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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  Lincoln LS, Luxorious , not pretensious - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By johnboy1 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Couldnt be happier. Looked at the new Luxory Kia. Almost bought a Maxima, but very pleased with my decision.

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  Super Swank SUV - Lincoln Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By super swank - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is Super Swank! Drives likes a sports car! Fun, Fast and Stylish! So comfortable and luxurious! The heated and cooled seats are too cool. Way to go Lincoln! I have test-driven many SUVs and this one is it! The only one that is an SUV, superior comfort and class inside, stylish outside and can haul-buns (as well as kids!) Cool stereo too! I am sooo spoiled!

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  Less than stellar - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By chewie - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I am very disappointed in my 2004 Aviator and the sales experience was horrific. I have had the vehicle two weeks and it has already been in the shop for two days. The ride is nice but the wind noise is unacceptable in a vehicle of this price. The Aviator hesitates when punched getting on the freeways of Houston which has almost caused an accident several times. It drinks gas worse than my son drinks soda. The storage compartments are numerous but small. The leg room in the back seats is tight and not comfortable for the passengers I have taken for a ride. There is more room in my Mountaineer, which is a better buy for the money.

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  smooth operator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By dmoses - July 31 - 10:00 am

  i love my aviator easy to handle very comfrotable smooth ride

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  Rattles & Mirrors - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By MarkNLynch - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Navigator. The drivers side rear door has rattled since the vehicle was new. They have tried to fix it unsuccessfully many times. The passenger side view mirror does not return to the correct position after repositioning when backing up. This is a serious safety hazard because you dont realize the mirror is not in the right place until you need it. Air conditioner output is not adequate for North Carolina.

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  Review - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By BOBBY JONES - July 31 - 10:00 am

  It is GREAT! ThIS IS BY FAR THE BEST SUV OUT THERE! BUY ONE TODAY!

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  "A pleasure to drive" - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Alan Newman - July 31 - 10:00 am

  In my 50 am tall, so I find the leg room, and the head room veryyears of owning and/or leasing Automobiles, I must say that my 2004 Lincoln Town Car rates among the best . The car rides like a dream, is extremely quiet, and responds with more than adequate power when needed. I am tall, so I find the leg room and the head room very spacious. I do love the car.

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  aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By charles - July 31 - 12:06 am

  the dealer said once I drive it it would be hard to go back, I owned two escape before going to the aviator, he was right, I liked it from the git go, still fun to drive, no plan on getting rid of it even if its a discontinued model, one of the side curtain sensors failed fully covered, otherwise no problems, would I buy it again you bet.

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  Wonderful Trip Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By ReneLeBlanc - July 28 - 1:36 pm

  We bought our 2000 Lincoln LS V8 Sport model after I retired because we planned to take many more long driving trips. The Lincoln LS has not disappointed us. It is the best car I have ever owned.

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  this truck is great - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By aprilfire - July 28 - 10:00 am

  i have a mercedes ml 320 and it doesnt compare t omy new lincoln. I love everything about this truck