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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  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.

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  Noisy - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Andy - March 22 - 8:00 pm

  We have owned 3 other T.C.s but do not like the amount of road noise when on a concrete road. Too noisy for a luxury car. Also AC hits you in the face and is not easy to adjust. Seats are comfortable but not as good as previous models. I would definitely consider other luxury cars next time. Cant wait until our lease is over. It is not a good value.

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  Perfect Except for Mileage - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By Car Man - March 9 - 10:11 pm

  We love the car after 5 weeks, but the gas mileage is really poor. We are lucky if we get 17 combined. Its hard to believe that its this low. I drive a 2011 BMW 535Xi and drive it hard and get 23+. Lincoln needs to work on this for next versions. Other than this, would highly recommend the 2017 MKC.

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  Not the comeback car I hoped for - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By royals - March 7 - 12:00 am

  I havent owned a Ford product since 1984 (to me this is more Ford than Lincoln) and have owned no American vehicles since 1996. I have been dying to come back to American cars and this was to have been the triumphant return for me. While I was wowed by the exterior design, it stops for me there. I am 6ft tall and mid fifties. I think the new average buyers age. I bump my head every time I get in the car (roof too short). Lumbar support is poor, quality of the leather interior is not plush and comfortable (what I consider luxury is a plush interior) and I have never once gotten 40 mpg much less higher. I do not drive over 70 on the highway and am definitely not a speeder.

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  Rugged, Dependable, Smooth, Quiet... - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By 0rnery - March 5 - 7:09 pm

  Why is the panther platform the 1st choice for patrol cars, taxi and livery service? For the very same reason its MY 1st choice! Built like a bull, quiet as a mouse and smooth as a... panther. I repair my own cars as much as possible, and these cars break down the least of any, and when they do, theyre cheap and easy to fix. Not to mention the inherent safety of a full size, body on frame vehicle. Just took delivery of a 2006 Designer and its no different than my previous Town Cars and Grand Marquis in comfort and roominess. This platform has been tweaked to perfection as far as drive-ability.

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  Pretty to look at, but thats it! - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By johnjohn - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car as a second vehicle to run around town in. Not too many problems the first few months, then the fuel tank dropped. (Apparently something that is common in these cars according to the service writer). Had it out and it began to snow.... not recomended for ANYTHING other than dry pavement. For only having a V-6, the requirement for having atleast 91 octane is rediculouis. $2.25 a gallon to fill this puppy up :-(

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  A great second owner car! - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Bob - February 12 - 3:56 am

  This is the best overall car we have ever owned. A great used car bargin!At over 40K new the interior build quality is not there. We have put almost 100K on our car and other than replacing most of the front suspension parts we have had no problems. At about 80K miles parts of this car will let you know it was built in the Dearborn area! We would buy another if they still produced them.

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  Is it a Lemon or Just a Fluke? - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Sam - February 8 - 8:10 pm

  Had the car for a month and it has been in the service department for more than a week. I really love this truck and want it back once service fixes the faulty driver seat track and does something about that high pitch noise that I get from und the hood at freeway speeds. My wife says it give her a headache and I agree because i get one from the nosie too. Again I love this truck and just want it to be normal.

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  Needs more power for the price - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By msmac500 - February 2 - 6:13 pm

  The car is beautiful to look at. It lacks power though. The 5-speed is pretty slow in my opinion and it makes a lot of noise without really going anywhere. When the lease comes up for renewal I may opt for the V-8 LS or go to another brand such as the Cadillac CTS which is a little less expensive for a little more car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By Love my Lincoln - February 1 - 2:23 am

  I have loved my Lincoln. Gas mileage could be better, but I havent had any mechanical issues with this car. Engine still runs perfect, transmission still runs perfect, this thing purrs down the road like the day I bought it. The exterior is still very sharp. Interior leather is beautiful and still looks new.