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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  Love this SUV! - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By hamom - May 31 - 1:23 pm

  I have had my MKX for almost a week. I was coming off a lease on a Ford Freestyle. I was looking to upgrade a bit and test drove so many SUVs...Lexus RX350, Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX (more wagon like), Audi Q7, Mercedes R (again..more wagon like) and didnt really consider the MKX because I wasnt thrilled with my Ford. I test drove the MKX and fell in love. The ride is fantastic, price was great. Love Sync. So far extremely happy with my decision.

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  aviator bad experience - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By enrique gioni - May 31 - 10:00 am

  i have a problem with the differential.It is whinning starting at 45 miles and hour and increasing up to 75.They change the part at 3600 miles and now(6300 miles)i experience the same problem.Dealer says there is not a solution and that Ford is working on it but dont know how long will take.Too bad.

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  Luv my Nav!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By 3houndz - May 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the most luxurious SUV ever! It has exceeded all my expectations. I was one of the first to own the Ultimate in my area, Ive had it now almost a year. I still enjoy the looks it brings. Never had one problem with it. Everyone should be so lucky!

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  Poor seat design - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By tinsoldier - May 31 - 3:56 am

  Front seats are very uncomfortable. Lincoln should have copied the seat design from its big brother the Navigator. Rear cargo area is not flat when the third seat is layed down. Poor fuel economy.

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  MKS rocks but Quality is Not Job 1 - 2010 Lincoln MKS
  By MKS Fan - May 29 - 10:00 am

  This is a vehicle every consumer in the luxury class market ought to experience! My MKS is a pleasure to drive. My two complaints have been with one electrical issue after another - on both my new MKS and my folks as well - and the "superior" leather that wears through extremely quickly :( FOMOCO has so much to offer. Yet, if it wants to OWN the industry again, it needs to look to Hondas QC. Quality is way subpar for the price demanded by the manufacturer.

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  Sports Sedan - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Jiggs - May 28 - 7:10 pm

  What a great sedan! Its good looking, well built, handles like a BMW and is surprisingly affordable. Why Lincoln didnt just continue to improve and fine tune it instead of stopping production in 2006 is beyond me.

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  No more Nissans - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By ken - May 27 - 3:20 am

  This is our first "American made" car since the mid 1980s and we are extremely pleased. We looked at the Lexus ES series and found the Zephyr just about equal in quality but much more affordable. The THX sound system is awesome, the heated and cooled, memory controlled seats are a nice touch, the instruments easy to read,the ride very comfortable, the pickup more than satisfactory and it roomy and fun to drive. We also have the moon roof that operatates with one touch and is surprisingly quiet when open. Our Zephyr also has the 17" chrome wheels and they sparkle. My wife uses the car daily and has been asked several times about the vehicle. Its a real head turner.

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  Buy One - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Sam2eggs - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had 2 explorer over the last 8 years. My last one was an Eddie Bauer. Then I saw the Aviator. Ford cant even come close. Best ride,gorgeous inside and out. Easy in and out. I will only drive Lincoln from now on. I drive 30,000 miles a year in Northern New England, and Aviator can handle anything I throw at it! Comfort all the way, handles like a dream!

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  styling big time - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By ron b 1 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I love the inside and the detail of the seats and the dashbroad the way it lights up at all times. Great color of the dove gray.

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  Appears to be a good segment choice - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By DGeorgia - May 24 - 7:23 am

  So far so good after a couple of days. Was considering Mercedes C300, Nissan Maxima, BMW. The MKZ is by far the most bang for the buck. Standard features top all others, uses 87 octane, and inexpensive to maintain with good warranty coverage. Only quirks so far are the reflection of light dashboard onto windshield in direct sunlight and the dash clock makes a funky little sound as it operates ( why? ) Solid road feel, quiet, comfortable, sharp looking.