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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  Love My LS - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Chris C. - June 7 - 7:00 am

  We were looking for a Mustang, but deciding it was not right for our family, we found our 2005 LS sitting on the lot. It was owned by a Ford executive and was originally registered to Ford. The car has all the power I could want with the comfort my wife loves. We got a great deal on the car with full warranty. After owning foreign cars for the past several years, I am really hooked on the good old American cars again. If I were to buy a new car, it would most likely be the LS replacement, the Lincoln MKS. Only major problem with the car is the reverse warning stopped working. Took it to dealer and the sensor unit was replaced under warranty and in 1 day.

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  My Lincoln MKZ - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By john baverstock - June 6 - 3:44 pm

  This model is very reliable and rides smoothly and has very little road noise, The only visits I have had to the repair shop has been for regular service.

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  AWESOME - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By AWSOME - June 6 - 1:33 am

  My parents bought me this car for my 16th B-day and so far it is the best car i have ever driven. fuel economy is great, and there is a ton of power in the v6. Best car ever!

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  best car ever!!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By bob587 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car i have ever owned! it is sooo luxurious and has so much space. the braking and handling are so good and feels very carlike. Acceleration is also excellent because i can get maximum torque at very low rpm.The transmission is also very impressive. Shifts are buttery smooth and i cant even detect them. The leather also feels like very high quality. The plastics in the car are also very soft. The stereo is also excellent.

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  Best i ever drove - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By babetty - May 27 - 12:06 pm

  handles great, great ride, powerful and comfortable.

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  Lincolns Luxury - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Rick - May 23 - 7:50 pm

  I researched and test drove the Acura MDX, RDX, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and the Lincoln MKX. I was planning on purchasing the Lexus 350 and/or the Honda Pilot but absolutely hated the newly designed appearance of both. I read reviews on Edmunds for the past 6 months and was somewhat concerned about purchasing the Lincoln MKX which was rated slightly less than the Toyota Highlander. We have had a Toyota Avalon and a Honda Crosstour prior to the new purchase and was leaning towards them again, but I have to say, that so far, I am in love with the Lincoln MKX for all of the above rated reasons. I previously owned a Lincoln Continental and was impressed with the vehicles overall functions, comfort and safety, so I felt that I had some history with the Lincoln product. I have owned the vehicle for two weeks so far and drove it home from Chicago (345 miles) being the second closet dealership to have the vehicle that I wanted. I ended up with the luxury package and am glad that I took the upgrades. This vehicle has everything that a driver wants and the handling and comfort is fantastic. I would highly recommend that a person takes a second look at this vehicle prior to purchasing anything else. It is a head turner for sure. By the way, I almost didnt buy the vehicle because I dont like the commercials with a certain actor.......

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  Great Car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Rudy - May 21 - 9:13 pm

  I have just purchased this car and drove it home to the Florida Keys. Wow this is a great car and what a great value for all this is included. Mine was fully loaded with sun roof and navigational system.

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  To improve newer Models - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By A.J.Oakley - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought it mostly for appearance..a real upfront car..didnt look like the "other" cars..sharp.but inexpensive to drive..comfortable..a real AMERICAN car..has been reliable..feel good driving it..newer models dont have the striking look of the older Lincolns ..the "look at me"....youve lost it fellas..dont copy! and if it isnt "broke dont fix it".appealing to the Yuppies isnt what a Lincoln Town Car was all about...its for "The Establishment" we earned it and wanted it..and you have taken the elegance away

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  Quality car for the money - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By KJN - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I drive about 20,000 miles a year and need a dependable car that looks good. The town car does the job for a lot less money than most of its competition. Only 1 minor problem over the last 5 1/2 years. Just get in and go in style and grace. Ill keep it until 150- 200,000 miles .

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  great truck - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By joe kelly - May 17 - 10:00 am

  love it not great on gas but all else is nice