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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  what a great truck for your money - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By glenn f 3 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  its so nice

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  RV Towed ,DOA - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Texan - January 24 - 6:13 am

  My wife and I really like this SUV. It does the job, comfort, style and MPG. But when towed behind our Motorhome by the book, several times we have arrived at our destination with a dead battery in the MKX. The dealers say no problemo, there is nothing wrong with the suv. Just blank looks no solutions.We like the SUV but...

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  Perfect Sedan for 2 Years Now! - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By cascadecolibri - January 19 - 3:40 pm

  We bought this car used in 2011 while I was expecting our first child. I would not settle for a vehicle if safety was in question. The comfort and space were perfect for my back and belly! The driver side easy-exit seat was awesome! I felt safe riding home from the hospital with my new born daughter. In the time since we purchased it we have only had to do basic maintenance- oil changes, transmission fluid & air filter etc. Coming up on needing new tires. Apart from that I have had No Issues and it has been a blessing. Wish it handled better though. When my daughter is not with me Id like a more exciting drive, but it might be best that it doesnt handle like a sports car...

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  Great New Car from an American Company - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By RH in Bucks County - January 19 - 12:13 pm

  I just received the Lincoln and couldnt be more pleased. First off, I special ordered it and received it one day short of 4 weeks! I test drove the Lexus GX460 and the Acura MDX. This car has a better and quieter ride and significantly more room. It is features loaded and thousands of dollars less expensive than the Lexus. My only concern is the long term relability of the vehicle. So far, Im ectastic about buying it and HIGHLY recommend it to others.

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  Thoughts on my 2005 Lincoln - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By James J Derba - January 18 - 9:30 pm

  The car is reliable, gives a great ride and can accomadate 6 passengers. I have purchased a Lincoln two years since 1982, with two exceptions. The cars I have driven have been maintainence and trouble free. One major issue. The radio in the last two cars is terrible. I also have a Mecury Sable and the radio is that car is excellent. JJD

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  my 1st car - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By danjb94 - January 18 - 12:01 am

  this is my 1st car and as a 17 year old driving around a Town Car I have to say it is awesome. Mine has only 71k miles on it so its still a baby when it comes to these cars. Only problem Ive had is I had to replace the idle air control valve last week because it went bad and the car would stall out at idle, but $80 for a new one off rock auto and it was done! Couldnt ask for a cooler 1st car!!! Im still amazed that I get 30+ MPG on the highway for such a big car.

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  ENGINE TROUBLE ALREADY - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By WINTERS - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Aviator for nearly six months and have taken it to the shop four times. When I bought it there was black glue on the headliner, it was replaced but now I am stuck with fingerprints all over it. The rainguards were installed improperly, they replaced them now they are falling off again. Now the vehicle is in the shop because it overheated to the point that I couldnt drive it and I was stranded by the side of the highway. For the price that I paid for the vehicle none of these problems should have happened in the first six months of ownership. Very unhappy.

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  good compromise - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By yogidoc - January 17 - 10:00 am

  believe it or not i traded my 03 porsche cayenne s for fully loaded 03 aviator. cayenne suspension was abusive in city and seating position was terrible for my lower back....i was surprised w/ the power and handling of the aviator....not that far off from the porsche. In summary im gettting a kick driving an american suv You get alot of truck for the money. I also dont really worry about the black beast like i did w/ the porsche.However I do miss the stares, questions and tiptronic gearing.You cant have it all and at least im driving in comfort!!!!!!

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  Town Car / affordable luxury - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Fred Issa - January 17 - 8:06 am

  My 2006 Lincoln Town Car is the 6th Lincoln I have owned. I love Town Cars for rear wheel drive, affordability, looks, great as mileage at 28 MPG, [with the Nitro filed tires] doing 65 - 70 miles per hour. The ride is like sitting at home in your easy chair. I keep my Lincoln Town Cars 10 years or more, even after I buy new ones. One of my best friends bought a new 2008 top of the line Lexus, and he said my TC gives a better ride than his car, for which he paid a bundle. When we have visitors from out of the country, visiting the USA, and I am asked to take them to the airport, they think they are riding in a limo. Several have commented that they drive a Mercedes, or BMW, & prefer mine

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  Missing storage - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By medic - January 15 - 10:16 am

  Had this car for just a few weeks 09 leftover dealer driver car. Love the look and style but there is virtually no storage inside for anything. Small door pocket and mini center console that once you put in an iPod in to hook to USB it is full. Cup holders are useless with armrests extended, and with tapered coffee cups you can have only one and the other holder overlaps. I still love it though, shifts a bit hard between gears.