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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  Elephant Really Can Tap Dance - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ketsia - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Before purchasing my 2003 Navigator in 7/02, I read a review which ended with "This elephant can tap dance." I took it with a grain of salt but completed my purchase anyway. I decided to write this review after a truly great experience. It had been raining heavily today and I rounded a curve at about 40 mph to find myself right in front of a huge "pond". I had no time to break but just plowed into this pool of water. I expected the worst, but guess what? This baby just plowed through with not even a jolt to the steering wheel, straight ahead. The handling on this monster is comparable to a sportscar. I LOVE MY NAVIGATOR!!!

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  VERY disappointed - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By JT - June 22 - 11:33 pm

  Im amazed to read all the positive reviews. Since purchasing 4 months ago, it has been in the shop 5 times for quality & build issues. 2 trim pieces were improperly installed at factory using FORD trim pieces that did not even match. The entire steering column had to be replaced due to an incessant rattle (manuf bulletin). Supports in the headliner were not properly fastened causing excessive overhead rattling. Two dealers cant seem to balance the tires. CHEAP plastic abounds in the interior, and the adjustment for tilt steering is primitive. This thing drives and handles like a beast, the seats are unsupportive and uncomfortable, & the paint has runs in it. 50K for this???

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  awesome car - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By sally - June 15 - 10:56 am

  I love this car, could not ask for anything better. Has alot of power, I bought the ecoboost engine and the acceleration is great... I like to haul alot of antiques, so having the option to fold down the rear seats gives me alot of cargo space.

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  American Luxury - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Carrie61284 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  All that I have owned has been Lincolns except once I tried something new and got an Audi A4. It was the worst car I had ever owned, nothing but problems. Needless to say I now own another Lincoln!!!

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  Half a loaf - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By disappointed - June 10 - 12:10 am

  I have always owned Fords. Generally like em. Stepped up with this one and what a disappointment. Lincoln forgot to pay attention to detail. The transmission takes weeks to downshift so the V-8 power is squandered. The "automatic rain sensitive" wipers are a constant irritant. Throttle tip-in acts more like a 4-cylinder turbo than a V8. The dumb "all windows down and sunroof open" feature activates if the button on the fob is accidentally pushed so the car filled with rain one night. In general, a great potential that has been wrecked by lack of attention to detail. Should have gotten an Impala and saved the money.

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  Are you kidding me? - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Gary - June 7 - 6:46 am

  There is no car on the road better than this one for the price. I decided to trade from my Caddy CTS and was ready to go back to previously owned models, and Ive had them all. Infinity FX, Acura TL, Mercedes S and E series, Lexus LS, I could go on and on. If anyone had told me Id end up with a Lincoln MKS Id have laughed. I had decided on a fully loaded Lexus GS350 when I drove this car. My wife loved it, I was blown away by the technology and the combination of luxury and handling. Whats the rap from the Editors? Good grief, there is no car on the road that compares at this price. Perfect combination of luxury and performance from a guy that loves both. Best car Ive ever had.

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  Wonderful Automobile - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By archie20 - June 6 - 6:14 am

  Bought this car in July 2010 with 10,000 miles on it. There were initial issues with pairing of cell phone, but the dealer and Ford were persistent in getting those resolved. Since then, my wife and I have driven it 10,000 miles and love the car - fit, feel, handling, and performance. Visibility out the back is not all that great and full use of the console controls takes some getting used to (probably true of any new car) by older folks (72). Synch technology probably not quite ready for prime time.

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  Why did Ford drop this great auto? - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By marsmadden - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Not one problems whatsoever in more than two years. Dealership has good service and warranty has not cost a nickel. Disappointed that FMC dropped the model.

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  My sixth Lincoln... - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By CarCom - June 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my first experience with the "new generation" and its great! My last one was a 90 Town Car with the famous "float" and the feel of the new one is much better. I bought this one with 60K on it and its like new, still smells good:) The acceleration, handling and braking are a pleasant surprise, heads and shoulders above the old gen. There is not one thing wrong with the car, Im so glad Lincolns have rotten resale or Id be driving a Sable or something...:)

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  My LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Lincoln JC - June 4 - 9:46 pm

  Bought the LS V8 three years ago and loved it in the begining. Start by saying I will never by a lincoln LS again. With a small block V8 didnt think the milage would be this horrible. The K&N filter did help out with more horse power and gas milage. Had to return the car the first week I had it cause of faulty power packs whatever replaced the spark plugs. That cost the dealer over 500 dollars. Transmission is HORRIBLE! after the warrenty company replaced it with brand new trans. Im still having problems. Cost me over 700 to replace alternator. 1200 in tires and window brackets 280 for only one door I have yet to replace the second rear window. would not recommend the Lincoln LS people.