicle. The ride, performance, as well as the look of the vehicle is great. I really like the message center and power driver/passenger seat, and the double arm rest. Overall, I made a very wise choice.

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  Never again - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By kirkyrt - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this vehicle for 6 months and have already had to have 3 coils changed and the radiator fan. Not only has it been unreliable but the road noise is herendous. I can barely hear my self think. If Lincoln LS is considered to be a luxury sports car then they have a long way to go.

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  SAFEST SUV ON THE ROAD - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By JOLENE JENKINS - January 20 - 10:00 am

  HI, I AM A LINCOLN NAVIGATOR OWNER. I HAVE OWNED 3 IN THE LAST 6 YEARS. PUTTING OVER 200,000 ON THE FIRST TWO, AND JUST PURCHASED MY THIRD. I SWEAR BY THIS TRUCK, I KNOW WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING MY TRUCK IS GONNA START, ITS GONNA BE WARM, COLD WHAT EVER I WANT IT TO BE. I FEEL EXTRA SAFE IN THIS TRUCK. I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGANT WHEN I GOT HIT BY A SIMI. THIS TRUCK IS SO SAFE THAT I DIDNT MOVE OUT OF MY SEAT, I WAS COMPLETELY SAFE, AND SO WAS MY GERMAN SHEPARD THAT WAS IN THE PASSANGER SIDE, THE SIDE THAT GOT HIT. I WILL CONTINUE TOO BY THESE TRUCKS UNTIL THEY STOP MAKING THEM. I AM A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. THANKS LINCOLN

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  This car is fun to drive - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Carolyn Norklun - January 19 - 1:13 pm

  This car is more fun to drive than an SUV is supposed to be. The acceleration can be head snapping. The vehicle is very stable and handles very well. Fit and finish are excellent. My husband particularly likes the navigation system. All and All a very nice vehicle.

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  Everything I thiught it would be - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By RA Jensen - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. After 5000 miles, not a single problem or defect of any kind.

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  best truck - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By blackwood02 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Love the car but too much wind noise Hence the low build quality score