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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  axle issues on 2003 models - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By eugeneinchicago - May 19 - 7:46 pm

  I own multiple cars, 98 town car, s500 98, mercury GM 98 and this one 2003 town car. Better ride than anything else, not as soft as 98 town car though, they changed the front suspension and the ride became firmer. All model year 2003 town cars (made in the year 2002) have issues with the rear axle, I had to replace mine after 18,000 miles on it, and I dont drive much at all so it was at my expense, there was a recall on all of these cars but a free repair was only for vehicles sold to fleets rather than individuals, If you hear a whining sound from the rear, or any sort of "road noise" that means the rear axle is bad. They did resolve the problem on all of 2004+ town cars.

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  Poor Quality: Cylinder, Transmission and AC Problems - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By natefromaz - May 18 - 7:33 pm

  I bought a brand new Lincoln Aviator in November 2004 and it now has 82K miles. The quality of teh venhicle in general has been bad after he cross 60K miles. In general the engine pings and the check engine light comes and off and when we come to a stop light, the AC starts blowing hot air. The check engine light came steady on at 78K miles and when I took it to the dealer, it was diagnosed that left side cylinder head and transmission needs to be replaced and there is no warranty and I was given an estimation of $5500 for the cylinder head and $3500 for transmission. I called Ford customer care but they said that they cannot help or cover for these costs. Dont buy Ford!!

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  Disappointed - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Unhappy - May 18 - 4:40 pm

  It is more like driving a car than a SUV. The ride is rough and the gas mileage is not up to what Lincoln indicates that it will be. It doesnt have the usual Lincoln qualities. This vehicle is identical to the Ford Edge except for a few cosmetics.

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  WOW was I disappointed - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By peter_0928 - May 18 - 1:38 pm

  I am only 18 and this is the second car Ive gone thru. I had a 98 camry that tranny blew out on so I got this off craigslist. The only good thing i can say is I spent 900 bucks on it. Were do i begin, the day after I bought it the drivers window went then a few days later the o2 senors went within the weeks after that problems ranging from a faulty alarm to the air suspension breaking. As of today I bought another car making this my third car in my only short year of driving. I thought the continental would be a great buy with the nice luxurious feel but boy was i wrong. This weekend i will be junking the car getting what I can for it. got it with 144,590 junking it with 145,718.

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  Great to drive - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Richard - May 18 - 5:36 am

  Fun to drive & dont take up my whole garage. Most of my driving is turnpike avg 17.5 mpg. Not bad for the Navigator look without the bite at the pump.

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  luxury meets affordable - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Richie rich - May 17 - 11:03 am

  The ride is comfortable. I love the drivers seat that is programmable for 2 drivers. Just push a button and seat goes to your drive setting. Love everything about this car.

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  MKX Arrives w/Style! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Nice Car..I Mean SUV - May 13 - 8:50 pm

  Nice car. Lincoln did a nice job with the overall design. Could have used a glove box light and covers for the seat wiring. Car broke down on first trip. Gas meter stopped working. Rear taillight was scratched from factory. Nice design, beautiful car but Lincoln quality assurance needs refinement! The GPS navigation is anything but intelligent often selecting the most indirect route. Software needs to be re-engineered!

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  Town Car - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By stang99x - May 12 - 10:00 am

  An excellent riding car that almost drives itself.

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  The ultimate big ride! - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Thespecialist - May 12 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the most comfortable, family friendly SUVs around. This is the 4th Lincoln I have owned, so I may be biased! Awesome styling, a car- like ride, tons of power, and head- turning looks are all standard. I dont care too much about the gas mileage - hey, how many people buy big SUVs for the economy? You buy them because they do what you want them to do, and do it well. So if I get 14 MPG versus 20 for a generic mini-van, who cares? I will gladly pay the extra price. The prices for used Expeditions and Navigators are very reasonable, and they really are great values.

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  What a step up - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Bellefe - May 12 - 2:10 am

  After spending a month driving my mother in law Mercedes E class and then my my sister in law Accura, We were sick of the small car noise, cramped head room and low to the road feel. We call a cab to take us out to Dulles for the trip back west, we got in to the Limo and had the ride of our lives. I asked the driver what this incredible smooth beautiful car was and he said a Lincoln town car made in 2005. We went shopping for a Town car after selling the Suburban and think it is the best Luxury car Ive owned. Ive owned Mercedes, Accura, Sterling, Lexus and this is heads above them all. Thank God for the hordes loving the foreign car these car are just a great price for the ride