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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  Nothing better SUV wise - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By ecrecelius - November 27 - 2:00 am

  WOW..this suv is the best. The gas mileage isnt the best but the car makes up for it considering all you get. Its no wonder now why i see so many celebs tooling around in them. I drove mine cross country to L.A with 2 big dogs and 2 kids, we wouldnt have made it without the luxury and performance of the navigator. It felt like flying first class.

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  Aviator" Performance - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By seon - November 27 - 2:00 am

  Hi, I drove a Ford Explorer Limited and loved it, until I bought the Aviator. All I have to say is simplicity in motion.

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  poor wheel quality - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By bentley11 - November 24 - 2:23 am

  I have a 2006 zephyer with all options have 8 thousand miles on it bought new. The chrome is peeling off of the wheels I have talked to other owners and they have the same problem. I purchased an extended warranty I was told by lincoln the wheels are not covered. I have bought lincolns for over 30 years this will be my last terrible customer service. if you own one check your wheels

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  Delight and Surprise - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Robert K Weidner - November 22 - 3:20 pm

  A classy looking car on the outside with a classic Lincoln looking interior design, very nice. Comforable seats with nice sporty feel and drive. Not my former BMW 330 CI, but very enjoyable ownership experience. Reliability is outstanding. Lincoln has changed for the better. I would recommend to others!

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  Awesome!!! - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Joe - November 22 - 3:50 am

  My Mom recently got this for a christmas present, and it is AWESOME. It handles like a charm and takes the corners very well. Shifts well and is very comfortable. Seat warmers are a plus this time of year. Getting 13.6 MPG, but motor only has 1300 miles on it.

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  Ford POS in drag...... - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By blacklumix - November 19 - 8:15 pm

  6 out of 8 ignition coils went bad $250 per cyl; serpentine tensioner went bad $310; muffler sound deadener shot; trailer hitch rusting; rear hatch paint bubbled at 50,001 miles; rear heating/ac fan makes "popping" sound; air suspension not sounding right... CD player not working right.... and now, at 77,024 miles transmission just went bad - est repair $2000. For a vehicle we mainly drive to and from work and Costco, this so called top of the line gas guzzling beast should not have these kinds of problems at 77,000 miles. Ford should be ashamed. Instead, there is nothing they can do because its "out of warranty" and theyre "sorry you feel" like you were ripped off. No they are not sorry!

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  2001 Toown Car Cartier - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By zog - November 19 - 5:43 pm

  This is my fifth Town Car, and I loved them all. I bought this one with 64,000 miles and it has been flawless. Comfortable, reliable, smooth and great mpg...21 city and 27+ hiway. I love the big car ride and the rear wheel drive. I do all my own maintenance and this is easy to work on. I fully expect it to go 200,000+ miles.

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  Wow - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By lumby - November 19 - 5:45 am

  Recently picked up a 2000 ls v8 with sport package. The car is as clean as a whistle. Ive owned bmw, mercedes, jaguar, saab, acura, infinitis, dodges, fords, chevys.....this is in my top 5 of cars... Beautiful looking, and that slight growl of the v8 under the hood hits a perfect note. The seats are comfortable yet supproting, the stereo is amazing, the cockpit feel is amazing.In fact my last bmw was a 2000 540i and believe the acceleration on the lincoln is peppier and more refined. I would never buy one new, but for a mere $2300 for this car, you really cannot go wrong. If you want some fun, refinement, and not look like too pretentious this is the ride. You must make sure its clean!

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  happy i bought it - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Mary Ann - November 18 - 8:40 pm

  I like lincolns especially the town cars- my father always said they were well built and comfortable. He was 100% right. The ride is great and it feels like you are being hugged in safety.

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  Great 0ld luxury car - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By jim - November 18 - 12:10 pm

  This large car has performed way above our expectations. The fuel economy is outstanding with several long highway trips in excess of 24 mpg and overall since purchase of 21.6 mpg. The creature comforts are great and no major malfunctions in almost a quarter of a million miles.