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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  Whispered Elegance - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Mariella Lohman - April 10 - 8:40 am

  This quiet, elegant, classy car speaks volumes, without saying a word. When I first came upon it without even looking, I felt a "connection". Ive owned the 5-speed flashy cars, the red cars, too many white cars and big SUVs -- (not conducive to wearing skirts!) It was time for me to show some style and Ive done that in my brand new classic black, oyster leather interior, Lincoln Zephyr. I brought it home and just stared at it for 2 days and then I took it out on a Saturday night by myself and drove through town playing "Enya" on my fabulous stereo very loud. Then I clicked over to CD #3 and "Start Me Up", classic Stones. My genre, my style. Thats me pulling up in whispered elegance...

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  Luvin my new 01 LS - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Paulie_G - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Just bought my used 2001 LS last week. Im still in awe about this vehicle. I got a V6, maybe slightly underpowered but I dont mind it. The ride is smooth, seats are very comfortable like riding around in a plush lazy boy. Mine has the Alpine CD-6 indash changer w/the audiophile speaker system....ROCKS!

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  I love this car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By firsttimebuyer - April 8 - 8:46 pm

  I have had the car for just over two months. The car is comfortable and the ride is excellent. I think the interior was particularly well done. My car is Merlot with a Sand interior, and it looks really sharp. I have caught a number of people on the road speeding up to get a closer look.

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  Really big upgrade from my 2008 Navigator - 2015 Lincoln Navigator
  By Troyd75826 - April 8 - 9:57 am

  Great for family with 3 young kids who cant stand idea of minivan. Nice updates from previous generation. This is a far more comfortable vehicle.

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  Best Car we have owned, hands down! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Mick - March 30 - 1:47 pm

  Not the best on mileage with the AWD but it handles great. Ours was very reliable with no problems that were major. We just bought a 2016 MKX and other than the Front "Wings" styling, we Love it!

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  Zephyr is Great. - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Randy - March 30 - 12:26 am

  Zephyr is a great car. It has surpassed my expectations. It is better than Lexus, BMW or Mercedes Benz.

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  This is the best truck Ive ever driven - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Antonio - March 25 - 2:30 am

  This truck is a nice truck that is designed for the people who earn it. This truck is far the best looking truck and the most comfortable truck alive

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  MKZ Hybrid 2013, review, Edmunds is off the mark - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By dreamless - March 25 - 2:19 am

  When reading reviews, make sure the person has actually driven the car, and the competition. I test drove this car as well as the Lexus ES 300h, Mercedes C class 300 4 matic, Mercedes E class 350, Audi a6, and the BMW 3 series. Most of the professional reviews seem to be written by [non-permissible content removed]. After test driving them all by far the best overall was the Lincoln MKZ (hybrid). It was as comfortable as the Lexus ES350, It has more tech then any in its class or above it (deserves a 5 in that category), The Merc C class looks like a childs toy and feels like one comparitively. And it has the highest gov safety rating, stops sooner then EVERY CAR in its class, also should be 5.

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  best suv/crossover I could find - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By tx1949 - March 25 - 12:03 am

  I looked at a lot of SUV and crossovers and I liked the MKX best. The combo of style, performance, and features made it easy to "buy American." I like how it drives; more of a sedan feel rather than a truck- like drive. Cooled seats in Texas set it apart from all the others. I really like the Ipod hookup, satellite radio, nav system, and hands free phone functions. And they are all integrated & work perfectly. I averaged 19 mpg for the 36k miles I had it; and the 6 cyl had plenty of zip. Only negative is that the battery died after 2 years but the quick response I got from the dealer made up for even that one negative. I am spoiled and will not go back to a lesser vehicle.

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  My New MKX - 2009 Lincoln MKX
  By James M - March 24 - 2:03 am

  I picked up my MKX leased vehicle on 3/20 with AWD and the luxury and technology is amazing. I had an SEL Edge for the prior two years, and liked it, but this is a whole other level.