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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  super gas mileage - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ronald G. Jones - September 1 - 6:53 pm

  This 2001 Greenbrier edition Signature series which we purchased new has been a good, economical and reliable car. On a trip to Rome, Ga from Chambersburg, PA, (all interstate and driving 60 MPH) we averaged 32 MPG. Several years ago while driving in the flatland of North Dakota we averaged nearly 34 MPG for several hundred miles and driving at 60 MPG and on cruise control. People assume that because it is a big car that it is a gas guzzler. Nothing could be further from the truth.

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  Good value from a traditional American car company - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Jonathan Quick - August 23 - 6:48 am

  I purchased a 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Reserve w/ Technology package in September 2016. Purchase price was $8k - $20k below comparable European and Japanese alternatives I have thus far driven the car about 2200 miles, about 80% highway driving and 20% city driving. Average MPG is around 40 - 42 mpg. Acceleration is adequate in most situations. The smoothness of the powertrain, well-tuned suspension, and the quiet cabin at highway cruising speeds really attracted me to this vehicle. Exterior appearance is impressive and fairly unique, but some of the exterior trim pieces are made of low quality plastic. Quality of interior materials is very good - particularly the wood trim and leather upholstery. ADAS features including adaptive cruise, accident avoidance, blindspot monitoring, backup-assist and lane-keep assist are very useful in day-to-day driving. Lincolns driver assistance features are unobtrusive until really needed. The on-board infotainment system is light years ahead of Toyota and BMW in terms of usability, but the Sync 3 system has bugs around IPod indexing, accuracy of on-board clock, Android Auto compatibility, and stability of mobile apps. One bright spot in Sync 3 is Lincolns NAV system coupled with Sirius traffic information, which is a real godsend for avoiding heavy traffic at rush hour. Unfortunately, the stability issues Ive encountered in Sync 3 appear to extend to other vehicle subsystems. I presently suspect electrical gremlins are lurking in the interior lighting system and the sound system, although all installed equipment is performing normally for the moment. As long as reliability holds up, backed in part by Lincolns long base warranty, I expect I will remain satisfied with this vehicle. I would recommend this vehicle to a friend or a family member, with reservations noted above regarding reliability.

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  My Outstanding 2000 Lincoln Continental - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By AlHa - August 21 - 6:30 am

  Purchased at at 56,000 miles and now at 77,000. Excellent ride quality (NY potholes become laughable), ride comfort (drove 250mi. to NY and back to PA numerous times without stopping), no service issues whatsoever, vast array of interior features (except cupholders, I have spilled a few drinks in a turn or quick stop), solid frame (no weird noises and doors close solidly), great Alpine system. I love the straight line acceleration from a stop and on highways but forget about any white knuckle excursions around back roads. Over-the-top interior and trunk space (Ive seated 4 fully grown adults in the back seat). 2 negatives: fuel consumption and fun factor

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  More than satisfied - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By johnnyshea3 - August 18 - 8:21 am

  I have almost nothing but good things to say about this car. Base model comes very well equipped with virtually everything you would hope to have in a entry level premium sedan. As a technology junkie, the Microsoft-powered Sync interface (standard), is absolutely top shelf. The ride is quiet and supple, with the V6 supplying plenty of power as well as fuel economy. Handling is a tad underwhelming, but that is really my only beef. The cabin is well laid out, and both fit and finish and interior materials are very good. I find the seats to be very comfortable, and rear legroom is satisfactory. Even without A or Z plan, my sign and drive lease payment was under $400 a month. Recommended!

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  Good car for the money - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lincoln - August 13 - 4:26 am

  After reading all the other testimonials about the town car, it amazes me the amount of people that compare the town car to the Lexus LS430. Of course the Lexus is a wonderful car, its $30,000 more! It better be. The town car is wonderful for the money. The quality is more than adequate, nothing compares in the way of interior room and comfort. And no, its not a rocket off the line, but its not supposed to be. Quite honestly, I dont believe the suspension could handle it, but then again, you wouldnt have the ride. You want handling, buy a corvette, stupid.

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  Doing ok so far - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By tennisdoc - August 7 - 2:10 pm

  Had my Navigator 1.5 years now. Was an impulse purchase for my now ex wife. Usually do research but wife loved her friends. Was real scared after purchase when I read the horror reviews. So far, few problems. Seats, what were they thinking? Like parchment, but still holding up. Ive had none of the electrical problems that have plagued reviews. Biggest complaint, dealership serves Lincoln, and Mercury. Service area is like the waiting room for a middle school. Infiniti and Lexus have comfortable waiting areas, and give loaners in a snap. After spending this type of money, service experience is like a Ford.

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  Nice car for the money - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By ED - August 5 - 1:33 am

  4 years of ownership and had very little issues with the car. 2 coil on plugs went bad $125 a pop. Front suspension overhaul( tie rods, sway bars) car had a clunk over bumps and never was fixed after 4 trips. I think its a design flaw as many other owners suffer this annoying noise. Alternator and battery at 110k other than that and a few other things the car is solid, especially now you can get one dirt cheap infact cheaper that a similar year Accord or sometimes Civic. Solid motor, guy I sold it to at 110k now has 180k on it without much work. makes me regret selling it. tranny can be iffy on some of these car so make sure if shifts good. Hold off for a 99 model many improvement

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  just bougt and love it - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By j farley - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought lease return with 27000 miles. Have driven two trips of 1000 and 1800 and a little around town. Hyw mileage is spectacular for size of car (24 to 27 miles to gallon) Car is extremely quiet, perhaps not quite the ride of 1977, 84, 92 and 95 I had before, but better than anything else I,ve been in lately. I,ve yet to own a bad town car and bought everyone of them used.

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  No parts available when it breaks - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By kzad - July 24 - 4:36 am

  We were happy with our Zephyr, so when the time came we traded for the MKZ. We were happy with it until 3,000 miles (yes, thats three thousand), when the traction control light came on. Dealer changed a sensor, after which the car wouldnt go over 30 mph. We were told they had a bad batch of these sensors, they are on nationwide back order. That was two weeks ago. We have no idea when we will see the car again.

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  Nice ride but small - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Remals - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice features abound in this car, however the inside space is compromised a bit. The seats are luxurious as long as you are not very large in the derrier. Car performance is excellent - the AWD gets over any snowy or icy conditions. Not much space for hauling cargo even with the 3 row seat folded down. More of a luxury ride than a utility vehicle.