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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  1999 Navigator - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By debruyne - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with every aspect and performance of this vehicle except for the mileage. It has met my very high expectations.

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  BMW KLR - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Sn8kbordin - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I wanted an elegant, luxurious, fun to drive sports sedan. This car fulfills all my needs: rear wheel drive, near 50- 50 weight distribution, V8, enough interior space, big trunk, and it is American made. It is very comfortable (even with the sport package). Has great handling. It is powerful and I get 17MPG in city driving.

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  What an awesome suv! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By IMQUIK - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Fell in love from the start. Drove the Denali,Tahoe,not even close.Drives like a dream.Smooth ride.We went with the Ultimate Pkg.

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  Second and Last Lincoln - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By sherrybgray@gmail.com - September 17 - 9:46 am

  After 20 years of driving a Buick, in 2012 my husband and I bought a 2012 used MKZ with 18,000 miles. We purposely looked at Ford and Lincoln because they did not take the bail out money; and because my old Buick was the best riding car I ever owned. Two weeks ago we traded that car in on a 2014 MKZ with 22,000 miles on it. There are a lot of things I like about the 2014 over the 2012... Its much sportier looking, accessing the climate, phone, and media is much easier. Gas mileage is about the same on both cars. But thats all the good stuff I have to say. It rides like a wagon. Honestly I cant believe it has the Lincoln name on it. When I test drove the car it had General tires on it. The dealership offered to put new Michelins on the car, but only after I made the purchase. While I didnt love the look of my 2012 Lincoln, but I sure liked how it rode. In the settings I have changed the setting from sport to comfort and I dont think it made any difference. One problem is probably the low profile tires, but I am not a fan. Two weeks in, and we are thinking about trading it. But never will I purchase another Lincoln.

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  "Learning" to love my Lincoln... - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By texanson - September 14 - 8:21 am

  Traded my ML350 Benz for this little jewel in April. Drove it off showroom floor. Loaded. All options. Its my second car. The first few months, I did not like this car. I wouldnt drive it. I couldnt figure out how anything worked and was constantly having to actually pull over, and get out the owners manuals and learn how to turn on this or that option. It was very frustrating. However, in time, and after 6000 miles, I have, indeed fallen in love with this car. I find myself chosing to drive it more and more. IT has a learning curve for sure, but with some patience and teaching the old dog new tricks, its a great, fun car, that turns heads, and a real treat to drive,you will learn to love.

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  05 Aviator - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By jack - September 13 - 2:26 pm

  This truck has exceptional power and torque for an SUV. Its very comfortable, with ride, steering and handling that is much improved over the Explorer. It steering feel is light, and not truck-like, but more like the Jaguar X-Type we previously owned. The vehicle has a strong down-the-road presense, especially from front 3/4 views.

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  A Wonderful Ownership Experiance - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By SLR - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the car with 20,000 miles on it. I drive every day and I am not easy on a car. My 98 Town Car Signature has been truly a wonderful car and most of all I have had not one major problem with the car and any visit to the Lincoln service department has only given me great treatment.The car is always reliable and built tough, I am approaching 110,000 miles on it and I have got the urge to get something new, however this car has been so good to me I dont want to trade it for something with problems. I would recomend this car for anyone who desires a luxury ride and reliability.

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  Wow, sure glad I test drove this baby - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Doowop - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Was considering Lexus, or Infiniti, until I drove this. I was pleanantly surprised. More room than the others, yet handles like a sport sedan. Lots luxury and power and a real cruiser. Though premium fuel is recommended, it runs great on regular(87). Averaging just under 17 mpg all around, so Im pleased considering how much power it has and how much fun it is to drive. I couldnt be happier.

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  Lincoln makes the F-150 shine - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By ken - September 7 - 2:50 pm

  I am leasing a Lincoln Mark-LT and have had it for 6 months. I am very impressed with the ride compared to the F-150 and the Lincoln look and feel are great. A lot of heads turn when they look at my Mark-LT and I keep it looking clean and shining all the time. My only cornern is that I am struggling to get 12.5 miles to a gallon in the city. I havent really had it on the highway for any extended period but I would suspect that I might get about 17-18 MPG at best. I had the dealer put on the chrome step bars, bed liner, bed extender and hard cargo cover which looks great.

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  Nicest of the full size suvs - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By BOB JONES - September 7 - 12:23 am

  Nothing compares to the ride of a Lincoln. I drove the competition and they were not as comfortable or as luxurious as the Navigator.