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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  Comfort Over Performance - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By BillyBobJoe - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable and easy to drive. Exceptional interior and trunk room. Exceptional gas mileage for large car with V8. Handles well for large car. Well built with no rattles. Engine runs well, but have had starting problems on occassion that cant be explained.

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  Awesome - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By gynrat - July 5 - 1:16 pm

  So far this vehicle is everything and more in some ways than i hoped for. The ride and comfort of it is amazing. the only negative i have this far would be fuel milage, but when you buy an SUV you can only expect so so milage anyway. i also must say i get as many looks and compliments on my lincoln as any car i have driven, and i have driven many.

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  Impressed - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By ts - July 4 - 4:43 pm

  This car has been fun to drive. Good gas mileage 26 hwy, 19 city. nterior is very nice, smooth ride, and plenty of power. The radio is awesome and easy to use. The folding seats and rear trunk release are very easy to use. The adaptive head lights work really well. Dual AC works well

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  Great Car! - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By shawn - July 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for only seven months. So far I have had very good luck with this car. So far I needed only normal wear and tear items replaced. A good riding car. I cant complain.

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  The one to buy. - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By keith foster - July 2 - 2:13 pm

  My second. Put well over 100K miles on my 99 Nav. It would be nice to have a few more ponies and mileage, but that could be said of most all vehicles. Interior is on mine is black, exterior is silver. Best looking and best finished of any SUV as far as I am concerned. Handling in wet and around sweeping turns above 70mph is very good even though mine is 2wd. Braking is excellent, but with stock pads dust is horrible. You wont be disappointed with the luxury. Service at local dealer is biggest complaint. One small problem becomes many problems after they get done. Selling dealer did a great job, but to far to take it to them for service. I would buy it.

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  aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By 9394n - June 30 - 2:00 am

  a great car, its a loaded Kitty Hawk edition. mileage at 75 mph on a trip is about 21 mpg. Love the GPS moving map. we will get a new 2006 when it comws out. the engine is quiet and real snappy.

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  Worth the Wait - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Rayw - June 29 - 2:00 pm

  I have waited for a couple of years to finally get a navigator (divorce). It was worth the wait. The ride is amazing, the sound quality of the THX Certified stereo is great. The conveiences abound. I research many vehicles and tried out a number. None came close to the Navigators looks, room or ride.

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  Should Have Known no to buy another Ford - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By gjnockie - June 28 - 7:20 pm

  Should have known not to buy another Ford product. Every one I have had has been trouble. Its amazing that they still have any customers. So far in 7.000 mi. the front seats are falling apart, the windshield looks like it was installed by a 2 year old, the paint quality, interior fit and finish are a joke and the dealer just ordered a whole new rear end because it whines! Someone needs to explain to Ford that when a customer spends 50K plus for a Lincoln it needs to be built better than a Explorer! Why dont these guys get it? My advice is to buy Japanese... its a shame but they just do a much, much better job! I am going to sell this piece of junk soon and go back to Toyota.

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  Luxury SUV - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Dre G - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I truly enjoy driving my Navigator. It is more classic than the ghetto looking Escalade. The controls are easily accessible. The ride is very smooth, handles well for a vehicle that size.

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  Exclnt. Quality for the money - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By dar357 - June 24 - 2:26 am

  Large car with very comfortable ride & quiet at hiway-speeds. Drive normal & I can get 28 MPG Hwy. & 18 City.