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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  Beware - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By 2005ls2 - July 12 - 7:33 am

  I purchased my 2005ls in 2006 with 20,000 miles on it. Now has 60,000. Nice body style but... Buyer beware! I have had a lot of trouble with this car and its in the shop again today. Always a problem with coils, the engine and other things. Reliability is very poor. I believe there should be recalls for these problems. Can any one help?

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  Needs to Improve - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By ubgoofy2003 - June 2 - 11:43 am

  I have owned Ford products before & this Lincoln has had more things go wrong with it than even a F-150 pickup that I owned previous to this. Too much plastic where strength is needed & the control center(information) is located in such a hidden place, it is almost impossible to read in daylight. The center armrest council is imposible to open, unless you use both hands, & turn your body towards it. It should lift from the side, where it can be done with one hand. For a LUXURY car, the grill is plastic & should not be. I believe a luxury car should be of more quality than this, not just added assesories. The only advantage of this car, over a Isuzu Rodeo, is size. Needs Quality !!!!!

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  Small, hard, fatiguing seats - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Paul C - May 3 - 7:46 pm

  Lincoln Continental Town Cars and Mercury Marquiss of the past offered large, soft, deeply foam padded from seats. But this new 2017 Continental has small, hard, economy car like front seats. So this is not a comfortable long trip car like the Town Car was. The push button gear shift is dangerous because the buttons are not clearly marked or color coded - I ended up pushing Park when I reached for reverse and vice versa and once I even pushed Park when I intended to select Drive. The ultra-wide 19" wheels with 45 series tires detract from ride comfort as compared to the previous Lincoln Town Car. Road and tire noise is well suppressed, but exhaust noise is prominent. At idle, engine vibration is transfered to the steering wheel - yet another economy car like characteristic of this car. Directional stability at highway speeds is only fairly good so the driver needs to maintain attention to keep the car in his lane - yes still another economy car like feature. After renting this car for two days, I had no desire to own one.

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  False Hope - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Diamond Edition - April 7 - 1:00 pm

  I have purchased (3) Lincoln Town Cars 1987, 1993 and the 2004 is the worse of the lot. The wind noise at the door on the driver side is terrible. The inside cabin is noisy and the seats are very un-comfortable. I would never thought in my wildest dreams, that Lincoln would put out such a disgrace. I am not getting any satisfaction from Ford Motor Co. The fuel cap light would stay on and the rear of the car needed adjusting. (Lowering)

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  nightmare experience with car and dealer - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By clp5285 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought car new in June of 2001. Has been in the shop 8 times. whining noise in engine,transmission slips, stalls, Engine revs, only likes to be driven in warm weather.Stereo has been replaced and the car paasenger side window fell into the door they let mechanic take my car home for the weekend I was called by the local police to be informed that the mechanic was out in my car at 9pm doing 60 in a 40 and that he had been drinking. When I got my car back on monday 457 miles had been put on it. Owner of dealership refused my phone calls. Another dealership finally stepped in and Ford has just agreed to take my car back on the lemon law.

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  Dont be scammed - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By volley6 - December 31 - 8:36 pm

  I bought my Lincoln a year and a half ago. In this time, I have replaced 3 going on 4 window motors (around $200 each), a new ball joint ($400), different valves ($200) along with scheduled maintenance. Although the mechanic said that it was Fords lack of grease that cost me $400, Ford refused to reimburse me. The best part is that my car had been "checked" for that EXACT recall prior to my purchase. A little to ironic for me. I have had nothing but problems with my car and would not recommend it to those without extra money to blow. This has made my first car buying experience a truly memorable one.

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  Not so Impressive - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Disappointed - August 4 - 11:53 am

  I have owned the MKZ for all of 45 days, to say the least, I was impressed with the outward appearance and the interior features for the price. After purchase, I noticed several items of poor workmanship. As a previous Honda, Infiniti and Lexus owner, you recognize quality. This car is not quality built, I am afraid if I pull or push on something too hard I might damage it. Ive had problems with the seal around the windows to the point objects have gotten down inside the seal and window and scratched the glass. This area also accumulates moisture and the windows are left dirty once you let them down after rain or car washing.

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  Most Unreliable Car I ever Owned - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Joe - June 20 - 7:13 am

  I regret the purchase. Lincoln does not stand for quality or luxury. Its just a Ford with a different emblem. Its eaten two batteries in less than 9 months. Ford & the dealer are not standing behind this flawed product. The thing is assembled in Mexico where Ford has quality control issues. The interior finishings are sub-par for a "luxury" car, but fine if it was Ford branded. The touted 1 year maintenance plan is actually a downgrade from a 3 year plan that use to be inclusive. The only good thing about the car is the smooth ride. But that is because it has a Jaguar suspension. But it also has Jaguar electrical systems which are chronically flawed, hence its taste for batteries.

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  problems - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jthib - June 20 - 2:00 am

  side impact airbag deployed just riding down the road, transmission failed at apx. 45,000mi, poor handling for its class. nice car but very overpriced and rides more like a sports car than a sedan

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  A beautiful piece of junk - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By flaflamingo - June 3 - 4:24 am

  This was the most beautiful car I have ever owed. However, after being in the shop just first year over 10 times, the problems just got worse. The first week I owned it, put the moon roof and it peeled the headliner back from the roof. Then the drivers seat broke, 3 of the 4 locking mechanisms were replaced (this continued after replacing), AC would not be consistently cold, lumbar blew out in passenger side (also in drivers side 50 miles out of warranty), garage door opener never worked, door numbers worked hit and miss, swipe of numbers wouldnt work. This went on up until the time I traded it. They would not declare a lemon; Lincoln refused to work with me