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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  Excellent Vehicle - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By LawRev - December 22 - 10:00 am

  The Lincoln LS is an excellent alternative to the foreign sport sedan models. The car has an excellent value quotient, both new and used. The vehicle I own has been quite reliable and the dealer takes care of it as needed.

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  Pleasantly Pleased - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By gardnercha - December 22 - 4:03 am

  Have had this car for 3800 miles and waited to write this review until I had some experience and a long trip before doing so. At first I was not happy with navigation maps not being up to date, but since have used it and love it. The ride is OK compared to my 2004 DHS Caddy that it replaced. The seats are more comfortable and fit my body so well I was less tired on long trips. I just drove it 2000 miles and got nearly 27 MPG overall. Very pleased with all the technology and would recommend this car to anyone in this price range.

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  best suv in the world - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By e welch - December 17 - 3:40 am

  I drove them all, the Navigator for the money was the best. The dealer was also a big reason....one price easy atmosphere and a great owner. Lincoln really did a great job with this vehicle very smooth ride and very quiet. love my navigator! e

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  Claytons Nav - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Clayton Mullen - December 15 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Navigator is the best vehicle we have ever purchased it is big and very sexy looking.

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  Great car - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By hank - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought a black on black MKZ and have 2800 miles and have not had the car back to garage for anything. When I was looking to buy compared the MKZ to Nissan Maxima but to get memory seats you had to spend in excess of 2K extra for maxima. This put the price of the two cars within hundreds of dollars. Opted for the MKZ and decided to give Ford (1st time ford buyer) a chance. No regrets yet. MKZ is very good value for mid size luxury car.

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  Great car for my dad - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Sven - December 12 - 3:53 pm

  My 80 year old dad had a minor accident that totaled his Buick. Put him in a used Town Car with only 31,000 miles for $15000. He and mom love this car. It is easy to drive and very comfortable. Dad has been impressed with the gas mileage and says that this is the best car he has ever owned. The people at their church think that he must have won the lottery. His last car cost more and was not nearly as plush. It runs very smooth and has plenty of power. I also enjoy driving the car, putting 6000 miles on it on a cross country drive with 4 people and luggage and still got 24 MPG. It is much more fun to drive than my brothers Lexus and much easier to get in and out of, very nice ride.

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  The best SUV - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By NS - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I just traded in the 2002 Cadillac Escalade for the finest SUV on the road. The Navigator! The Navigator provides exactly what it should for a vehicle in this price range, the Escalade did not. This SUV has a car like ride with a higher vantage point. The seats are extremely comfortable, the interior, well thought out, the amenities appropriate (cordless headphones with the rear seat DVD player). The Escalade had a VERY powerful engine, but rode like a very expensive truck, and the build quality was horrible. Lincoln has a winner here, give the engine a bit more power and you have a perfect 10!

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  From an Escort to a Lincoln - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By G. Gill - December 6 - 7:46 am

  I drove a Ford Escort for 13yrs. to an from work, 60 miles a day. Loved the fuel economy, but not the ride or getting around in the snow. After 350,000 miles I found a 1996 Lincoln TC, with 102,000 miles on it for $4,000.00. WOW!...now I love driving to work! What a ride, with 21mpg! Built like a tank! Some mechanical issues...intake manifold[ Ford service bulletin]...lower contol arm/ball joint assembly broke in the middle of a J.C.Penney pkng. lot..that was fun! Wife has 1998 Lincoln TC, first year of the new body style and it aint built no where near as good as my 1996.Smaller interior, very high maintenance and ugly! Find an 1990s Lincoln in good shape you wont be sorry!

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  Ill never buy anything else - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By John - December 6 - 5:04 am

  I love my 08 MKZ. Heated seats are amazing. Sometimes they get a little to hot. I know what Ill be getting when its time for a new one.

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  Engineering Reserch ( AFESC ) Services - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Raduazo A W. - December 3 - 2:00 am

  COMFORT! SIZE! QUIET! Can pull a 2500lbs Bass boat!!