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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  fine lincoln ever - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By digby - October 17 - 6:43 am

  Very happy with everything about the car

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  LEMON! - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By buffmatt12 - October 15 - 4:10 pm

  This car is a problem machine! I bought my 2005 lincoln ls ultimate v8 a few years ago with 22k on it. I loved it for about a week because it looks nice,drives nice, and has every option you could ever want. As soon at the warrenty was at 50k the nightmare began! rear control arm went rims need to be replaced,air conditioning broke,colling system went, 3 wheel bearings,more cracks in the cooling system,7 coil packs, power window broke, electric parking brake switch went,advanced track needed service , leaking rear differential,driver seat moter, and now the power steering is acting up. all dealer repairs coasting over $6K .This really is the car from hell! DONT BUY!!!!!!

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  As Good AS My 3 and 7 Series - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By krscpa - October 15 - 5:40 am

  After two months this is the Ultimate Driving Machine. On par with my 1997 BMW 328ic and 1999 BMW 740i. Great balance in performance and luxury. Gas mileage was better than expected at average of 24 MPG. THX/NAV system sounds excellent and NAV system is user friendly. Interior very classic and comfortable.

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  Great Traveling & City Vehicle - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Satisfied Owner - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Continental and it has been the best. It is a great traveling car for 4 people and gets great Gas Mileage. I have only owned American cars and I buy American. I did buy it used but it only had 12,000 miles. I am sorry they quit making the Continentals. It was a good size I think the Town Car is just too big.

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  2016 MKZ Hybrid - NOT worth the money! - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Benjamin Jones - October 13 - 5:36 pm

  1. MKZ Hybrid is advertised as getting 40+ mpg city/highway. I promise you it will never, ever do that. The best my wife and I ever get is 36.6. Our average is between 30 and 35. So dont be fooled by the salesman. 2. The style is actually incredible. We both love the look and feel of the interior. The outside is pretty sleek as well, but the "white" version is not a true white - more of a pearlescent white. 3. At a full tank the dash reads 500 miles to empty, give or take some. We get maybe 350 miles before we have to actually fill up, so do not be fooled into thinking that a brand new car is any more advanced than its predecessors. My old pickup truck is more accurate in fuel estimation. 4. Heres the biggest freaking problem we had with this car: It has had 2 mechanical repairs and 1 fuel efficiency evaluation done on it since we drove it off the lot a few months ago. The dealership in Stockton put up a huge fuss about how this couldnt be really happening, it never happens to these cars, and we must be mistaken. Well we were not mistaken. A fuel fumes leak was repaired, a purge valve was replaced, and we insisted they give us an extra 10,000 miles on the lease because of the incredible disappointment this car has been for us. It will not get the amazing gas mileage promised, it has a very slow and low performing engine, there is minimal trunk space, and our dealership (even though they make it seem like Lincoln owners get treated SO much better) treated us like trash. I am not kidding when I say that I had to call them countless time to even get an answer on our problems. It was a full-scale disaster. My suggestion: buy Ford Fusion hybrid if you want the American made car. Its the same engine system as the MKZ Hybrid and its like 30% cheaper! Dont fork out big money for something that doesnt deserve it and wont earn it.

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  Enjoy the room in the cabin - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lincoln Zenith - October 12 - 11:03 am

  I enjoy the cabin .The trunk is large and very convenient. The only problem is to lift heavy objects from the trunk - seems to require more adjustment.

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  very good car - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Ascue - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with this car, enjoy the engine power and all the standard that comes with this kind of car. I am in the process of moving and this is the reason for me to sell the car.

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  Super Luxury - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By jcohoon - October 10 - 2:00 am

  First time owner of this brand, but probably will be a loyal customer in future years. Car is most comfortable to ride and or drive. Nice features like the moving pedal system, traction control, very responsive engine and superb climate control system. Fuel economy is 23 to 26 MPG which I consider exceptional for a car of this size and weight.

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  Great car - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Frank - October 8 - 10:03 pm

  I have owned 2 limited Explorers and thought this car would ride the same. Was I wrong. This rides better than My Lincoln Continental that I had. I test drove the new 2006 Benz Ml-350 and BMW X5. I found that The Aviator gave me a better more quite and comfortable ride with alot more room and many more toys that the others cars did not offer. The Elite Package is the way to go with this car, You will love the Navagation and DVD as well as the 300 watt Voice command Stereo and AC/heated seats. Gas wise it stinks but it will save you on insurance, besides if you can afford this car, gas should not be a concern. The ride is like a Luxury car should be. Test drive it and you will agree.

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  Classy Brooklyn Style - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By JoEy MiGs - October 5 - 4:13 pm

  This is a great car. I saw it online and fell in love with it. I called the dealership, I told them the deal I wanted and they acomodated me. The next day I went in a bought the car. The body style and the ride is wonderful and the interior is amazing. Affordable, and a lot of options that you would normally pay extra for come standard. Lincoln did a great job on the car, I am 23 years old and all my boys are raving about it. It has a young look to it and I think the MKZ and The Navigator are going to be the two hottest cars that Lincoln puts out!