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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  escalade....move out my way - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By irishnavigator - July 5 - 10:00 am

  great looks, and great ride. style is far above the rest. folding seats are a great addition. interior dash and satin nickel speak for themselves. just wondering why lincoln doesnt add daytime running lights? otherwise hummer... yukon...escalade.. get lost.

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  Depends on the day... - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By CatMcM121 - July 3 - 4:06 pm

  Most days I really enjoy the navigator. Other days I want to kick myself for buying it. While I got it at a steal for 10G last year with 65k miles, I got it right when gas prices skyrocketed, my fault, as was not paying attention to the sound/alarm/entertainment systems (aftermarket and CHEAP). It drives beautifully, but what irks me is the odometer that appears/disapppears randomly, the "growling" noise it makes (something to do with suspension, happens when the car is off! talk about the strange looks I get...), back wiper dead, seat heater doesnt work. Other than these problems, its fine. Tough to drive in the city. Great for long trips if you can afford getting only 18 mpg highway

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  One of the Last Continentals - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Joe McLeod - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used with 19k on it. A wonderful car. Got some cracks about driving an "old mans" car, but I dont care. Just hit the pedal and leave those people behind. 32V8 really puts out thrust. Absolutely no flaws, rattles, anything. I will be in this car for a long, long time.

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  Fantastic Used Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Noreen - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Had this car for only a month, but admired co-workers for a year. She adores hers and, so far, I feel the same. Immediately had a problem with headlight retaining water after car was washed, but it was still under original warranty, so dealer had it replaced pronto. Car handles beautifully, V8 is quick to respond, great trunk space including rear fold-down seats, lots of cool dash features that I havent completely learned yet, quiet and smooth ride for its size. I have noticed it to be a sexy head-turner, even though it is exceedingly elegant. Car is everything I hoped it would be.

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  Lots Of Car For $$$ - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By BigRJ - June 26 - 3:53 pm

  The price that I paid for this car versus what it cost new must be heartbreaking for anyone who purchased them brand new, but for the features and the "amount" of car I got for what I paid are unbelievable!!! Power, looks, and overall comfort are un- matched in the price catagory I paid. May be the nicest vehicle I have ever owned!!! If you are looking for a reliable, feature laden, good looking car, and dont want to spend a fortune, look no further!!!

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  green99 - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By malcolmd - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased. No problems other than to replace a power window motor.

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  john - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By johng - June 22 - 3:00 pm

  Enjoyed the pick up and reliability of the vehicle. the pearl finish was excellent except for some paint peeling on the door bumpers. The select areas for fiberglass was a good choice and eliminated any potential rust areas. The auto recall on the seats was enormously helpful since Ive driven some without.

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  Look elsewhere - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By T. Ross - June 22 - 9:00 am

  This is a replacement of a Murano, and a lexus RX before that. I bought it for the clean crisp look and wanted to try a domestic again. Wrong! After only 6500 miles, it has been in the shop four times. The satellite radio/nav went out, transmission has a noticable "clunk" when shifting at slow speeds between 5-8 mph, and a brake sensor went out. The dealer cant find or duplicate the tranny problem but I feel it everyday. Im getting rid of this car and am looking for a replacement with the Infinity FX or Acura MDX. Im done with the domestics if this is the best they can do.

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  Presidential Series - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By P. Hruz - June 22 - 3:56 am

  My car was priced around $53,000 when it was new in 1996; I bought it used with 20,500 miles on it. I paid $28,000 with financing for 4 years. I absolutely love my car!!! When I saw it on the lot, and then looked in side, it was love at first sight. Ive never regretted buying it. My Lincoln has 122,000 miles on it and I had planned to get another 200,000 more before buying a new one. Yesterday, my husband was backing it up to put it in the garage and backed into a tree. Although it dented the side a little, and scratched it A LOT, I would rather get it repaired than to go buy a new one. Needless to say, I dont feel I can ever replace it. Once youve driven a Linc. Town Car, no compareisons

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  A vehicle with class - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By Gary - June 21 - 10:50 pm

  Bought the car six years ago. It had 45,000 miles at that time. It now has 228,000 miles. I ran the vehicle to work 75 miles each way in snow country and it never let me down. Only thing I have had to replace is tires, and water pump. Other than that vehicle has run great. Check transmission light has come a few times but vehicle had over 200,000 prior to this issue. Great car, if I can find another one when this one stops I will buy another one just like it. I have driven Ford products for over forty years. I am an American and buy American cars, not Japanese cars built in America.