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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  Great Value as Late Model Used Car - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Ridgeliner - May 10 - 7:53 am

  We bought this car in mid-2008 at a time when dealers were hurting. It had 9,000 miles on it. We are now over 27,000 miles and the car has performed wonderfully. No this is not a European/Japanese luxury car. But it delivers good gas mileage, 23/29, great comfort and it looks sharp. It has also proven to be very reliable. As a late model used car, the MKZ can be a super value!

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  Love my Navigator - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Kendall Harris - May 5 - 9:56 pm

  All I can say is that Ive Never had any problems at all Only thing Ive had Replaced were the Brakes which at the time I thought were to early but after talking to people they said 48000 miles wasnt that bad for a car this size.

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  I LOVE IT BUT I WILL HAVE TO MOVE ON - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By KELLYMC - May 2 - 2:06 am

  I must say that I love love love my car. It is stunning to look at and comming from a background of sports cars it is a super fun car to drive. Heads turn when people see this car comming down the road. There is a huge "but" in the midst of all of the things I love about this car! I have had to replace the window motor on the drivers side twice and the passenger side once. I have had gaskets replaced, coils 1,3,5 & 8 replaced and still have 4 more to go but can only get them replaced as they go out. The sun roof leaks but the crazy twist is that it fills up the pocket on the passenger door! I truly hate to get rid of the car but the repair costs are killing me!!!!!

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  Best bang for buck - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By David - April 28 - 7:23 pm

  I looked at all the SUV crossovers and I think that this is the best mid sized SUV. The brakes are good, fuel economy could be better but the engine is not broken in yet. I think Ford has a winner, but they need to educate their dealerships about the car. Not up to BMW or Lexus standards, which I also own.

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  Nuther satisified owner - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By stevenwglauser - April 26 - 4:36 pm

  Its not a BMW. It doesnt cost what I BMW does. I didnt want a BMW. I did want an American car that follows the formula - good size, great handling, decent acceleration, etc. etc. I got it. One of the best cars Ive owned (12 in the last 16 years.)

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  Loving my MKZ - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By petemkz - April 26 - 3:01 pm

  Ive had this car for about a month now and Im loving it more each day I drive it. First of all it is BEAUTIFUL inside and out, it drives like a dream and I love the "VALUE" I got from this car. I looked at the BMW 528 and MB E300H and they start at 50k+ and dont have some of the great stuff I has. I got 46mpg from two fill-ups, but I drive mostly on electric and in traffic and take my time! if you drive slowly and give yourself lots of stop distance you can get 45+mpg. Love the LED lights inside and out and the AC front "seats" and the adaptive cruise / LED headhlights / ride controls. The voice control system is awesome,it can control almost anything (calls, Nav, Temp and Radio / Sat).

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  Last Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By scott5 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  We liked the appearance of the new Lincoln LS so after years of repeat Toyota purchases we decided to try the Lincoln. A big mistake. We have the same problems with the headlight that everyone has mentioned in other reviews. The day we brought the car home as a new vehicle the remote door opener did not work. Plus, the windows will not roll down in the back and the power door lock on a back door is stuck so the door will not open.Of course the dealer wants a fortune to fix these defects. I expect better quality for a car of this price. Dont waste your money on this overpriced Ford product. Buy the Lexus or the Avalon.

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  Buy One - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Chuck C. - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I tried them all.cmfort,ease in driving and good looks.Buy U.S.buy lincoln.The cost of maint.compared to BMW&MBZ your $$ahead with Lincoln

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  02 LS Ohio - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By craig - April 23 - 6:06 am

  Ive been pretty happy with this car. One problem that worries me is the transmission, however. We had problems at approx. 20k miles with it, and the dealer rebuilt it (warranty). We now have 44K miles and the tranny is acting funny again. It "clunks" when you shift from park to drive (occasionally, maybe once every other day). There is no tranny dipstick to verify fluid level or color. Changing fluid looks like an ordeal, requiring special tools (read, costly). Other than the tranny, the car has been good, and fun to drive. This is the sport edition with V8.

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  Excellent Luxury Vehicle! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By pop123 - April 20 - 7:00 am

  This suv is a very good value, i love the seats, they are so comfortable, and the ride is amazing, the Engine is very powerful, i love the black clear coat, and Soundmark sound system, heated and cooled seats are Great job Lincoln! shouldnt have ceased production on these fantastic vehicles!also a plus. Never had one problem with this truck yet.