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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  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.

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  My Aviator runs like crap - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By STEVE - January 26 - 1:43 am

  I traded in a Mercury Mountaineer that was a very nice vehicle for this one. At ll,500 miles, it sits at a traffic light and shakes. Ive had it in a total for 3 times and been told each time that it was to "specs". Ive had plenty of cars... around 50 or so... and never had a $45,000 lincoln that sits at a light and shakes. My water bottle looks like a Tsunami. Im trying very hard to find a real mechanic as opposed to a technician to try and fix this car. Im going to sell it ASAP...as I can get it fixed. Any person driving this vehicle would ask whats wrong with it.... My 6th and LAST Lincoln/Mercury product and probably my last American Made Auto.Steve Crouch

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  I Miss My Town Car - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Rod Minnesota - January 25 - 9:46 am

  I recently traded my 1996 Signature as part of the cash for clunkers program. It was an outstanding car during my six years of ownership and I expect it would have lasted another 204,000 miles. Purchased used for $6,500, received $3,200 from another drivers insurance when they hit the car and received $4,500 in cash for clunkers program. I dont expect another car will have as low of cost of ownership and offer me the utility of this large car.

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  my continental - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By boxcartommie22 - January 24 - 5:53 pm

  this continental is a very exciting car to drive with alot of power, comfort, and a lot of accesories

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  In the shop again - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By ctaylor - January 24 - 2:10 am

  I bought my aviator less than a year ago and have had to take it in for repairs several times. The rear end went out at 1000 miles and it took a month to fix. Dealer said they are having problems with this on alot of others too. Then it was the transmission, stereo, and brakes. Good thing it has a great warranty. It is a nice car otherwise, but I would enjoy it alot more if it were more dependable.

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  I love my LS V8 Sport - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By tom12253 - January 23 - 8:36 am

  You cant get a more luxurious high performance car for anywhere near the price. I love to drive this car!

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  Blackwood turns heads - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By toolmansblackwood - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. I hate to put miles on this collectors piece but one can not help but drive it. It is fun. It brings A LOT of attention. I love peoples faces when they look over and see the LINCOLN name badge. Easily identified. Looks different than the Harley Davidson F-150 supercrew. It drives very smooth. I just wish the bed was deeper. I drove it 1 mile from the dealer and turned around and bought it.

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  Superior Value to BMW530 or BMW540 - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By ASteinb - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Its sad that so much is spent on BMW 5 series, when the top of the line LSV8 premium sport with navigation is such a better value. I shopped BMWs extensively. To match what I bought (leased) ased on $42K ($47K MSRP) would have required the high 50s for a similarly-equipped BMW.

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  Drives Great - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By BlackGator - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Pluses- Drives and Looks Great. Interior well laid out. Seats are very comfy. Minuses - Mileage is 12 MPG in mixed driving. For that poor of gas mileage Id expect better performace. More torque please. There is no replacement for displacement. Some of the interior fit and finish is cheap looking and feeling. And when are Lincoln dealers going to learn how to prep a vehicle? I think they used a garden hose and an old sock to wash it.

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  Smile big when they stare! - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By S Posey - January 18 - 8:03 pm

  I am 52 and have owned only GMC products in the past, so having a Lincoln / Ford product in my driveway says a lot for the MKS! I had driven every Cadillac, Toyota, Nissan and Buick known to man and this loaded beautiful Tuxedo Black Lincoln MKS won my heart. Such an awesome vehicle for the price. Fun to drive, a sports car and luxury car rolled into one. The leather seats are unbelievable,SYNC, bluetooth phone, THX stereo, adaptive headlights and cruise, front and rear assists,Media Libary to play all my favorite songs, name it... this car has every known wish list you could ever need! Did I mention 23 mpg at 1900 miles? And it will only get better. LOVE IT, LOVE IT !Join the FAMILY !