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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  Great Ride - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By CXO - January 14 - 5:10 pm

  Great ride, great styling! But, prepare for a VERY expensive car to maintain with NO room in the trunk or glove compartment.

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  Great car, but..... - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Leon Frank - January 14 - 11:24 am

  Theres much to love about this car. The drive train is near flawless and does what you want it to do. It accelerates, holds 80 if you set the speed control for that, and glides at any speed relatively quietly and very smoothly. The Synch system was clearly designed by people who knew theyd never have to drive the car and put up with it. In every case, it defaults to the worst possible option. Most screens are so user hostile, even with the Owners Manual in front of you, you wont easily set whatever you want to do. There are endless buttons and screen prompts to push. I still cant figure out what happens when you push the phone button on the steering wheel, but its near useless. Ditto the navigation system. I use a stick to the windshield GPS, but to the amazement of every passenger. The real issue is the climate control system. It performed flawlessly all winter, then when summer arrived, I discovered that whoever designed the vents is 52" tall and really does not like people. The vents are stopped at mid level, they cannot be raised to your face or over you. The same with right left adjustment, very limited travel. The real amazement is there is no way to throttle down airflow. Ford should have looked at any other car on the planet to learn how to make vents. This may sound insignificant, but on a really hot day, youll be fighting with them non stop to get air where you want it, and failing every time. Each of my Toyotas, Prius and Solara before that, had outstanding climate control. Car was comfortable in all weather conditions. That a Lincoln is so uncomfortable in hot weather is a true amazement. Test drive the car on a 95 degree day before you write out a check for one.

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  Not my Mark VIII - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By rriproarin - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Lincoln has been good to me. My first one was a 93 Mark VIII. I had the car for 6 years and it was a fun and unique car. Unfortunately it got wrecked. Such is life. I have a family now with 2 kids so I needed a sedan anyway. The Continental is a fun drive for a sedan. Its interior ameneties are good and it is a comfortable ride for both short and long trips. The exterior lacks the pizzaz of the Mark but it is still a pretty car. Ive put 18,000 miles on it in 6 months without a single service issue.

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  Lincoln 97 Signature Series Town Car - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By ryanjames - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Town Car mean ultimate reliabitliy and luxury combined in one grand package. Who says that every consumer has to sell out to the twenty-something appeal that every carmaker is going after. In my opinion, my Town Car represents the last of Americas Hallmark of Luxury automobiles.

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  2007 lincoln mark lt - 2007 Lincoln Mark LT
  By j hibbs - January 10 - 1:10 pm

  very few on the road, so you stand out in this truck. i like the exterior styling along with the performance it offers. interior is comfortable. it is basically a fancy ford, and you get everything that entails owning a ford, good and bad(good looks and performance along with spotty build quality and questionable reliability). fuel mileage is poor(11 mpg in the city, up to 19 mpg on the highway at 70 mph), but it is a truck and can be used as a truck(4wd with 8600 lb. towing capacity). even with the negatives of this truck, i really enjoy driving it and would buy it again

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  Love it - 2009 Lincoln Town Car
  By DP - January 9 - 4:40 am

  This is the most comfortable care on the road in my opinion. My millage in excellent on the road up to 25 and 26 which is outstanding for a car of its size. No foreign car can even remotely compare to this car in ride and drive in my opinion. And as for the look and style that is all a matter of opinion. Personally I think it blows every thing else on the road away and makes them look like a cheap imitation of what is suppose to be a luxury car. A great vehicle!

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  New Lincoln MKZ makes me want to drive - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Alice - January 8 - 3:53 am

  I just love my new MKZ. I was all set to buy a Honda Accord V6, but with my friends telling my to buy American I thought Id test drive the MKZ and ended up walking out with one. Everything is super. I am so excited about this car. I love the features like beautiful interior, SYNC with hands free bluetooth phone, satalite radio, and heated and cooled seats. The car is so comfortable. It handles great and fuel economy seems good so far. The best thing is that it was and incredible value. It was by far better than the Honda and Im loving it. The dealer was super. Only problem is that I just want to drive. It is just fun.

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  Great so far - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By jon ollie - January 6 - 4:36 am

  I just got my MKX. I love it so far. It rides smooth, good power. Sometimes it surprises me with the acceleration. I traded in my Mountaineer and I dont feel I gave up any room or space. Im getting a lot of looks on the street! The base model has everything you need. I sprung for the vista roof. If you want the nav system or the THX sound system about $5000 more.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By zwfb - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is well equiped, very responsive, fun to drive, and comfortable.

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  Best SUV I Have Driven - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By A. Olderich - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Having leased two Mountaineers, in the recent past, the Aviator is a huge step up in terms of luxury, performance, ride, and overall enjoyment. Recently dropped into my dealership for an oil change on my Mercury Monterey, saw a white, loaded, Aviator on the showroom floor . . . turned in my Lincoln LS (leased) a couple of months early and drove away in the Aviator. No regrets, really love the vehicle.