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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  Lincoln MKS - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By sean - May 1 - 4:13 pm

  I traded in an V8 LS for the MKS. At first I thought the V6 wasnt going to be quick enough, but after driving it I found it to be quite fast. The navigation is second to none and extremely easy to use. The handling is a little different then the LS but in a good way. Its a tad smoother and hugs corners just as well. The size of the interior is a big selling point for any family of four or a group of adults. The leg room and sits are near perfect. I plan to own this a very long time unless that Eco-boost engine is really something else. overall Im extremely pleased with my purchase. kudos ford/Lincoln.

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  A Great Ride! - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Mark McGee - April 29 - 10:03 pm

  The car has great performance, an excellent level of comfort with superb handling for a car of its size and weight.

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  baby boomer dream buggy needs more ... - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By wolf490730 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  vechical rides high and smooth .. a secure feeling

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  DREAM CAR - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By koolnavigator - April 28 - 2:00 am

  i traded in my 2002 cadillac escalade for this beauty. It has power, LUXURY,and space. so far ive had no problems and hope i dont get any,like my former escalade which had just way too many problems. handling is superb, body roll is at a minimum, acceleration is good, braking is good, and excellent towing capacity.

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  Super Comfortable - 2014 Lincoln Navigator
  By primodel - April 27 - 7:07 pm

  This my 3rd Navigator, 1998, 2003 and 2014. I am super pleased with the 2014 model. Comfort for me is priority #1. I tested several other models in the same price range and the Navigator came out on top. For a big unit like this it rides extremenly well. Gas cost at $3.40 a gallon represents a weekly cost of $11.00 in fuel vs 17mpg on any other vehicle. I am willing to pay the extra $11.00 a week for this SUV.

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  Better Than Any Town Car - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By JMARKV - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2000 Continental in April of this year. Considering this vehicle is more than a foot shorter than the Town Car I traded in and a few inches less in width, the trunk is huge! Gas milage is better. Parking is easier, and the performance is outstanding. Ive had several people stop me in parking lots to admire my car and ask me questions about it. Ive had no problems with my Continental whatsoever.

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  Best in Class - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By baffledu2 - April 23 - 4:40 am

  Great Looks, great safety equipment, to many toys to mention, drives like a dream with plenty of power, corners very well. and is the quietest vehicle Ive ever owned. Power lift gate and huge power roof are great ideas. The 2nd row seats fold with a button. No other make puts it together like this for the price.

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  Looked at Everything - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Josh Bradbury - April 22 - 7:13 pm

  Looked at the ML350, MDX, SRX, Q7 and the Edge. What sold me on the MKX was the Sync voice activation, the THX surround sound system and the vista moon roof (I got the 102A package.). I never would have thought that I would have bought a Lincoln at 34 (I think of my Dads old car) but this is definitely a new wave of Lincolns. I came out of a Land Rover LR3 with the Mark Kardon system and the THX sound in the MKX blows it away. Only improvements would be front parking sensors and not having to say "USB" to get to the ipod menu.

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  lincoln town car - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By thomas myers - April 14 - 8:23 pm

  i purchased this car new. the performance and economy for a car this size and weight, looks, craftmaship, quietness, comfort are all important to me. this car has been a delight to own and drive. i have noticed the ford dealership has striven to do everything possibe to keep me happy and they have.

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  This is the one! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Lincoln Man - April 13 - 6:00 am

  I had a 2006 Mountaineer Premier, and was not in the market. I on a whim drove the MKX and owned one days later. This is the coolest ride ever, fast, smooth, and this thing does everything but brush my teeth. well equipt. All I can say is take one for a ride you will be in heaven on wheels. I am 62" guy and have plenty of room, sound system is very nice, and the Nav.