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:

• 

  FINE - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By DesMoines - August 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for driving-plush great ride. Easy to park gets around in all weather. Lots of power. Terrible gas mileage(13-15 max) city/highway. And too small of a gas tank (20 gallon)- I am filling up constantly-once a week.

• 

  Great ride and comfort - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Ed - August 24 - 4:26 am

  Price varies greatly when purchasing

• 

  Get a lot of looks! - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By tpk - August 23 - 9:53 pm

  After driving SUVs for 10 years, decided to try a car again. Drove the big Audi, Lexus, Volvo, Benz, BMW and then the MKS. Loved the interior and options of the MKS compared to the rest and bought it that day!

• 

  Imports Beware! - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By FredM - August 20 - 2:06 am

  Imports Beware! Just took delivery of my MKX and my wife and I are very happy. I am in the automotive business so I was able to do a lot of research and test drives on similar Crossovers and found the MKX the best in safety (5 Star) and value. Went to Orlando this weekend, a 3 hour trip and the MKX met all our expectations: Comfort, Fuel Mileage and Luggage space. This vehicle is replacing a BMW that I had for 3 years and the car was wonderful so the MKX needed to fill big shoes and it did. The X5 would have been my other choice but was smaller and almost 15-20k more. The X3 was out of the line up as it was even smaller. All the other imports in my opinion were over priced and over rated.

• 

  Performance - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By FERNANDO CAMPO - August 19 - 3:10 pm

  Good car all around, use too much gas, and the shocks are hard when you hit a bumper. Very quiet car great interior and exterior. Great car

• 

  Navigator great value except! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By loren huckstadt - August 19 - 10:00 am

  My 2003 Lincoln Navigator has been a total blast to drive even considering I have owned Ford Explorers and Expeditions and was not ready for the refined driving experience so far. As with everything there is a down side. The first 8400 miles I have replaced a seat cover for discoloration and an alternator. The dealer has been good about handling my complaints but not really forth coming on what has caused the defects. To tell you the truth I think a factory hotline for consumer reports and repairs would go a long way in improving the whole Lincoln experience!

• 

  2009 Lincoln MKS 4dr AWD - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Winton - August 15 - 11:03 pm

  The car glides and handles effortlessly. Lots of interior room both in the front and back. The Sync and Navigation systems are easy to use and work great. I feel its a good car for the money (despite the review from Edmunds) and would definately buy another one!

• 

  Happy Lincoln MKC Owner - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By Happy MKC Owner - August 15 - 10:18 am

  Only have had the car for a week. First Lincoln I have ever leased. Runs great, very smooth, quiet ride and great look. It is a real step up in all facts when compared with a Ford. Too new yet to say much more, but the more I drive it, the more I like it.

• 

  Pimp Daddy ride - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By clipper821 - August 15 - 2:20 am

  One of the cons of this vehicle is what prompted me to buy it. In 1998 this car had a MSRP price of about 44K. I bought it 3 years old in June of 2001 with 3K miles for only $17,000.00. Retail then was about 21K. That is a steal for what you get in this package. Overall I love it. Tons of features, tons of power, and a classy ride.

• 

  Im in love with this car - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Michael Watts - August 14 - 7:26 pm

  this car is amazing. it handles like a sports car at 105 mph. its amazing. i drive it hard and it can handle it. ive gotten it to 125 mph and the thing handles like im going 0 mph. its amazing. i was on my cell phone even and i had complete control. the 0-60 is amazingly fast too, this cars got major tourque, it just ripps down the road. i would reccoment it to anyone who wants performance of a sports car with luxury of a mercedes s-class. anyways, if you want an suv, this is it. it can be compared to the range rover its so nice, but you can buy it for tons less. it never gives me trouble either.