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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  This is the ultimate driving machine - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Scott - March 5 - 1:50 pm

  You may have higher engine noise slightly but you expect that when all its competitors have v6 and youre driving a 300 horsepower v8 thats what you get with power. It is a true shame that this SUV is coming of the market it is a one of a kind SUV

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  Rims - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By steve - February 28 - 9:53 am

  the mkz is a great car overall but we had to have three rims replaced do too hitting minor pot holes that other cars went over I believe these rim are defective and are not the quality that you would expect on a lincoln so far the answer I get from Fords is it is a insurance claim or cash out of my pocket too the tune of $600.00 dollars all rims were in a four month period with two of them less thsn two weeks apart and happened on major roads even fords admits its very unusual for three rims in a short period to go bad.

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  Who dont love my Aviator - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By justoma - February 27 - 12:26 pm

  I love love love my Aviator! Its the 2005, when I bought it in 2005 I knew the gas mileage was crap, but found the truck solid and full of power. I had the Grand Cherokee which was great too but the Aviator smoked it as far as performance. I have 75,000 miles on it. I do my oil changes every 3-4000 miles. I put tires on it in 2009 and I just put them on again..I never had them rotated and I failed on checking the pressure so they didnt get the wear they should of. I just got new ball joints as they were shot. That is all Ive had to put it in it. Its never been to the shop for anything but oil changes and the ball joint issue. Rear door panal cracked too.

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  Great Car as long as you dont wreck - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Stacy M - February 26 - 1:06 pm

  I loved driving the Lincoln LS-Great Car!But accidently ran off road dodging deer, car slide down incline & hit covert. When car flipped 3 to 4 times completely totalling out car the only airbag that deployed was passengers side front. Car nose dived on drivers side flipping & hit every point on car but the steering wheel nor side airbags ever deployed. Lucky to be alive! If you own a Lincoln LS have airbags checked-end this accident I was informed all airbags shouldve deployed that wouldve help prevent alot of pain & stay in hospital.

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  Not worth the operating cost - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Homer Gaines - February 23 - 6:03 am

  The gasoline milage of this vehicle is far below what was stated on the sticker. Lincoln says its my driving habits, but whether I use a feather on the accelerator or not, it still gets 8 MPG in normal driving, and the best I have gotten on the highway is 14MPG. And thats with a mighty tailwind!

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  Great Highway Cruiser - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
  By Rod103 - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought off a 2 year company lease at 1/2 price. Only 3 minor mechanical failures in 8 years. Dealer repair very expensive so did myself except for trunk auto latch at $192! Stay out of Lincoln dealers. Can drive at 72 mph on Interstate all day without any fatique. But wind noise increases above 72 mph due to old box body design. HWY mileage 25 mpg at 72 mpg. In-town drops to 17 mpg. Just started using 1 qt of oil by 3000 mile change.

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  Never had a problem... - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By K. H. - February 21 - 10:00 am

  Just parted with our navigator - time to move on to something new - but we miss it already! Never had a mechanical problem with the car. The only problem we had was with the drivers seat breaking down in the left rear corner (closest to the door), and had to have it replaced.. tho the cusion seemed to break down again (caves in/slants). We were the 2nd owners - and would buy another one in a heartbeat - but not a new one.. preowned ONLY (theyre too expensive). :)

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  Lincoln owner - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By David Lloyd - February 21 - 10:00 am

  great car it is fun to drive and very responsive - I was supprised how well it handles on curves - really tracks - kept up with a bmw on a very winding road with out a problem.

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  Great Car - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By d mcphail - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Best car I have ever had, and I have had quite a few. We drive to Florida every year with it, on Rt. 95 it is a comfortable machine. It has plenty of zip and is easy to handle in traffic. All repairs to it have been minor. Sure, I wish the gas milage was better, but when everything is considered, it is a small price to pay. Recently, I drove a Camry (of which, I have owned three) about 200 miles. A few days later I drove my Lincoln over the same route. There was absolutely no comparison between the comfort and handling of the two cars. I wish Lincoln had continued this classic look, but realize that is not possible.

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  Too bad 2 - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By toobad2 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Nice vehicle, but multiple small problems which have taken several visits per problem to resolve. In cold climate, the climate control system is horrendous. When heating, blows cold air on side windows and windshield and very warm air at feet. Makes for very uncomfortable passenger compartment, and also difficult to keep windows defrosted. This results in safety concern. Lincoln says this is "normal" and "within spec". Customer service after the sale is horrible, and dont expect anything when you call the Customer Service Center. Too bad for such an expensive vehicle.