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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  Fast and Luxurious - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By MKZluver - May 23 - 9:56 pm

  Love the looks i receive and the compliments about it. most people say they didnt know it was even a lincoln! plenty of room. sound system is incredible and like ive never heard in a car. i always find excuses to go places with it. drives very comfortably when cruising but when pushed hard she moves very quick and sometimes scary! The new 3.5 liter is a huge improvement over the 3.0L. I like the new front fascia over last years zephyr. Lincoln didnt take any short cuts with any cheap materials here. everything is top quality and soft to the touch. dont base your decision by pictures or reviews go out there and test drive one yourself and you will be amazed. Choose over comp. like Lexus Es350

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  They STILL dont believe its a Lincoln! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Stan The Man - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Actually, Ive had my 2000 LS since 7/00 and have had no problems. A lot of great options for the money. Ive driven in all types of weather and this (rear wheel drive) car is very sure footed. Handles like no other car Ive ever driven! (Mercedes E320, Caddy Deville) Even now, they ask me what kind of car it is. Wouldnt want to own anything else!

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  Nothing but problems! - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By LaceyP - May 21 - 5:23 am

  I would NEVER buy another Navigator. I have had nothing but problems with mine. The air suspension went out and is NOT cheap to fix. Also Ive had transmission problems. Something in the transmission gets too hot and causes the seal to break and the transmission fluid to leak so transmission had to be rebuilt. The only positive thing about this vehicle is the room and seating but unfortunately I cant keep it running long enough to even enjoy that. If you have a ton of money to fix on ongoing repairs then this car is for you! These vehicles are bad for their suspension and transmission problems...I wish I would have known this before I wasted money buying mine.

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  Love my Town Car - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By djunkins - May 20 - 7:46 pm

  This is my second TC. My first was a 1997 model. Both produced a smooth, comfortable ride, especially on long trips. I also use the car for long (100 mi) work trips each week. Yes, style is dated but the car has so many positive features, like good gas mileage for a large car, cavernous trunk, easy to read dash display, automatic climate control, back-up sensor, heated seats, more. Small problems crop up now & then, but I expect that with so many luxury features available. Plus, the car is no spring chicken. Things break.

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  Phat Ride - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By JB - May 20 - 6:03 pm

  Im 23 and this is the my 3rd brand new truck Ive bought. . . chevy, dodge, now lincoln. I shoped around and this is the best truck for the price (39 mo. lease) and all around package. Looks sharp, rides smooth over bumps, perfect size, drives and handles like a car not a truck. Pleasurable driving experience.

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  A hidden jaguar - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By roman_capps - May 19 - 5:38 pm

  A great friend of mine has a 2002 Lincoln LS but the engine is the 4.0 jag engine which isnt compatible with the transmission which holds up surprisingly. The person before us was a complete idiot of putting a jag engine in it. But it is B-E-A utiful it rides like a calm sea current they interior is greatly put together some cracks in the seats and window controls blemishes it. I have never , never have found such beauty in a car much rather something built by ford. I automatically feel in love with it when I drove even though it was stuck in over drive 1. lovely just lovely, but always get a car fax report when making a used car purchase you may never know what you find !

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  Fun Drive, Fun Ride - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By robertkelly - May 18 - 3:00 am

  A super car. I owned a 1993 Continental and felt it was underpowered, with the V-8 the problem was solved. The car was purchased new and presently has 146,000 miles.It runs great. The only major problem is the electrical; always a door ajar and the interior lights stay on. Help! I have replaced a hub bearing, starter, alternator, brakes, and power steering pump.

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  LOVE IT!! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Susie Bowen - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I never cared about a vehicle before...as long as it could get me where I wanted to go but now I look for reasons to drive!! I LOVE it and havent driven in a nicer SUV than this. Highly recommend!! Luxury plus!

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  2007 Lincoln Navigator - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By david j janich - May 17 - 3:36 am

  outstanding refinement. very smooth and quiet. if they offered a higher powered option i would have ordered it. after trying a couple of the competitors, i went for the Lincoln and besides it is an American vehicle so the profits stay in our country.

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  Our First Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Beverly K. - May 14 - 10:00 am

  One feature that I think is great is that when I am backing up, if anything is behind me, (person, car, garbage can, etc.) an alarm goes off. The closer I get to it, the louder and more pronounced it gets. I will NEVER back into anyone or anything. It is a very smooth and quiet car. I am a very tall person and can sit in the back seat with no problems. The only complaint I have is regarding the sound system of the radio and CD player. For a car as nice as the 04 Lincoln, the radio should sound like a Bose radio. In closing, I am sure that we will never buy anything.