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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  Excellent Build Car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Danville Owner - February 15 - 5:56 am

  This car handles great, looks great and rides excellent. Everyone that sees it just loves the look and the sleek body style. It has plenty of room and the sound system is out of this world. The grand children just love this car.

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  Love my Linclon LT - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By charlie frame - February 15 - 12:20 am

  Looks great & drives very well, pulls a fully loaded trailer with ease.

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  Lincoln LS: There is no substitute... - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Ivan - February 14 - 12:20 pm

  The Lincoln LS is the ultimate driving machine. Affordability and extensive features makes this car attractive to any gadget man who likes toys (like the GPS) and the feeling of safety and power on the open road.

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  Very Good, but not Great - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By muncie_in - February 13 - 5:24 am

  Purchased this car 4 weeks ago. On a 4-hour highway trip averaged 38 mpg. Same in town. Car is very comfortable to sit in for long distances. Interior is classy and exterior paint looks great. Complaints include fuel efficiency leaves display difficult to determine how efficient you are at that moment. Windows look great, but difficult to see oncoming traffic when backing up on a slight curve. Most disappointment was/is with Lincoln itself. They offered a $1000.00 rebate if your car was from a competing manufacturer, but not if you were a loyal Ford owner! Ive never been penalized for loyalty.

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  Older design that still works! - 2008 Lincoln Town Car
  By Andy - February 12 - 3:56 pm

  This is Lincoln number nineteen for me and no, Im not 100 years old! I have driven this car for up to 14 hours at a time with absolutely no fatigue while obtaining 27+ mpg. Ive tried it in other cars (namely, my wifes Jaguar, the BMW that preceded it, and a Cadillac I purchased once in a moment of temporary insanity) and Ill take the Lincoln anytime. Sure, other cars have lots of fancy technology. Would be great if it worked, which has not been my experience. Like I said, Ive had 19 Lincolns and have never been stranded by a single one of them, nor even had a major repair for that matter. Im 52 years old and hope they keep building them for as long as I live!

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  Great Exterior. Awesome Interior. - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By Ryan - February 12 - 8:46 am

  Mine is fully loaded. Black on black with the sport package. Getting compliments on the exterior in parking tops and drive-throughs. Friends and family jealous of the interior. Not quite as thrilling behind the wheel as a G37 but WAY more comfortable. What potholes? Interior is smoking. Comfy. Love the ambient lighting, SYNC and THX audio.

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  to much trouble for new mkz - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By no more lincolns - February 12 - 1:03 am

  Purchased this car mid-09,has been in shop 6 times.First on brake rotors,car has bad vibration when acceleration 40 to 60mph,head light out {was an electrical box had to be ordered{over 2 weeks},back windows goes down halfway by their-selve,stero system goes in an out,service shop has put it on computers and test drove,reset computer stiil hesation, jerky when accelerating and lincoln now says its a normal for this car.I would like for any owners reply if they have or dont have this problem when accerlating at 40 to 60mph.

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  dont always take the "experts" opinion . - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By peb - February 12 - 12:56 am

  Ive had this mkx for 2 months and love it even more now than when I bought it. Nothing beats its styling, interior or exterior, I got the blue with terra cotta interior, beautiful. Sticker was 52,500 , selling price with dealer discount and rebates was 47,500. No problems . base engine has more than adequate power expecially in sport mode. Most comfortable car Ive ever owned. "experts" say its best as a highway cruiser, but I say it also handles curves very well in sport mode with little drop in ride comfort. Excellent base revel stereo. Lane control works well but I like to keep the steering vibration alert off. Dont believe experts biased toward imports, they probably think its hip to downplay American luxury.

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  I love it - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Brundogg - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I love my car, I wish that the radio controls would light up at night though. I feel that is a flaw, however, there isnt a car on the road that looks as stylish as a Lincoln LS

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  Best I found - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Juice Man - February 9 - 10:43 pm

  After a year of searching, I found this to be the best in style, comfort, and steering. Quiet, smooth, and good looking. The leather is awesome, like the nav system, and sync was a major plus.