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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  newer may not be better - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By cape codder - May 1 - 6:13 am

  My 99 Navigator went 45K mile with only a seat heater repair. This (04) baby now with 40K has issues more often. Head light repairs (3) which is not just a bulb. My local dealer has to order parts which means multiple trips for something that used to be a 5 minute job. Air compressor for front suspension replaced. Both front door glass windows are scratched vertically for which the dealer says I dont keep the car clean. The car went back for bad spark plugs when new. Has a whining drivetrain bearing noise dealer says is the tires. Tomorrow shes going in for ABS and Advanced Trac warning lights. Finding power window switches while driving is a challenge. When its off warranty its gone

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  ok if you have money to fix problems - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By jim - April 28 - 10:53 am

  brought the car year and a half ago and rides like a dream but many many many problems.In the year and a half i have had it the window wiper motor has gone out, my windows half the time dont work (all 4 of them), head gasket blew,water that leaks into the back floor when rains and many other minor problems and let me add I take very good care of my cars and dont beat them. I recommend this car but be prepared to drop some dollars on it.

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  First Lincoln - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Bartlett92 - April 26 - 3:53 pm

  My wife and I just replaced our Cadillac. We were going to buy foreign, but with the latest troubles with one of the companies, we thought twice. The jury is still out, but so far the car is what most people have said it would be. The gas mileage is what we got with the Caddy. One good thing is it uses Reg. gas.

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  Best Used Value On the Market - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Steve - April 23 - 1:27 pm

  I bought the car six months ago with 30,000 miles on it, still under warranty. I had a new, long commute and wanted something comfy that wouldnt use a ton of fuel. It was obviously very well cared for, and equipped with every available option, including the dealer added remote start. The ride is quiet, and very solid, not as luxurious as the MKS I had a few years ago, but very nice for its size. BTW-this is not a big car. I drove the 2016 MKZ as a loaner car and is noticeably larger. I changed out the original Michelins for Continentals due to a road hazard problem; the Contis have been great. Its enjoyable to drive, but if you get aggressive on a curve youre reminded that this car was built for cruising. Not a problem, just a characteristic. Couple annoyances : the drivers seat has required constant adjustment trying to find a comfortable seating position, but Ive finally found it. Headroom is at a premium due to the sunroof. Thats about it for limitations. It runs smooth as can be, looks good and delivers outstanding mileage. SYNC is just fine when you learn to use it.; I had an MB and the COMAND system wasnt better, just different. While I wouldnt have bought this new at $40++, as a used car this was a great choice. Update after 18 months: : headroom issue didnt change Otherwise this has been a great car. Over 41 mpg in warm weather, minus 10% in winter.

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  Pimpin in my Navi - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By TACruiser - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I owned the older model before switching to the new model, and must I say there is a huge imporvment!! Its very quiet and luxurious. The power could be boosted up a bit, But the fuel economy is bad enough. The front chrome rims get dirty real fast, and are tough to clean, especially over Winter!! But the rest of the car is extremely positive!!! Its deffanitly worth it!!! All in all I am very pleased with my Navi!!!

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  Fabulous Vehice Inside Out - But something to be aware of - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By jsanthanam - April 20 - 10:24 am

  I bought one with Panaromic roof. Yesterday, a good friend of mine saw this car for the first time and he was in awe with that car. With that note, he was about to get off from the front passenger seat. Since the car has a lower seating and the door was far from him to hold on to, he held on to the top frame of the car with his right hand fingers over the roof that I had just opened to display. With rain coming, I decided to close it with his fingers still on. The glass roof rolled over his fingers just as tight as one can imagine. His 3 fingers are now fractured. Owners of the car with this roof, please be aware that this could happen to you or someone with you.

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  FishingJoe - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Hubert Van Goeye - April 20 - 7:46 am

  The main feature I appreciate is the advancetrac. Ive made several trips from WA to MT in the winter and it has kept me on the road upright when other 4WD vehicles were in the ditches. It definitely goes in ice & snow. The ABS system is great and Ive never had a problem with control when I had to swerve to miss other drivers or animals that wanted in my lane.

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  Underappreciated American Gem - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By Fred - March 31 - 10:26 am

  I bought an MKZ, after considering the Lexus GS350, MB C-300, and Infiniti M35. I really wanted to like the "cooler" Infiniti or Lexus, but the quality of their ride did not match the MKZs. While not glamorous, the MKZs looks are quite good, the Nav and Sync systems well thought out (confusing at first; I finally got my Palm Treo to sync, with minor bug.) You definitely get a lot for the money! It handles very well, almost as good as the GS350 (and better than the ES, IMHO). The Satellite radio is terrific. A quality issue with the windshield, that may require replacement. But overall I am very pleased with my purchase.

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  Nickel and dime repairs - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By JR - March 27 - 12:20 pm

  I received this car from my grandfather who was meticulous with it. Every issue was repaired immediately and the vehicle saw a good mix of driving so I thought it would be a great car. I was mistaken. Although the ride is fantastic and performance acceptable for a big car with a small V-8 the upkeep is murder. CD player died, followed by drivers window cable system, then drivers window motor, rear passenger window motor, electric seats quit, ball joints (2nd set), brake lines rotted out, no vent setting on heater and the big one was the transmission torque converter clutch failure (which I was told is common to these cars). With only 80K miles Im seriously considering trading it off.

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  Glacial Acceleration? Bad Mileage?? - 2011 Lincoln Town Car
  By geustis - March 27 - 7:40 am

  According to my dash mileage computer, Im averaging 26mpg highway (@70-75mph.) Thats 1mpg better than the turbocharged V6 in the MKZ which is remarkable considering the town car has the advantage in length, width and mass. 0-60 time is around 8 seconds. 8seconds! (This is not a sportscar). The car feels surprisingly nimble and light on its feet for such a large car. Cruising at eighty feels effortless and passing at 95 is easy. The suspension is designed for absorbing flaws in the road, but is adequate for swerving around a cinderblock lying on the freeway.