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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  I was Prepared To Be Amazed But I Was Bamboozled - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Scott in Wesern PA - October 24 - 3:20 pm

  To be fair, I was comparing this to the Mercedes E350, Cadillac CTS4, Audi A6 and a BMW 5 series. In my subjective testing of 15-30 minute test drives, each of these cars led or tied a category...The Lincoln was never a serious contender in any category. Cheap interior materials. A $1000+ top-of-the-line sound system that you swear is old fashioned boomboxes stuffed into the door panels. Significant squat upon moderate braking. Confidence un-inspiring body roll in curves. Over-boosted steering. At least they finally got the exterior styling correct as the new grill is beautiful. Significant road noise, could be the tires. I so wanted to like this car, and kept telling myself it stickered $15-$25,000 less than the others, but even at that price point I wouldnt pull the trigger as there are many other options in that price range that offer an engaging driving experience.

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  SUV- Super Utility Vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ColtsFan1 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle meets my expectations and I like the luxury and comfort. I have a few issues, but no road stoppers.

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  Iam Hooked on Lincolns - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By LincolnBoi2005 - October 24 - 2:26 am

  my experience has been great with my Aviator... recently drove from Ga. to NY .. i couldnt ask for a nicer drive .. Got 22 miles per gallon. the comfort was great since i drove straight through .. Handled great & engine power was like a breeze cutting through the mountains . was able to load everything i wanted to bring in the back cargo area ..

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  2017 MKZ Best looking car in its class - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Elliot Samuelson - October 20 - 8:39 pm

  The car is beautiful inside and out . Ride is superior, as is steering and brakes. The anti collision feature is worthless. Does not slow down or stop until within a foot of obstacle. Should work as well as braking for cruise control.

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  2017 MKZ Best looking car in its class - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Elliot Samuelson - October 20 - 7:15 pm

  The car is beautiful inside and out . Ride is superior, as is steering and brakes. The anti collision feature is worthless. Does not slow down or stop until within a foot of obstacle. Should work as well as braking for cruise control.

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  Great Car! - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By intelu1 - October 19 - 10:00 pm

  I love this car. We have taken several long road trips and this is the most comfortable riding car ive ever been in. The gas mileage is great - weve gotten up to 30 mpg on a road trip (freeway), the avg is approx. 26 mpg on highway driving around town its 21 to 23 mpg. This car has plenty of leg room not only for the front sead riders, but more then enough room for the back seat riders as well. My parents have cadillacs. They went on a trip with us and they both stated that their caddies cant even compare to the comfortable ride you get in this car. They stated next time they buy a new car it will be a Lincoln town car.

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  It brought me back to american cars - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Fl Driver - October 19 - 10:00 am

  I have owned three foreign cars before this great car. When looking for a sedan i looked at the BMW 540 and Infiniti G35, and the LS blew them all away. From handling, look, and dealer the LS is great. Now i enjoy driving to work everyday. The ride it solid and the power from the V8 is great. Just a nice all around car to own.

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  An Awesome car with one little problem - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ted and Elizabeth - October 19 - 10:00 am

  We bought a 2000 Lincoln Town Car Executive L. It is an awesome car the style and comfort is great. never had any problems with anything except for the Airbag light came on once and had it fixed under warranty and two months later it is on again. our car has the cloth top on it and the chrome along the bottom of the doors and around the wheel wells. gives it great curb appeal and lots of stares. if you want a car that gives you luxury and that statement of a well to do person than this is the car. Cadillac couldnt even compare to this car.

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  Great Car - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Vernon - October 19 - 7:36 am

  Fantastic car for the money. Bought ours used, 17,000 miles, for half the original price. Car does not hold value, but this is great for buying 1-year-old low mileage vehicle. Very comfortable on long trips, get up to 33 mpg on turnpike driving at moderate speeds, 21 mpg around town, both fantastic for a car this size. Great rearbackup warning system, love the 6- pack CD system. Problems: broken gas cap, broken center consule lid, lack of full-size spare (fixed by buying mag wheel with original tire and mounting in trunk!). Spare needed because took 3 days to get regular tire from dealer to replace ruined tire--imagine that out on a road trip! Car not perfect but fantastic buy bought used.

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  nice car - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By jw - October 18 - 8:46 pm

  Purchased this car from my grandmother a month ago and sold my new ES350. Love driving this car. While it is not very sporty and inside storage is non-existent, it has a very smooth ride, it is quiet, and very comfortable. I enjoy driving it and get plenty of compliments.