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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  Piece of trash - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By LOUISIANA - March 20 - 1:06 pm

  I bought this car in 01/2007. Sold my SUV for this car. It has been nothing but trouble. Been shop more than out. Replaced wheel bearings four times, it has a rough idle that nobody can fine or the noise it makes in the dash.

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  Not for Winding Roads or steep grades - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By aes - March 18 - 2:33 pm

  We live on a mountain with a 15% grade for 4 miles. Our last car, a Montego, performed excellently with a CVT. It lacked power and was noisy so we wanted the same car with a Lincoln trim. The MKX seemed like the best answer and they market the 6 speed transmission as barely perceptable shifting. The CVT is no longer available. Since all of the Lincoln dealers shut down near our house we bought this 50 miles away without a test drive on our hill. Big mistake! It is truly wonderful as all other reviewers say on normal roads but the transmission hunts horribly on our hill. The L setting shifts from 2nd to first abruptly when slowing around blind corners and you have to go back to D to 2nd.

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  Serious Contender - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Dave T - March 18 - 10:06 am

  Most any magazine review of this car gives it a bland or no endorsement. Ignore them all! Besides that cool, unique interior, this car has great specs - 6 speed trans, 263 horses - better than most BMWs which will cost you thousands more. Riding in the class of a Lincoln for under $30K?? I dont see much to criticize about it whatsoever. It has great acceleration, especially in the middle gears and a tight feel in general. Its roomy, agile and stylish - I highly recommend it. Also, the dealer experience was very pleasant. One salesperson from start to finish and no pressure at any time. So far so good. Did I mention that the price was only $28K??

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  My Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By fhlicks2 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I love my Aviator! Its fun to drive and attractive to look at. The interior of the Aviator is posh, comfortable, and the controls are conventienly located. The exterior is glamorous and eloquent and visibly expressive of emotion.

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  Great looks & performance...poor quality - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By skparker - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This is a great looking car...lots of power and super handling. But it had just too many problems to list...transmision, rear end, front suspension, it ate tires (3 sets in 72k miles...mostly hiway!). The service mgr at the dealer once told me I just had to accept the shimmy in the front end. Trim pieces (back of seats, door panels) kept falling off, the CD player would quit after a couple of hours. I just got tired of leaving it with the dealer. By the end of the lease, I couldnt WAIT to get out of it.

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  SILVER BABE - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By JEHUDE - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is just great. Had it for a year and it still catches the eye Who said one can`t get classy vehicles in America?

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  Simply great SUV! - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By link-x - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving the new 2011 MKX for 2 weeks now, and still can,t get enough of this car. Finally Lincoln woke up and created something really really good. The comfort, equipment and ride quality should be the mark other SUVS are measured by.The new engine with 305 HP really puts some excitement into driving. Interior is simply awesome, with leather seats, dashboard and steering wheel. The electronics on this car are simply awesome, everything voice controlled. And of course the THX 2 sound system with 14 speakers and a subwoofer is definitely my favorite future. I have tested Mercedes MLK, audit Q5, and BMW x3 and none of these cars can measure up to Lincoln. Take drive in it, you will see

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  03 LS - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Duff - March 16 - 12:36 am

  Never docile, and averages 20 mpg for mixed driving. Nice fit and finish inside as well as out. The perfect 50/50 front to rear balance almost makes you forget this is a rear wheel drive car, until you Shift to sport mode, and it becomes a GT Mustang! While rear leg room can get cramped, driver comfort is excellent. The heated and cooled front seats are nice. One of the best riding cars I have ever owned, and beats out the 5 series BMW I sold to get it.

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  The Drivers Car - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By jimb - March 14 - 12:50 am

  If this car had a better transmission and a little more power it would be nearly perfect. The V8 offers great passing acceleration and the handling is great. In addition, on an 800 mile I-70 trip I averaged 28 mpg!

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  Great road car, highly reliable - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Joe Glotz - March 13 - 9:53 pm

  Base V6, purchased new, June 2002. Trouble free since. Its a great long- distance road car, ok as daily driver. Great handling, great suspension, great brakes. Ok engine. Transmission has to think a lot; upshifts are ok, but it positively cringes at even the hint of a downshift. Over-the-road mileage is 22-23, commuting is about 19. Supposed to use 91 Octane gas.