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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  A nice ride - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By shawn - November 7 - 7:03 pm

  I got this car in 2006. Its good on the highway and OK in the city. If you like to take long trips then this is the car for you. Great pick up too. I did a few mods to my Navigator so my horsepower and take off speed are great!

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  Impressed - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By MKZ Driver - November 7 - 6:10 pm

  This is really a remarkable car - Ive not experienced anything quite like it. Quiet, almost supernaturally so on the highway, and the mpg is reasonable - around 26-27 so far. The MKZ is tight. Currently I have 500 miles on the MKZ, and its the best car Ive ever driven, hands down. Far beyond a CTS, in my opinion, in ride, quietness, and handling, let alone features. Whats more, this car seems to be built like the rock of Gibraltar, but time will tell.

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  I would purchase this car again - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By bartalian - November 6 - 4:50 am

  I purchased my MKS in Aug, I have 12,000+ miles on it. Needless to say I spend a lot of time driving and I have been very happy with this car. I test drove Cadillac CTS (great tech,too small) STS (2008 had very few tech options, and a floating ride). I had a 2005 Chrysler 300C and loved that car, but nothing had changed in 4 years. I choose the MKS for a number of reasons. Aggressive appearance; loads of tech (Direct Ipod/Iphone support, Bluetooth, GPS, etc) Cooled seats. I avg. 23 miles in mixed driving which I am very happy with. Buying a 1st year model is always going to have issues and I have one too. The drivers side door has problems unlocking. Waiting for part to arrive.

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  Really Great Automobile - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By dhoening - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Have had no problems since new. With 36,000 miles now, still a blast to drive, and my wife wont let me even think about replacing it anytime soon. Lincoln has a hit on their hands and should leave this one alone!

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  Getting better all the time! - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By rwd - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Still the best touring sedan on the market, and a steal compared to others in its class. Much better dynamics, 17" wheel, R&P steering, tigher all over, 240 hp feels like more because of the 280 ft lbs of torque. Room galore, This car is much better than people think,like a FWD...but we all know RWD is in! you can buy these cars brand new with $10,000 off the sticker at the year end sales...I got mine for $34,000 and traded my 2000 TC final cost was $14,000 at 3.8% $413.00/mo for 36 months...cant beat that. Nothing like a Town Car...nothing, quiet, faster, and comfort.

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  It Could be Better - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Dave - November 4 - 10:23 am

  Ive put 14,000 miles on my Aviator and it has run well except for a few problems. The steering shudders badly while making left turns at low speeds on level ground. Dealer says pretty much "theyll do that". Says its caused by power steering sucking air while turning on incline. Been to the shop twice and it improved the first time for a month, then came back. DVD player ate DVD within first 3 months. Parts had to be back ordered. They never have a Lincoln for you to use when your is in the shop. I did get 19.5 mpg on a 1300 mile trip averaging 75 MPH.

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  Good to Excellent - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By George Hollowell - November 2 - 4:10 am

  New 6peed automatic trans is a great feature. Engine power is excellent. I pull an RV it has plenty of torque. Economy is excellent for its size. Handling is superb.

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  fordwarrior - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Mike Smith - November 2 - 3:43 am

  I have been a satisfied Ford product owner for 50 years. I have owned a 2004 and a 2005 Navigator and have been very disappointed in their fuel economy and the quality of construction. The 2006 has had transmission problems from the day it was delivered and it took 17 months for the dealer to get the problem corrected. The brake rotors had to be turned at 7,000 miles, replaced at 10,000 miles, turned again at 27,000 mile and replaced at 30,000 miles. This is on a vehicles that has 95% highway mileage on it. The master brake cylinder had to be replaced at 32,000 miles. The 2006 model is much noisier than the 2005 in terms of wind noise and engine/road noise.

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  disappointed - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By JR - November 2 - 12:53 am

  I still like the look of this car and it is fun to drive when it works. Seem to have constant problems with it and nothing is ever inexpensive to fix. Just spent over three weeks going between a mechanic and Ford trying to figure out what was wrong (it would miss while idling). We think it is finally fixed after replacing all the boots and coils. I am not trusting that we wont have more problems soon. Our regular mechanic wont touch it. We tried to sell it and no one wants it even though the interior and exterior is in excellent condition. I thought I was getting a high end, high quality car. I have owned several Fords before. I am now questioning if I want to every buy another Ford.

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  Not up to date! - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Eduard Emil - October 27 - 7:05 pm

  I think I purchased the first one sold in wisconsin. Its a beautiful smooth car with two problems. Using the push button shifter, its very easy to mistakenly push the Reverse button instead of the Park button. That could cause a serious accident if you dont double check which button you pushed before taking your foot off the break. Second annoyance is that the GPS is out of date because it doesnt accept addresses that my 3 year old Tom Tom in my truck or my PCs Mapquest does. It also displays out of date speed limits i.e., I-43 in Wisconsin is 70 mph, the GPS says its the old 65 mpg changed two years ago. I noticed this on other roads too, completely not up to date. I am sure they figured on this for a future upgrade for $400 in a year or so as they did with my old 2010 MKS. I complained about this to the dealer and they basically told me "what you got you got," I called the Lincoln company and they sent me to a website where I could have spent the next two years of my limited life trying to figure it out. I think for $74,000 they should take care of it!