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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  Editors must be Nutz! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By rl-candy - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Navvy on an 03. Felt like I got a good trade with the incentives etc. Have 3 kids. Boy has the Nav. matured into a high tech killer SUV! Doesnt surprise me that PDiddy likes it enough to put his name on them. The Escalade isnt even close in my opinion. As far as what matters in the real world, the Nav. has it. There are so many advancments, not just gadgetry but real useful innovative stuff! The 99 was very reliable and I hope this one will be too.

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  Great Car - Horrible paint job - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By LincolnTom - December 8 - 10:00 am

  Great car, horrible paint. I think the dealer ruined the clearcoat when they detailed the car at delivery. Car looked great until I washed it. It was full of swirl marks. Went back 3 times to be rewaxed. I finally did it myself w/Malms.

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  Wonderful Vehicle - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By LS Owner - December 7 - 2:00 am

  An overall wonderful car. And Lincoln treats their customers beautifully.

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  From an Escort to a Lincoln - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By G. Gill - December 6 - 7:46 am

  I drove a Ford Escort for 13yrs. to an from work, 60 miles a day. Loved the fuel economy, but not the ride or getting around in the snow. After 350,000 miles I found a 1996 Lincoln TC, with 102,000 miles on it for $4,000.00. WOW!...now I love driving to work! What a ride, with 21mpg! Built like a tank! Some mechanical issues...intake manifold[ Ford service bulletin]...lower contol arm/ball joint assembly broke in the middle of a J.C.Penney pkng. lot..that was fun! Wife has 1998 Lincoln TC, first year of the new body style and it aint built no where near as good as my 1996.Smaller interior, very high maintenance and ugly! Find an 1990s Lincoln in good shape you wont be sorry!

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  Ill never buy anything else - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By John - December 6 - 5:04 am

  I love my 08 MKZ. Heated seats are amazing. Sometimes they get a little to hot. I know what Ill be getting when its time for a new one.

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  FromZtoShiningZ - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By FromZ2ShiningZ - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I had a Zepher. Beside rear lights and front clip updates this isnt the same car. And, thats a good thing. The MKZ made a good car much better. Though the options list has many techie things that I just dont want to pay more for. Yes, the Lincoln MKZ is a blue collar luxury car, what Mercury should have been. But, my MKZ with heated/cooled seats, moonroof, chrome wheels, All- Wheel-Drive, Memory Seats, Dual Auto Air, real nice leather, and other stuff. SYNC by Microsoft (the best blue tooth, song, traffic and turn-by-turn Navigation device Ive ever used). Was only $10.00 more a month than a fully loaded Camry! And, better than the Mercedes 300 I surrendered. I recommend the MKZ.

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  Blind spots - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By zee holly - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Front head rests are too wide, blocks view. Back head rests blocked too much of the back window, therefore, we remove them when there are passengers in the back. Just too many blind spots. This is our 2nd LS (2001). I dont think we will buy another one.

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  Almost got it right - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Too Bad - December 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle unless you live in the cold North. The heater does not work right because the ducting is designed wrong. Chest freezes and legs roast. Dealer and Field Service engineers confirm the problem and say there is no fix. Factory supposed to be working on it, but no date on when it will be ready to offer fix to consumers. Blows cold air out side window defrosters after cabin warms up.

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  Engineering Reserch ( AFESC ) Services - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Raduazo A W. - December 3 - 2:00 am

  COMFORT! SIZE! QUIET! Can pull a 2500lbs Bass boat!!

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  Great highway cruiser !! - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Rib - December 3 - 2:00 am

  A great highway car - extremely comfortable. The handling is superb on the highway - but, a little sloppy on rough surfaced roads. The fuel economy is exceptional for a car of this size and weight. I am averaging about 25 - 26 MPG on the open highway ( where I do the bulk of my driving . I have owned six previous Lincoln Towncars - 1985, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1998 and a 2001 before the present Lincoln Towncar. These are great cars, I would definitely buy another Lincoln Towncar ! Highly reccommended.