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:

• 

  put your doubts behind, get the hybrid - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By bbq_pitmaster - May 21 - 8:19 pm

  If theres no difference in price why would you want the gas-eating V6? Our average fuel economy is 37.8 MPG and could be better, depending on how much youre pushed in traffic. You do not have to trade off on power, it just comes from another source. Its quiet and responsive; regenerative breaks are great, nice wood trim, more if you get the exec pkg (plus suede inserts); heated and cooled seats; blind spot system is also very helpful. Headroom is not as spacious because of the moonroof. Center console hits the arm just right, the ones on the door are too low, so you rest your arm on the window sill. Decent turning radius, adjustable LED dash display. THX sound is very nice.

• 

  Excellent - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Ray - May 21 - 5:33 pm

  When i first saw this vehicle i liked it right off the bat. The amazing exterior design of this SUV caught my eye in an instant. I drive this car every day and it never fails to impress me. The 302 horsepower really gives you power and makes you feel like you are driving a sports car. With this SUV you get the best of both worlds. You get the features of a luxury SUV and the features of a sports car with its amazing handling. Very good buy. I definitely recommend it.

• 

  A step up from my 530xi - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Hickabilly - May 21 - 5:05 am

  I did a month of research selecting a car to trade from my 2007 530xi. The 530 was a nice car of its time but the maintenance was an absolute wallet breaker. I had not even considered a Lincoln and was down to a fully loaded Fusion Hybrid, Lexus Hybrid, or GM. I test drove them all and really liked the layout of the Fusion. I negotiated price on the Fusion online and would have had one except the sales person at the closest dealer ruined the experience. So, I took the 530 to Carmax and stumbled on the Lincoln. Holy cow, I didnt even stumble on a Lincoln Hybrid when researching so I went back to the internet and started reading the reviews. Most were good. One fellow had rented a MKZ and had nothing but bad to say. So, I almost passed on Lincoln. But I am glad I didnt. The ride of the MKZ is better than the 530, the interior is really sharp, the road noise is minimal, and it has more power than a Prius that I test drove. Not much power by comparison to the 530, but more than enough for a stylish commuter car. The price for the decked out MKZ was about $6k more than a fully decked out Titanium Fusion. But that $6k really makes a difference. Comparing the cars, the MKZ is a Fusion with a different console layout, heated rear seats, and different audio system. But the additional Lincoln drive train warranty, extended hybrid warranty and 3 years of bumper-to-bumper maintenance really make that $6k seem like a big win. The Fusion seemed more like fitting into a space with the car wrapped around you. It felt a little cramped. The MKZs layout with the low center console that doesnt have a shift lever makes the car feel larger and roomier. The touch controls for the console are also a very nice difference. I was comparing a decked out Fusion Titanium Hybrid with the MKZ so the differences were small otherwise. On the road, it is a bit of a turnaround in mental processes to realize I get better mileage in my commute to work than I get on the interstate. I get why, technically, but it reverses my way of driving. I wont fall into that trap of trying to maximize mileage at the detriment of all of the other drivers around me. When there is no-one on the road, I let the car advise me on maximizing efficiency. But when in traffic, I drive it like my truck. The MKZ has plenty of power for getting off the starting line and keeping up with traffic. Handling is tight and it hugs the road. The various settings for the comfort of the ride are nice but I spend most of my time in the sport mode which still feels softer than the 530 and yet hugs the curves and corners exceptionally well. I never drove the 530 in a way that took advantage of its handling so my point of comparison is limited. With the way I drive, the MKZ is as good as the 530. And, by the way, the comfort mode is soft and has that floating feeling like a larger car. I am 61" and I have a few inches of headroom. I didnt get the crazy Lincoln retracting roof as I didnt like the look of it. I almost never opened the moon roof on the 530 (mainly because of the wind noise) so I sought out one with just a moon roof instead of that panoramic thing. And I must say... the MKZ is far quieter when the cover to the moon roof is open. The 530 had sound insulation on the moon roof because even when closed it was like sticking your ear to the window of a jet airplane. But the MKZ is pretty much silent even when the sliding cover is open. I have had the car for a month. The only negative that I have identified is that it has a pull to the left when accelerating. But otherwise, I consider this purchase a big step up from the 2007 530xi for a lot less in initial cost and ongoing maintenance. I read the reviews indicating that the Fusions computer reported gas mileage is different than real-world experience. But so far, measured by the mile and measured gallons used to fill it, the computer reported mileage is spot on with what I calculate.

• 

  great suv - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ultimate - May 20 - 7:23 am

  my 98 was nice but this one is great! i tow 6000 lbs. and it handles the task without complaining. sold my 98 with 173k miles with only regular service, alternator, air ride compressor and a coil pak. i call that not bad.

• 

  This MKS is Fantastic - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Fantastic Car - May 18 - 10:53 pm

  This car is a pleasure to drive and have to disagree completly with the "experts". The ride is firm and comfortable, not like a tank like my brothers BMW. Options are endless and receive compliments on the looks and styling everyday. Except the fact that a american company has got it right on this one.

• 

  Feeling like a millionaire on wheels - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By Peter Zuidema - May 12 - 10:40 am

  I had never so much trust in second hand cars after some negative experiences. But since I bought this Continental that has changed. The car feels very solid, safe and is very luxurious. Even for a car now almost 7 years old, this feels as a brand new, up to date car with all the toys of todays favorites. It is very powerful, has great brakes and handles good in bad weather. It is spacious and lets you feel that you are in control. It runs 23 miles on the gallon on the parkway at 80 miles an hour, with a 4.7 liter motor. And the audio quality is downright perfect.

• 

  So - so - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Mike L - May 11 - 8:50 pm

  We have had our Towncar for 3 years and it will be my retirement car. My wife and I really like the car with a few exceptions. We feel a lux. car like the Lincoln should have a softer leather. Ours has very hard leather which makes it somewhat uncomfortable on trips, slippery, stiff, etc.. My biggest objection with the car is the mushy ride and the way the car floats on corners. I had a Thunderbird before with 258K miles and I loved the handling package, made you feel like you had control of the car, not vice versa. I have a pickup that I drive 35000 mile a year and I feel safer with the handling than the Lincoln. Also had a bunch of intermittent electrical issues. But, still love the car.

• 

  2011 Lincoln MKZ - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By jbradsh1 - May 11 - 6:54 am

  I test drove the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan and then drove the MKZ. What a difference! The Lincoln has a larger 3.5 L V-6 so it has more power. It is VERY QUIET unlike the Ford and Mercury. Its steering is perfectly smooth and doesnt want to jump back to straight and level after a turn. All the controls are Lincoln smooth so its a real pleasure to drive this car. I drove the hybrid MKZ but its ride was much firmer, too firm actually, it was a deal breaker for me. My MKZ was the base model which is so well equipped I didnt need any other options at all. The Lincoln dealer gave me $4K off the sticker price so at $31.5K its a real bargain in my opinion. I love it.

• 

  04 Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By heyjewel - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought it just before Xmas. Whole family LOVES it. Put 1400 miles on first week. A dream to drive, and mileage was 15.4 Ill take that knowing itll get better after break-in. Plenty powerful and tranny is real smooth.

• 

  Never Never Never Never again - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Horrible Vehicle - May 11 - 12:36 am

  This car has been nothing but problems. After owning the vehicle for two years the transmission had to be replaced. When the third time repair did not fix the original problem. I have had electrical problems from day one but no one can seem to figure out why. The auto-window doesnt work, the side view mirrors would change positions, the passenger seat heater does not work, the sound system takes about a minute to come on after the car is started. The steering wheel shimmies when braking, and there is a long whining sound when you start the vehicle in cold weather (which they cant seem to figure out why). This vehicle is the most expensive I have owned and yet the worst purchase made.