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! - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By kmart220 - December 5 - 2:19 pm

  Ok, I bought my 2012 MKX used with 18k miles. Ive had it 3 weeks now and I am so very happy! I traded a fully loaded Tahoe (which I dearly loved, but was getting up there in miles) and the transition has been a breeze. I rated the car mostly 5s. To me, everything is awesome and I only gave 4s because of 2 superficial reasons. For interior design, it seems perfect besides the radio volume control and the a/c level control. They are a bit funny to operate. Aesthetically, beautiful, but functionally, not perfect. You are supposed to glide your finger across the panel to find your perfect setting and it doesnt function very well. No big deal, really, since there are 2 other options

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  ls review - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By ljbrac - December 5 - 2:00 am

  i love my lincoln LS is is fun to drive and very confortable. the h eated seats are the best.

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  Great Car but........ - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By BANKS FAMILY - December 5 - 2:00 am

  First and foremost, this is a great baby lincoln. It was perfect for my adorable wife to drive to work in and I loved seeing her in it. That being said, the build quality was shabby. It is in the shop alot for buttons falling off or power windows or headlights. Really fun to drive when on the road.

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  Excellant All Around Vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Great Vehicle - December 5 - 12:23 am

  Go anywhere SUV, Go several times a year on out of state trips. The Aviator is the ultimate in comfort! Hit that seat warmer after a long day and ahhh! Our Aviator has 42K on it and has only needed the regular maint performed on it. I did replace the tires to one size up and that helped on the milage-AVG 19 mph allaround and up to 21 on the road. I also had the computer upgraded thru the dealer on a new program that has made it perform even better. No gripes here glad we have it as our all around veh and well worth the price!

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  Lincoln Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By maxgaskin - December 4 - 7:36 pm

  The car is quieter than we expected, it handles better than some much larger cars, we own two larger cars (jaguar VDP and lincoln Nav.) its just fun to drive.The size gives you a feeling of control and freedom, were just pleased with its performance.

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  Brake gear shift release - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By mrcatpr - December 4 - 3:43 am

  I have problem with brake gear shift release and is too expensive to correct this problem.

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  2017 MkC - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By MkC Driver - December 3 - 7:17 am

  My wifes car was due for replacement. Having owned 4 Audis and 5 Porsches over the last 40+ years, our first stops were to look at the Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan. Fine vehicles by any standard and no doubt, worth their price. But my closest P/A dealerships are 30+ miles away. And then there is the cost of routine maintenance. Even if it is only once or twice a year the bills do add up. Stopped by our local Lincoln dealer. Family-owned operation, not a mega-dealer.Drove a 2016 MkX and a 2017 MkC. Bought the C. AWD, 2.3 liter turbo 4, 19" wheels and a whole bunch of other stuff. More technology than I will ever need or want. Quiet, solid. No wind noise at 75mph. The 2.3 liter has more than enough low end grunt and can run all day at 80mph.Lincoln is certainly trying to up their game. Call for service and the dealer comes to your house or place of business, drops off a loaner and takes your vehicle in for service. Your vehicle gets, serviced, washed and returned to you. Not a bad deal. Is the MkC comparable to a Q5 or Macan? Not really. But I have an extremely competent smaller SUV that cost between $10k and $20k less than its German counterparts, not counting the service cost differential. My one complaint is that those 19" diameter 45 series tires are not the friendliest on the oxen trails that pass for roads in my state.

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  Bad scene - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Sy Be - December 2 - 2:03 pm

  Car came without a horn. Shortly after that, the brake system broke down and the fluid retainer leaked. Fit and finish for an expesive auto is less than acceptable. Was treated very badly by the dealer.

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  navigator that you can shower in :( - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Anthony Bergen - November 29 - 8:13 pm

  My vehicle has been in the shop more than I have driven it. The sun roof drainage system does not work properly and rain water pours out of the headliner ever time it rains very heavy. The dealership is unable to correct the problem and when they attempted to do so they damaged the interior of my vehicle with grease and lack of covering the seats. I have however test driven the aviator and that looks like the way to go. Fuel economy FOR GET IT!!!! not the right time to own a navi..Look elsewhere...

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  Lots of potential - 2010 Lincoln Navigator
  By MVotaw - November 29 - 7:23 am

  I really enjoy my Lincoln. From the front, its a great looking vehicle with lots of power. That said, the back end looks like a cracker box. Interior is very comfortable, but you cant read the dash in sunlight and there is little leg room in the back. The back glass opens by itself and lets rain / debris run into the cargo area. Ive had $5000 worth of warranty done on the truck and the service was fantastic. The interior is very cheap looking and scuffs easily in addition to being a bear to navigate all the buttons. Overall though a very nice vehicle.