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:

• 

  Shweeeeettttt Ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2009 Lincoln MKX
  By tennisplaya - November 22 - 6:06 am

  I just bought the 2009 MKX with the Navigation, Sync, 20 inch wheels, and THXII sound. I am absolutely blown away that a 5-year-old car with 101,000 miles can still run like new and look like new. The ride is quiet and the creature comforts are outstanding. Heated/cooled seats in the front and heated rear seats as well as the panoramic sunroof and incredible sound system round out the excellent package. It holds the road well due to its wide stance. This has gota be one of the nicest used cars I have ever seen and driven.

• 

  Lincoln Town Car - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Bob Thom - November 17 - 10:23 pm

  This is my sixth Town Car and they have all been very reliable. this drives better than any prior car I have owned. Has new tires. Interior is leather and is new looking. This car has some extras usually found only on Cartier Models

• 

  Engaging Lincoln "Z" - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By ojars zvaigzne - November 17 - 9:46 am

  I purchased this vehicle used in 2015 with 49k miles on the "clock". I REALLY like the car! The car is an outstanding value as a USED car because of its high depreciation. It delivers in "spades" when it comes to providing a serene and VERY quiet ride. Performance is very good with rapid acceleration and precise,flat cornering. Reliability has been outstanding with ZERO problems during the 14mo that I have had the car. The car has a very good interior except for a couple of things: the door storage bins are made of hard plastic and dont match the high quality of the rest of interior; the base audio system leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to sound quality (poor bass). I would also give a shout out to the selling dealer, WHITE BEAR LINCOLN in White Bear Lake, MN. This dealer "bent over backwards" to make sure I was totally satisfied with my purchase! KUDOS!

• 

  2004 tc - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By rosborne - November 15 - 7:50 am

  Great on long trips on the road around town (after all it is a town car). very quiet compared to the 96

• 

  Lincoln is back!! - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Thomas - November 10 - 2:43 pm

  The Continental is by far the best car I could have purchased for the money. Silky smooth/quite ride, excellent performance and top notch materials. And as always the treatment and service you receive from your Lincoln Mercury well Lincoln dealer is always superior to anyone else. I highly recommend the Continental to anyone who is looking for a comfortable and luxurious sedan. Also 400 horsepower is a great thing to have on reserve as well. So glad Lincoln brought back the Continental.

• 

  Great Gator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Wizards24 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle for the soccer mom or the career person. It has great versatility and can be used for that special date or just the kids.

• 

  a worthy successor to the old mark serie - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By themacguy - November 8 - 3:00 am

  Purchased this one for about $12k off list at end of model year. Used 90% local and 10% highway driving, so the miles are only around 10k per year or so. Very good value for the money, even taking into account the depreciation factor since we got it so cheap. Black with a light camel interior shows no wear even after 5 years in the. W. Tx. Sun, and thats saying something since its never spent a day under cover. Lincoln should have taken the rear doors out and kept this as a 2 door mark. big mistake as the fwd that replaced it is just a corporate car... My familys had lincolns since the 60s, but Lincoln is clearly in trouble now. Very sad.

• 

  Merry MKTmas - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By Ozzie - November 4 - 7:03 pm

  I just drove this home from Disney with the family loaded to the gills with suitcases. I traded in a 2008 Mazda CX-9. My family found it comfy and very quiet. This is the most solid feeling American vehicle I have ever purchased. For its size and heft the handling is excellent. Seats are spectacular and firmer than the mushy Flex. My girls are 64-65 inches tall and their heads dont hit the roof in the the 3rd row seats. Those large of torso will not do well in back. I was planning on getting a Flex, but after driving this I thought it was worth the difference. We own a Benz R320 and this feels the same if not better. We got 21 MPG highway which is good for size and load. Love the look.

• 

  navi - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By nick schumacher - November 3 - 10:00 am

  the nav has the smoothest ride of all the suvs ive been in

• 

  Great Car Bought Used - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ron - November 1 - 11:56 am

  This is my third Lincoln. I purchased 1994, 1997 and 2004, all used. Great investment. The 2004 Ultimate is the best I have had. it had low miles 25k when I bought it. So far I cant stay out of it. Its just too much fun to drive. Im retired (69) and plan on making several long trips. I get compliments from all my friends how nice the vehicle looks, rides and its economy. Hope to live long enough to buy another. I rate it as a ten!