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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  Lots for Less - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By TW - February 4 - 4:33 pm

  Car offers just about every option in the book for a reasonable price. The SYNC system is outstanding and provides the bluetooth capability some reviewers were asking for. On the other hand there are a lot of things that say Ford/Mercury and not Lincoln. The floor mats define cheap. The seats are not comfortable for long periods. The center console is too far rearward to rest elbow when driving. Transmission sometimes gives very sudden/harsh down shifts. And worst of all, there is a very annoying powertrain vibration/resonance at 2000 rpm that produces both an audible noise and tactile feel in steering wheel/gas pedal.

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  gsm - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By bob flynn - February 4 - 10:00 am

  the drive is great.

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  Very Comfortable Ride - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By usanow - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car from a family member because she wanted something smaller. I was really hesitant because the car seems geared towards grandparents and limo drivers, but I couldnt beat the price. But I really enjoy the ride, the comfort, and the surprising acceleration. The car has a very distinctive exterior, and the interior is functional. As a coach, the trunk is awesome. Easily holds golf clubs, baseball gear and then some. The only problems over the life of the car have been electrical...the turn signal and one power window. Other than that no troubles.

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  DR REVIEW - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By DR234 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  GOOD LOOKS GREAT INTERIOR LACKS POWER TAILGATE AND POWER TILT ON SEATS AND DIMMING REAR MIRROR ANTI ROLL SHOULD BE STANDARD FOR ITS PRICE RANGE

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  This is great - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Harold Bussing - January 26 - 12:43 pm

  So far this has been a great car. I have not had to return to the dealer for single problem. The fit and finish are excelent. It has most of the bells and whistles too.

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  Lincoln ls v8 - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By eazylee1 - January 26 - 8:58 am

  so i was 9 years old when I first noticed this car ever since then i loved it the look of it the interior everything! fast forward some years and i was 16 looking for my first car i wanted something with v8 speed,wood grain,and nice black leather so thats what i got i bought a 02 ls v8 from a lawyer in ATL with 107xxx and drove it back to Florida where i lived. on the way home a coil went out causing it to misfire a little which was a eazy cheap repair but it was caused by the gasket letting oil into the coils causing them to foul out after that it was all good untill i hit 139xxx ...engine threw a rod and now im out of a car with no resale value

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  Good looking, nasty repairs - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By amy - January 26 - 6:36 am

  Too many things going wrong with it. Three window regulators replaced at 350 a piece, had to put ceramic brake pads because of the brake dust, rear tail light leaking water in it, both catalytic converters, driver side window fell while driving on the highway. Air bag light stuck on. Love the syle though, just not dependable. Drives in the snow terrible. I get stuck every year in my driveway and slide all over the roads. Do not recommend to first time drivers. No space in the back seats.

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  BEAST - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By romebm - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I have taken this vehicle off road too, I love it.

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  navigator - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By bddfc2 - January 26 - 2:00 am

  this is the most trouble free vehicle i have ever owned. in 3 years the only warranty work was a failed micro-chip in the horn alarm sound (it still worked, just the sound volume was too low)

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  200,000 Miles and still flying - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By DMan - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Besides the intake manifold breaking and costing around $300 to replace, this car is extremely reliable and never gives me any problems. Dispite approaching 200,000 miles, the car still starts, idles and races like a new car. Just the other day i took out a hooked up RX-7. The BEST this i ever did for this car was put a set of Michelin LTX (light truck) tires, simillar to (Navigator tires) along with a set of 2002 Lincoln Town Car Brakes system (larger brake discs). The car feels as though it has traction control. Nearly impossible to make it slide, even in the rain. It has much less sway, way more traction, and a very smooth ride.