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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  Good sports car not a family car - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Bring back the LS - December 4 - 5:06 pm

  I have had the vehicle for a few years now. I have had just a few problems with it. the valve cover gaskets leaked, the chrome on the inside of the rims had oxidated and potted out. I recently had to purchase new rims for the vehicle 8(. Over all the car has been a good car gets okay fuel mileage for a V8. Only thing i wish it had more of is storage room in the trunk and room in the car with 2 kids it can be a tight fit on long trips.

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  Great Head Turner - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By H. Ostwalt - December 2 - 2:36 pm

  After reading Edmunds review, the Acura TL, Lexus ES350 & Maxima, mentioned in review, all cost more and require premium gas. The MKZ does not, trunk is larger in MKZ too. It is great, change the oil, put gas in it and enjoy the ride. Fun to drive, quiet to ride in, good radio and blue tooth adapts to your cell phone. I am well pleased with car. Air condition seats are really fantastic in the South, in the summer! You just wouldnt believe it unless you try it!

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  DONT BUY THIS VEHICLE! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By petedeb1 - December 2 - 1:14 am

  We have 89,000 miles on this vehicle and have taken excellent care of it over the years only to find out it needs about $5,000 work of engine repairs. It is ten years old so we have decided to trade it in on a new vehicle. We certainly expected to get more miles out of this vehicle than 89,000! Come on people, this is a high-end expensive vehicle and we only got 89,000 miles out of it. What a useless piece of junk!

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  Run!!!!! - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By greeny480 - December 1 - 6:41 pm

  Bought this vehicle new in 2011 and within 1 1/2 years time I had to take in to have warranty covered items fix on 6 occasions. After 3 attempts to fix a faulty power steering problem with no success, I traded in and went back to Cadillacs.

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  The new look Towncar - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lee P. - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Im happy to see the old look of the Towncar return. New squared off hood and trunk lid improve the overall cosmetics of the car. Much more room in the trunk because the spare has been moved to the side. Lots of leg and head room inside and the comfortable, plush ride the Towncar has been known for.

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  opinions are just that! - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By nicole - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This is what a Lincoln should be! The interior is impressive. The combination of walnut wood, satin nickel and brass is a very sophisticated! The ride and handling is to die for. Its about time Lincoln has designed a car that states I am accomplished yet unpretentious. Although they did bring back the Lincoln hood ornament(I missed that).

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  Might be too good - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Sir Larry - November 25 - 1:56 am

  This one took all of five miles to get comfy in. The amenities are quite sufficient and, if I ever read the book, may be astounding. Quietly powerful with understated beauty--essentially invisible to speed traps and such. Respectable.

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  Great SUV: they should still make them - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Steve B - November 24 - 2:26 am

  The is an excellent riding & handling vehicle that Lincoln should still be manufacturing. I bought it new and have had a few mechanical problems I wouldnt have expected, like replacing the transmission after 100k miles! Overall, a great SUV.

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  Great car - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Liam - November 23 - 10:53 pm

  Its amazing

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  THE BEST AMERICAN SPORTS SEDAN - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By LOUIE CABALLERO - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE NEW 02 LS MODEL.I TRADED A 00 LS V8 FOR THE LSE V8. I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE BETTER RIDE QUALITY AND MUCH BETTER ENGINE PERFORMANCE.I AM ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF THE 03 V8 MODEL WITH ALL THE CAR ISSUES ADDRESSED. MUCH NICER INTERIOR AND INCREASED HP AND TORQUE. OVERALL AN EXCELLENT AMERICAN MADE CAR THAT DESERVES A TEST DRIVE IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A BENZ,AUDI, OR BMW. TRUST ME YOU WILL BE VERY IMPRESSED HOW MUCH 40,000 CAN GET YOU.