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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  NOT a reliable or quality vehicle - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By BrettCFA - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I loved the look of this car and I have also found it to drive very well. HOWEVER, the problems that I have had are unbelievable. Leaking headlights, trim parts consistently falling off, rear windows failing, water in driverside door, driver seat heater didnt work, windshield wiper literally flew off first time used, heater went out twice, oil leaking from valve covers, etc... Simply not reliable. I was promised a vehicle when mine was serviced, but always got an argument from dealer.

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  Lincoln LS - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By Marlene Sadler - October 9 - 6:36 am

  Car handles fine. Gas mileage needs improvement. This is my first LS, four prior Town Cars, would not repeat this purchase again. Seats are the most uncomfortable I have ever owned. Have had this vehicle one year and in the process of replacing it.

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  Third, Worst and Last - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Last Lincoln - September 28 - 9:20 pm

  This is my third and last Lincoln. The quality is just plain overrated, mediocre at best. The wind noise around the front windows/doors will drive you crazy, not to mention the engine noise. Not enough power for this size car and lousy gas mileage. A/C will not keep occupants cool if outside temp is over 80.

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  A big trouble - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By LincolnOwner - August 31 - 1:33 pm

  I owned this for one year and have a problem after problem. I have 8000 miles and already replaced bi- pillars. There is a noise in a driver door and a panoramic roof area. Service trying to repair it and they dont know how. After 3rd time will hope for a lemon law. There is a problem with Ford. They dont know how to build a vehicle and service doesnt know how to repair them. You are on your own. Do yourself a favor, do not buy it. Or you will spend all your time in a service. Very poor quality of interior. I made a mistake when I bought it.

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  pros beat the cons - 2012 Lincoln MKT
  By 20maxcharacter - July 31 - 7:11 pm

  Needed seven passenger seating and did not want a minivan. Pros fast, handled better than a truck based SUVs that we test drove Q7,gx460, q56. J35 handled better but seemed underpowered. Good tradeoff between ride and handling. A little tin can feel but not nearly as tin sounding as the edge. Bad gas Mileage ECO boost in name only. Few mechanical issues with power seats. Third row head clearnce under 5 feet, leg room plenty. Good utility except for third row leg room.

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  Poor Gas Mileage, Mechanical problems - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Will - July 14 - 12:20 pm

  Got the car and the electrical system had to be replaced. Keep getting banging noise when accelerating but they cant find the reason. Fuel filter overloaded already. Gets at best 14 MPG. Very comfortable inside and love the features but would not look at this again

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  Worst car I ever owned - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Steve Mcblue - July 2 - 9:30 pm

  problems since day 1, terrible reliability with this car. I wont even start listing the issues cause it pains me. Im a mechanic and this is one of the worst cars to work on. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from the LS.

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  Worst Lincoln I ever owned - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Joe owner - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I hav had and continue to have electricial problems,front end problems,body noise problems. I have owned the car for 4 months and it has been in the shop for almost one month. I have put in a claim with Ford Motor company and will let you know what happens.I also have owned 7 previous Lincolns and never had a automobile so bad. Had car towed when allternator went our, got stopped by the police twice when tail lights were out. Rear tail gate does not always lock. Gas gauge sticks, wheels in front end vibrate steering wheel,hun now in front end.

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  Big mistake - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By JJ - March 24 - 3:16 pm

  When times were tough, I had to sell my 2002 Lexus LX470. But now I needed another V8 to tow my boat. I thought I would give an American made truck a chance. Bought one with only 87,000 miles at a reasonable price. Oh boy, big mistake. The radio and the temperature control work only occasionally. You have to bang on the dash to get them to work. In the last few months, it spent more time in the shop than on the road. My family got stranded by this truck so many times that Im ready to donate it. Piece of junk. No wonder the resale value is a joke on these cars. Im sticking with Japanese cars now.

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  It aint no Continental - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By The Captain - March 15 - 10:00 am

  Still underpowered but better than before. Does not have the interior conveniences of the Continental. No individual arm rests that move with the seats. Power point located on bottom of dash. rather than hidden. No handy sun glasses or tissue compartment. Its only a week old, has the room but not fun to drive as the Continental. 2003 design is better