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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  SUSPENSION PROBLEMS!!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ILMI SUBRAHIMOVIC - September 3 - 2:00 am

  THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE CAR ON THE OUTSIDE MORE, ALOT OF AVERAE PEOPLE CANT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 2002 AND A 2003, BUT THE NEW EXTERIOR IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT, ESPECIALLY THE BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR WHICH IVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR...FIRST TRUCK TO OFFER BLACK LEATHER, AND ALSO THE FIRST AMERICAN TRUCK TO OFFER A NAVIGATION SYSTEM WHICH IS A BIG PLUS WIHT ME.

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  2014 Mkz with 5k driven miles - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By Russ - August 31 - 7:01 pm

  First off I got really lucky with finding a MKZ with everything I wanted with only 5000 miles on it. The other MKZs had over 20k on them. so far Ive had the car for 3 weeks and its been nothing but a dream its almost brand new the ride is super comfortable I came out of a Cadillac CTS and before that I had a Mercedes Benz 350 so I know what Comfort feels like in this MKZ is perfect when it comes to comfort and styling the interior is super quiet the exterior is strikingly beautiful. I love the I4 ecoboost engine gives you the power when you need it I feel like Im still in my V6 and when you go into sport mode it is really phenomenal on how it handles the technology package is not for everybody but I love it some of the older people dont like it they want knots and youll see the 2017 MKZ they went back to knobs but I prefer the Sleek styling that they have an in MKZ. You will not go wrong with a MKZ. Lincoln did a great job in this car..

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  Not bad for the money - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Kevin - August 31 - 5:20 am

  As a livery company, Lincoln beats all other vehicles...there is no comparison. When we owned Cadillacs, we spent most of our time taking them to the dealer for electrical repairs. Admittedly, Lincoln HQ needs to do something about the service dealers. In order to get your car in and out, service writers require "money under the table" otherwise your car can sit for days or weeks. It is a corrupt system and demands attention.

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  my 2006 lincoln zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By connie - August 30 - 12:46 pm

  styling id great, however the economy thus far does not live up to expectations. we average 22 mpg, even on experssway. cant this be improved?

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  1997 Lincoln Town Car - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By alhum - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used in April of 1999. It had 15900 miles on odometer. Only thing that went bad was anti-thief alarm. Just routine maintance. It is the best car I have ever owned. Great on the road and considering the size gas mileage isnt that bad either. I plan to drive this car for a long time.

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  Purely Awesome - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Pandora - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This truck has great features and georgoues interior. I wish the exterior was easier to tell apart from the 2002. The interior is a huge improvement.

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  Dont Buy - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By gennipher - August 27 - 1:33 am

  I have had this vehicle in the shop for a total of 25 days- out of the 3 months I have owned it- It has had the drive shaft repalced, return hose to the power steering replaced, multipe balanacing of the tires, road forced, shimmiy/shaking poor brakes (going to the floor) and the steering wheel turns to the left when braking normally anout 1/2 inch to an inch everytime... it has a shuttering noise when you turn the wheel and when you first satart it- it has a total of 2000 miles on it- I filed arbitration paperwork and the Lincoln rep advised me that the vehicle "ran pretty good" did not think there was any thing else- dealership advised it still needed new tires and lincoln rep said no

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  2000 continental - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By clockwich - August 26 - 8:16 am

  This car is my second third Continental. Reliability is great. Dealer service is abobe average. This car has a powerful V8. If you can keep your speed at around 70 on a trip, the fuel economy will be 27 or 28 mpg. It is a real shame that 2002 is the last year of this fine automobile.

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  I love my new Lincoln - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By 4door sedan - August 24 - 3:53 pm

  Ive had this car for 9 months and it still feels like new. It is so responsive that driving it is pure pleasure. so far, no problems, no rattles, no regrets.

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  Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By AviatorLover - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Aviator. Picked it up a week or two ago and its been great. I love the navigation system because it offers so many features. I got the Ultimate Series because I liked the name. LOL!! I think this vehicle is wonderful. The seating is superb unlike the Explorer!!