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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  L Is for Lemon not Lincoln - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By James - January 18 - 12:30 am

  I bought this car brand new, ive had too many problems with it. Let me start with the small things, I needed new weather stripping on all my Windows about 500 miles in, then I started to hear howling noises from the car, ive had 2 new fuel pumps and its still howling, a light nudge actually made the tansmission shifter knob break off, door panels look loose, and it Burns oil too quickly, I filed a lemon law suit in March and bought a new Cadillac cts in April, so far so good with that.

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  New Navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By mzangari - January 16 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my new 2003 Navigator...I love this truck, from the great exterior design to all of the amenities on the inside, this thing is top notch....I went all out and got the ultimate with all available options (navigation, dvd entertainment, chrome wheels, etc...). I was also pleasantly surprised with the navigation system, it is different than what is shown in the published book and much easier to use, all touch screen, no silly knobs to deal with. I really love this truck.

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  Impressed - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By MKZ Driver - January 16 - 8:36 am

  What a great car. Im up to 1300 miles now, and I have to say, this is really much better than any other car Ive driven, let alone owned. I test drove several CTSs, but this car blows them away with its smoothness, quiet, comfort, and power. I really dont understand why this car isnt better recognized.

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  American car makers need to take some tips from European Car Makers - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By beverlyc1 - January 15 - 5:02 pm

  Well I am SAD to say that I traded off my older 745I for a 2012 Lincoln MKX. The gas mileage sucks! and if you set the climate control on "auto" then you will get A/C even if its 30 degrees outside unless you turn the temps up past 73! Then if you get too warm and try to turn the temp down...watch out A/C comes on again! Think I am getting about 12 miles per gallon and I bought the fanciest one they had with 102 A package but no AWD! So sorry I bought this car and they may get it back! Have had it for 3 weeks and wish now I had bought another BMW! It might cost me more but WOW what a difference. Been waiting 3 weeks for matt in back of SUV, mine had hole, still not fixed!

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  A Lincoln For All To Enjoy - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By One Happy Owner - January 13 - 12:23 am

  This is a very fun car to drive. The AWD system really helps out when taking corners or taking off the line. The dashboard is nice a bright at night and the controls are easy to use. The 6 speed shifts very smoothly and never misses a beat. I really love the 600 watt THXII sound system. Every tone is nice and clear. The seats are more than comfortable for long trips. The sync system is simply flawless. The heated and cooled seats are one of the best features on this car. The engine has a hard time getting going off the line but the power really kicks in fast. So far Im getting about 18 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the freeway at 80mph. This car really holds its own and you would enjoy it.

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  2nd American Car in 38 Years - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By Bob H - January 11 - 11:56 pm

  After 35 years of buying Mercedes, BMWs, Jags etc, I wanted to buy American in 07. My thoughts of the 07 mkz after 3 yrs: /no service problems whatsoever as compared to multiple problems with above mentioned cars /euro cars needed tires after 23-25k miles. got 45k+ in MKZ /no ugly, hard to clean BRAKE DUST on wheels /REGULAR gas! /ride not as smooth as cars mentioned /seats not as comfortable /not as much fun to drive NOW, my initial thoughts on the 2010: /seats more comfortable /piping around seats have TOO MUCH CONTRAST and detract from look, except for gray leather where piping almost matches /smoother ride & more fun to drive /much closer to euro cars above! /SAVED $

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  Good for the money - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By dailydriver - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Smooth and quiet ride and the air suspension was amazing.Soft & lofty in the streets; firm and sporty on the highway.I was driving over 100mph and it did not feel like it.I own a 97 Deville concours now and I wish I had kept the town car. The age old debate of caddy vs. lincoln -I go with lincoln, which explains their slightly higher resale value. They put too much techno-wizzardry in the caddy without enough road testing causing too many expensive repairs. Lincoln is a more reliable car which is why so many transportation companies choose them.

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  Not bad so far - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By new lincoln owner - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Love the interior space! It was between the Navigator and the Escalade, and the Escalade 3rd row is cramp compare to the Navigator. Engine is smooth, seatings are comfortable (for all three rows), sound system is excellent, handling is above average for such a heavy vehical, price is great for a luxury suv. Dont know about reliability yet, but well see...I would buy a lincoln again if this one is reliable for at least 100K.

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  comfort - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Glen Bartlett - January 9 - 2:43 pm

  the interior allows for the back seating to be as comfortable as the front. plenty of power.looks very stylish. very solidly built

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  American Luxury - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By nat - January 8 - 10:00 am

  We traded our beloved Ford Fusion for something bigger and more luxurious. We are very pleased with our choice. The MKX is large enough to haul our family and our things, but it is not difficult to drive around town. The handling in inclement weather is great. We had our MKX for a few weeks before a blizzard struck. It handled the snow and ice without any problems.