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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  off the hook - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Lex-poe - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Great Great Great Suv. I didnt know the truck handled that well until i bought it. definitely attracts a lot of attention. luxurious, well built, very very reliable, powerful. i just wrecked mine, and im shopping for another already. i cant afford an escalade, which might be slightly better, so its Navi Navi all the way.

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  1995 Town Car Signature - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By bjfrier - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful trouble free car. We have 118000 miles on it and it still looks and drives like new.

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  Ok first we leased 2 of them both Reserves - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By Ken - August 7 - 12:14 am

  First a background on what was being replaced and current driven vehicles. 2015 CTS coupe (lease coming to an end), 640 BMW convert. (lease coming to an end) and a 328 4 door. My background on vehicles driven primarily in the last few years involves a H2 Hummer, and the above vehicles with daily drivers usually being a coupe. I started to test drive many new vehicles and was not set on a small SUV. I have recently had 2 Infiniti coupe leases a convertible and a plain coupe (loved both) Then I test drove the new "red sport" coupe with twin turbos can I just say WOW! Perfect car for me but they quotes were insane for a car in that class at just under 800 a month so it was off list. Drove the Porsche Macan S and can I say right here and now it was hands down one of the best cars I have ever driven. I have owned a Cayman S and a Ferrari recently (yep love cars) and the Macan S was as fun and tight as anything I could compare it to, it beat! However the reality check came when the lease quote was at 1150 Mo for a 74k car and it seemed of by a long shot since I paid the same on a 98k 640 convert (made no sense to me) So what the heck I drove the Infiniti SUVs and ended up in a Lincoln showroom after reading some reviews. Turns out my daughter was also thinking of what car to get next and she wanted a bit more room like a small SUV could provide. I do not want to drive a car without the latest safety and tech features since I really enjoy them. The MKC size seemed to be right for both of us and ended up ordering 2 of them both Reserves in white. Very pleased overall in vehicles. Quiet (not as quiet as many would have you believe) Nice look and features. Fast for a tiny 4 cyl turbo. BUT and a big but here, this was my first front wheel drive car for both of us other than rentals. Huge change when you step on the gas and have to hold the wheel when passing to keep control, it feels like driving a go cart. Love all the features on the car and still have not had been brave enough to test the self parking assist. Ok now the down side of this nice lil SUV. Both cars for us are getting HORRIBLE mileage (worse than my caddi and everything but my Hummer H2! I would have never ever got two of these if I knew the mileage numbers were going to be this bad! 17-19 combined driving for both vehicles! I was conservatively estimating 22 combined, nope, nada no way. The next very irritating thing to me is the rear and front bumper proximity alarms, they suck! You cannot adjust sensitivity and are basically useless since you have to be very close to get the beep. (cross traffic alert works great) Next irritating thing to me is the Apple car play, you really cannot use any apps you want ( I use only WAZE for navigation and it will not work on the car system. Next is the navigation, just plain difficult to set to make it easy to read and the worst out of any system I currently have or have had. Next the voice commands seem to have too many steps to get to where you want to be. Overall the vehicle is good, motor and transmission have been bullet proof and has many nice features but I was deeply disappointed in the MPG and irritated with the crash avoidance system (completely useless at low speeds)but will alert you at higher speeds (but not stop the car). Even though we are located in Miami I am glad I got the heated rear seats it is great when someone is use to it. All of the small features have been reviewed many times such as the hands free lift gate something you dont think about until your hands are full! My eldest daughter drives a Rover and saw that feature and now she wants a SUV with it (makes sense for moms with kids and all the accessories) For me when I get another vehicle I feel anything out there now should get over 20MPG and as I get older I felt it was going to be my benchmark and I would never buy a car that averaged under 20 (hopefully 24) MPG not as an economic issue buy more like supporting companies that are progressive and responsible and this is why I was very disappointed on the mileage issue. I do not see how you could go wrong with this vehicle when you compare vehicles based on quality and price.

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  great driving, but... - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ron - July 22 - 10:23 am

  I bought the car used, fantastic ride. I put in an aftermarket stereo system and used the JBL speakers that were stock. I really enjoy this car. The intake manifold may crack as mine did and will cost at least $250 to replace if you DIY. FORD knows about this problem and made a better replacement. (engineering brain cramp) The dealership wanted $1100+ for the fix - wow Other than a few minor problems, its a keeper. 97 is the last of the long land yaght body style but I think it is still more appealing than the newer models. The 97 also has a better front end (lights/grill) than older models. Mine is equipped with the digital dash - Nice!

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  Third LS 8 - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Arnholt - July 22 - 10:00 am

  This, as usual is a fine car, however, I think the system is off somewhere. When I turn the corner it jerks. It jerks quite often. None of our other cars have done this. It is not smooth on take-off (it acts like the old hydra- matic shift of the fifties Oldsmobile. I wonder if we have a lemon. No one really wants to believe me. I have loved the LS over any other car we have had. I have logged many, many miles since I was 15 and have driven almost all makes. I like the fact that when you hit the accelerator on the highway it immediately rises to the occasion. I am seventy (female) and do not drive like a woman.

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  Awesome Car!! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By weslowery - July 13 - 9:07 pm

  It is so comfortable and nice to ride in and drive. Its not your traditional town car thats for sure but rides just as good and gets looks from everyone. The heated and cooled seats are awesome and the sunroof almost makes it seem like its a convertible because its so big.

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  Very Nice Crossover - 2011 Lincoln MKT
  By npdan - June 28 - 3:56 am

  Never thought we would buy an MKT as we had our sights set on a GMC Acadia Denali. We loved the looks of the Acadia but we decided to test drive a new MKT and that ended our thoughts of the Acadia. The Lincoln won every comparison in performance, equipment, handling, quietness and quality of interior materials. Only complaint on the Lincoln MKT is its worthless 3rd row seat. Anyone over the height of 5 feet can not sit back there. It is worthless for anyone except small children. This is our first new Lincoln and we are extremely happy with this car. It is a delightful touring car with lots of luxuries. For us, it has been a perfect fit.

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  Awesome - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By CHRISTIE - June 28 - 3:33 am

  AS this being my first SUV purchace and may i say a forced purchace (I am a real sporty performance driven girl myself) As a new mother and needing more room I opted for the aviator for not only its looks inside and out, the roomiiness and luxury sold me ... not only that 3rd row seating.... The V8 still got out of its own way...unlike its suv look alikes ( which by the way had no more room than my A6 Audi in the back) still love it one year later, It is my new livingroom. Clee

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  I wanted to like it - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Bill Glass - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I turned in my 2001 for the 2004. I want my 2001 back. Ride is far superior to 2001, brakes are far superior to 2001 and stability is much improved, but. ......... there is too much wind noise, and the new transmission has very weird shift points, and you find yourself always up at 2200/2600 rpm until it finally upsifts. The navigation system is not what I expected. Plus you cannot alter your route or preferences once you pass 9 mph.The funny thing is that the two cup holders up front will not hold the travel mugs Lincoln give you, the handles collide. The new sound system is not as good as the 2001 where you could adjust acoustics

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  The most underrated car in its segment - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By andy1102 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I went with the LS V6 for price reasons, and my only dissapointment is that I couldnt get the 17" rims with the 6-cylinder. Ive driven previous models with the V6 and the improvements for 2003 are very evident. The throttle actuation is smooth and the power is sometimes surprising when accelerating from a stoplight. The engine gets a bit loud at higher RPMs, but is always smooth. The ride can feel a bit soft sometimes, but, never floaty, it always feels connected to the road. The suspension is well-damped and does a great job at dealing with bumps and imperfections. While its not a hard-core sports sedan, it always stays planted in the curves.