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 the MKX - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By floridasand - March 17 - 10:40 pm

  We enjoy driving our MKX and plan to take it on a trip soon. Handles well. We had pin stripes put on and added color-coded side bumper guards. Weathertech cargo mat fits perfectly.

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  Love / hate relationship - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Ronster7 - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 2001 LS V8 Sport with almost all of the options. I have had non-stop problems with this car. Anywhere from non-start conditions (still happening after many repair attempts), leaking oil, suspension problems, fuel filter problems, many computer updates, radio replacements, etc. Poor quality after 27k miles my suspension is fading way too much. I take care of this vehicle and it simply is poor quality. Lincoln customer service is terrible for the class of this vehicle.

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  Really great crossover if you have the bucks - 2013 Lincoln MKT
  By Robinson F. Asitimbay - March 16 - 8:29 pm

  The car itself is a great machine. Very fast acceleration and its comfortable. Its pretty good in gas, and pretty fast. Rides 7 of us and has done a lot of traveling. Although the car is great and looks amazing in and out, the maintaince is horrible. The pieces are off this land, and everything is soooo expensive. I think a highlander wouldve been cheaper and maybe just as nice.

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  Great ride - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Lincoln convert - March 16 - 1:25 am

  My Lincoln dealer got his first 2017 with the drivers package option. Not cheap at $3300 but oh so worth it. With the 400hp engine and AWD this thing is an Audi/BMW clone for tens of thousands less. Spent over an hour test driving it. Came back to the dealership and ordered my own. Left out the luxury package ($4400) and some other stuff. MSRP came in at just under $50K. Not an Audi or a BMW but certainly close enough especially when factoring in the MSRP differential. Service costs will be dramatically less than with the Germans cars (I had 4 Audis over the course of 30 years). For 2017 Lincoln is offering to pick up your car at your home or place of business for service and return it to you. A nice touch. Nothing I will take advantage of as my local dealer is less than 4 miles from my house. My local Audi dealer was 30 miles away. The car is fast, quiet, comfortable, well put together, no wind noise, etc. Seems to be a great alternative to its German and Japanese counterparts.

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  Stealth Luxury - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By StkJck - March 16 - 12:53 am

  I recently was in the market for a replacement car since my 06 300 SRT* lease was up. Searched for used 2006 750LI and Audi A8 and decided on MKS. Price out the door was almost the same. I think it was only prudent to get something more practical but still wanted the toys and boy does this have the toys. My MKS is loaded plus has the optional wood trim package ($400). It is well worth it. It just highlights the luxurious interior.

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  I Love My Town Car - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By E. Perez - March 14 - 5:16 pm

  I purchased my Town Car for several reasons, safety, the Michelin tires, comfort, and size. One month later, I was in a major accident. The back end of my car was majorly damaged, but I was uninjured. I feel extremely safe in it. The ride is so smooth and the car is so roomy and comfortable and I love the huge trunk. I only have 4500 miles on it so far, but I dont think I will ever purchase anything other than another Town Car.

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  First Lincoln! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By vkmaxima - March 9 - 2:22 pm

  Couldnt afford my 2005 Nissan Maxima anymore (stay away from that car). I needed something inexpensive, and so I found this 2002 Lincoln LS V8 with 167k on it for $4500. The ride is very smooth and comfortable. It has plenty of get up and go. Ive never driven a V8 before, and boy do I love it!!! Even though its 10 years old, plenty of people compliment how good it looks. A few things dont work like my heater, rear defroster, and horn(clock-spring). I think an engine mount is broken,because theres a slight bump into reverse. Other than that she runs/shifts smoothly. It does require premium fuel,and I get about 14-18 city, and 23-27 hwy. Its a pretty rare car,which makes me like it more.

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  Its a Car - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By Cjv - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy this car. I have driving many types of vehicles all over the United States and this is one of the nicest road cars there is. I only have one gripe about this wonderful car. Once you have put a number of miles on any car or truck you must be able to grease the front end and on this ford product you cant.That can be dangerous if you travel a lot. The only thing else is no power trunk like the caddies. Not the power of a northstar motor and a little road noise. But What a ride. The air ride system and 30 miles a gallon on the freeway in a FULL size American classic! You will not be dissapointed .

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  Review - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Al Mal - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I think that this car is just wonderful.

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  Lincoln Navigator is a Lemon - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By eallen - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The Lincoln Navigator is a lemon. since shelling out $53,000 for this vehicle, I have had nothing but one problem after another. From the cheap plastic exterior pieces falling off, the gimmicky automated functions screwing up, to being stranded with my children due to not only power steering leakage and transmission problems, but also engine trouble. This vehicle is a Ford Expedition that was retro-fitted with gimmicky features the computer programmers completely miscalculated. It uses cheap import parts. If you buy this vehicle after reading this, you deserve the lemon that you will get.