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:

• 

  You have to drive one to believe it!!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By TM1 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This is something that I recently picked up for my wife. We are expecting our first child shortly and I wanted to get her something that was safe, practical, elegant, rugged, and could perform. Needless to say, all of my avenues led me to my local Lincoln dealership in Clifton, NJ where I purchased the "Ultimate SUV". We love our Navigator. I would highly reccomend this car to anyone.

• 

  2003 2wd Ultimate Pkg Lincoln Nav - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By JC Cobra - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I call it a Continental on steroids. It rides and handles like a sedan, and has all the amenities too. Lots of bells and whistles make it fun to drive. The interior is very well appointed, and makes you forget you are in an SUV. It is obvious Lincoln made safety features a priority with audible object detection and tilt down exterior mirrors when reversing, standard side impact airbags, "smart" front impact air bags and advanced suspension systems. Power and gas milage are the only low marks I would give this SUV.

• 

  American Icon For Pennies - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By Springunner - November 25 - 6:46 pm

  $27,000 out the door with heated seats, sun roof and adj. pedals. Yes it looks like a Galant and a BMW at times. It is a steal and sure its not the greatest car on the road. However the Mercedes snobs best do a search on the Merc E350 and it is true that the Mercedes is the bomb when its not in the garage or on the side of the road. And who needs the $100 oil changes and the expense. The Lincoln takes care of you for the first 12mo/12K miles on maintenance. Yes I would like to have had more features on the inside- slightly wider seats in the front, better basic radio with less controls and a better dash layout. Sure Id like to have another 50 hp too. But Lincoln treats me like a star.

• 

  95 best year of all for town cars. - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By solarfolks - November 20 - 9:51 pm

  I own 3 Town Cars, a 95, 96 and 97. The 95 is by far the most responsive car to drive, great transmission response when accelerating, unlike the other two years that feel you may not really want to go fast and take their sweet time in down shifting. A further plus is the 95 runs on regular, the other two years really need high test to not ping. If you keep your foot out of it around town the mileage is really pretty good, and the 95 seems to be better than the other 2 years by about 1 MPG at 22. I have 260K mile on 96, 125K on the other 2. 96 is about shot, runs great, all the bells and whistles failing. Bad things - the window systems flat suck. the front end wears out after 100K miles.

• 

  Confused now... - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By Confused now.... - November 3 - 7:56 pm

  I have had the car for over a year and not in love with it yet. I am a fairly young driver for this type of car (34 when I bought it). I owned a Deville prior and am leaning towards another one. The air ride was better in the Cadillac, instrument panel had more options, seats were more comfortable, engine performance much, much better, and features that Lincoln doesnt even offer.

• 

  The Only Lincoln That Matters - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By ill drive - October 31 - 12:46 am

  I purchased the LS after having to put up with a company issued Taurus. I immediately got a feel for the road again. The LS is glued to the road. It felt secure on turns even high speed ones. I purchased the V6 so the pickup wasnt great, but it was respectable for a V6. I got it in Silver with Grey Leather. The wood trim really made the interior. I upgraded to larger wheels, which gave the exterior a sporty look. As far as maintenance, it was never a problem. I had it in for regular maintenance for the 40,000 miles I had it on the road.

• 

  aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Bob volosevich - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Love the suv. lousey on gas a little noisey, but this lincoln more than makes up for it.i would like to see a little more console storage. everone remarks what a sharp looking car"!

• 

  I expected nothing less from Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Michael - September 30 - 2:20 pm

  I really enjoy this vehicle and have had no major problem out of it. I only drive it on trips and the performance is outstanding. The gas mileage is great on the road but around town not the best. I want a Town Car, which will provide the room I want.

• 

  A nice car, not a great car - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Mudbone - September 30 - 6:06 am

  I purchased my LS 3 months ago "previously owned" with 24k miles. Its a nice car, but not a great car. The ride is firm (depending on the tires) and solid. Its big but doesnt feel big on the road. Exceptional ride on the highway - city driving is unremarkable. In the 3 months I have owned it, we have been in the shop 3 times - transmission, engine knock and noises from the steering column were the causes. You hear too many noises for a car that costs this much. I know I didnt pay sticker, but thats probally the reason the LS is going out of production - its way overpriced. I got mine for less than half of sticker after only 18 months of use.

• 

  great sport sedan - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jodyak - September 29 - 10:00 am

  I love the way this car handles. It is smalle enough to get into parking space easily but large enough to carry passengers with having the luxury of having a sports car feel. I love the way this vehicle handles curves and sticks to the road. Get for driving in the mountains or just down the highway. The interior doesnt leave a lot of leg room for taller people though.