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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  Buyer Beware!! - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By debbie harwood - January 13 - 6:23 am

  I purchased the MKX in Oct. 2015. Loved the car until it stalled on the freeway in traffic with only 2200 miles on it. It has now stalled 2 more times with trips to the dealer and no definitive answers. They have called technical support and re calibrated RPMS and replaced temperature sensors. This is a brand new car with only 3800 miles. Hugh mistake and disappointment in Lincoln Customer service and Dealership.

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  Great used luxury vehicle - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By cwo3usmcret - January 11 - 3:23 pm

  I have read the previous reviews on this car. I think this is one of the best looking cars that I have owned. The interior is very classy. I did need to have new valve covers put on, but that is normal. This is a quality car, very well built and fun to drive.

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  Flawless Town Car - 2008 Lincoln Town Car
  By TODD - January 11 - 12:36 am

  I am a 41 year old guy who has owned 18 town cars since the age of twenty. I strayed a couple times to a 430S Class Mercedes and a 530I BMW. The maintenance every 7000 miles was high and the ride in both was rough and caused lower back pain. This Town car like all the other are super smooth and average 22mpg. I can drive to Naples Florida and get out of the car and feel rested rather than feeling stress. From the Country Club to the store I never feel out of place. Im sold on Lincoln Town car 2008.

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  Enjoyable Vehicle - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By bigk67 - January 9 - 2:00 am

  This is actually my wife’s vehicle, but I have to pleasure of driving it on the weekends. The power is decent, and the ride is excellent. We rarely use the third row seat, as the dog has to ride with us everywhere. The vehicle is a little wide for most parking spaces, so it is prone to many door dings. The plastic side panels have helped on many occasions, but you cant stop all of the idiots.

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  Decent Car - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Mac - January 8 - 8:56 am

  I had to purchase a new car after my 89 Buick bit the dust. I shopped around and found this at a local dealer ship and they had an excellent price on it. The car was purchased with 80K on the dial and it is now up to 90K. I have had two MAJOR problems and those are as follows: 1) PATS module that tells the car that the key is in the ignition failed costing 400. 2) A bad airbag sensor in the passenger airbag costing 350. Overall it has been a pretty decent vehicle.

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  My Dream Machine - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Ruby - January 5 - 12:02 pm

  I bought mine used in 2015, it had been very well maintained a parking sensor had gone bad and is a pain to replace so I upgraded my radio with a touch screen with Sirius xm and Bluetooth, added a backup camera. However that made my rear dvd not work, soooooo Im getting an aftermarket one installed next week, but I dont care I LOVE this vehicle, and cant imagine why they stopped making it.

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  The 05 is even better then 02 - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Faithfull one - January 4 - 5:56 am

  This is my second Lincoln LS I loved my 02 but this one is even better. It has incredible power, handles wonderfully, and is so fun to drive.The even weight from rear to front keeps the car from nose diving when stopping fast.I was sold on it when we were doing 75mph and the truck in front of us lost his load and we had to stop suddenly. We never lost control and stopped with such ease.

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  The 05 is even better then 02 - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Faithfull one - January 4 - 5:06 am

  This is my second Lincoln LS I loved my 02 but this one is even better. It has incredible power, handles wonderfully, and is so fun to drive. The even weight from rear to front keeps the car from nose diving when stopping fast. I was sold on it when we were doing 75 mph and the truck in front of us lost his load and we had to stop suddenly. We never lost control and stopped with such ease.

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  Won me over The Zephyr is a perfect fit - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Tracel2000 - January 3 - 11:36 am

  At 32 years old, I am probably on the young end of the range for Lincoln’s target population for the new Zephyr, but the car fits me like a glove. After testing many (and I do mean many) cars, and dealing with the exasperating car salesman, I could not pass up the Zephyr. I traded in my 01’ Lincoln LS for the Zephyr, and although I lost some horse power, I gained a sportier feel and better gas mileage, while maintaining the comfort and style of a Lincoln. I found it not only responsive on the back roads, but also smooth, quite and comfortable on the highway; much more so than the Cady CTS (This was important to me, due to the fact that I spend much of my time on the road).

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  ALARMING SITUATION... - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By SFABB - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Not a bad car, I enjoy the ride, and looks. The major problem Ive been experiencing is the alarm goes off at any given time. Ive taken the car to the dealer on two occassions, since they cant duplicate the problem theres not much they can do. I believe the problem is in the ignition. When I shut the car off the alarm sounds.The door ajar does not go on. If anyone is aware of the cause, please e-mail me.