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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  Way to go Detroit - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Steve Yzerman - January 20 - 12:20 am

  Sleek lines and colors, comfortable and quality interior, ‘just right’ firm and quiet ride. For my city driving, the hybrid is perfect. Being born and raised in the Detroit metro area, now living [two decades] in our nation’s capital and I am very proud to show America still make exceptional automobiles.

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  Good Marks So Far - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By datagen - January 19 - 2:36 pm

  The car rides very smooth. Sometimes I think to smooth. Sometimes I have a hard time feeling the road. I guess I can chalk that up to driving less luxury vehicles. The differences from other vehicles just take time to get use to. The narrow rear window and high shoulders have made me adapt other processes that makes me safer on the road. The rear camera is a must, but do not depend on it totally. Always check the mirrors and all around the car. The power is there and smooth as well. No raising of the front portion of the vehicle. Its like it glides up to speed quickly. Sometimes I feel like that I am in a starship and am pulling away from those who are behind me. Fuel economy 18-21 city.

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  wdavis - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By daviswj - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Terrible gas mileage. Exterior temperatur gauge and compass do not work properly and cannot be corrected. Autmatic wipers do not always work with rain on the windshield. Same for the "seat that remembers".

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  New Navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Joshua Brown - January 14 - 10:00 am

  best full size suv i ever had

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  Why did I even look at an Escalade? - 2009 Lincoln Navigator
  By halfin1965 - January 12 - 10:56 am

  I was ready to purchase an Escalade, but poor treatment at the Cadillac dealer and GMACs games on the 0% financing caused me to look elsewhere. After Mercedes, Lexus and Audi, Lincoln was my last visit. (I was trading in a 2007 GX470 - nice car, too small) The Navigator is a little uglier in the front than the Escalade and does not have the "auto-start" feature the Cadillac has. Other than those two items the Lincoln is FAR superior. In addition the COOLED front seats eliminate the need for auto start here in HOT Texas. (They also let me have the two tone black insert leather seats -available on the Limited Edition with no concerns of "sweaty back" on hot days. Just a superior vehicle.

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  Pleased MKS Owner - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By GLS - January 12 - 5:26 am

  I have had my AWD MKS for 2500 miles now. I am extremely pleased with how the car rides and handles. I have done alot of in-city driving, highway driving and have gone over the mountains in a snowstorm. The car passes all my tests. V-6 is sufficient for any situation. If you want a little more sporting feel, use the select shift. The car chews up bumps and makes you feel like your sitting in your favorite leather chair in the den basking in peaceful solitude. If that is what your looking for then the MKS delivers. In City fuel avg 17.4 mpg.

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  Solid SUV - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By kraff - January 10 - 10:00 am

  With the birth of our first child six months ago, our Inifinit G35 (which we loved) just wasnt cutting it in space department. My wife has always loved sports cars and was aghast at the idea of a Mini Van, so it had to be an SUV with as she says "a lot of bells and whistles". We drove all of the imports and domestics and found this to be the best for the money. Virtually all other vehicles had much more of a truck ride (including the imports suprisingly) while the independent rear suspension of the Aviator really makes for a solid ride. I race cars for fun and if there was an SUV racing class, Id start with this vehicle.

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  LS - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By ajames - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely reliable, elegant vehicle.

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  UNHAPPY WITH 2004 AVIATOR - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By odalys - January 5 - 3:46 pm

  Ive had the car for almost 6 yrs. This is the 3rd time that the applique on the back of car has cracked. Also, my extended warranty just expired. Now car is at dealer with oil leak and thermostat problem. In the past had to have transmission repaired, the driving gear fixed. Air conditioner problems. Not happy right now. Third row is useless. Small space. Also when third row up, now trunk space. Have 3 kids so its a problem, because not roomy.

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  Nice interiors - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By apexawd - January 5 - 10:00 am

  It rides very nice and love the interior. Can use little more trunk space.