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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  Great Gator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Wizards24 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle for the soccer mom or the career person. It has great versatility and can be used for that special date or just the kids.

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  a worthy successor to the old mark serie - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By themacguy - November 8 - 3:00 am

  Purchased this one for about $12k off list at end of model year. Used 90% local and 10% highway driving, so the miles are only around 10k per year or so. Very good value for the money, even taking into account the depreciation factor since we got it so cheap. Black with a light camel interior shows no wear even after 5 years in the. W. Tx. Sun, and thats saying something since its never spent a day under cover. Lincoln should have taken the rear doors out and kept this as a 2 door mark. big mistake as the fwd that replaced it is just a corporate car... My familys had lincolns since the 60s, but Lincoln is clearly in trouble now. Very sad.

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  Merry MKTmas - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By Ozzie - November 4 - 7:03 pm

  I just drove this home from Disney with the family loaded to the gills with suitcases. I traded in a 2008 Mazda CX-9. My family found it comfy and very quiet. This is the most solid feeling American vehicle I have ever purchased. For its size and heft the handling is excellent. Seats are spectacular and firmer than the mushy Flex. My girls are 64-65 inches tall and their heads dont hit the roof in the the 3rd row seats. Those large of torso will not do well in back. I was planning on getting a Flex, but after driving this I thought it was worth the difference. We own a Benz R320 and this feels the same if not better. We got 21 MPG highway which is good for size and load. Love the look.

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  navi - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By nick schumacher - November 3 - 10:00 am

  the nav has the smoothest ride of all the suvs ive been in

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  Great Car Bought Used - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Ron - November 1 - 11:56 am

  This is my third Lincoln. I purchased 1994, 1997 and 2004, all used. Great investment. The 2004 Ultimate is the best I have had. it had low miles 25k when I bought it. So far I cant stay out of it. Its just too much fun to drive. Im retired (69) and plan on making several long trips. I get compliments from all my friends how nice the vehicle looks, rides and its economy. Hope to live long enough to buy another. I rate it as a ten!

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  One of the Best Cars to Own - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By amdo - October 31 - 6:08 pm

  Ive owned this car for 4 years, I bought it with 121k miles and now it has 165k. It has been the most reliable car I could ask for, I got rear ended and it got totaled but since the damage was almost un-noticeable I did the buy back and I still drive it. I buy crap cars to try and keep wear off of the car. Where all my other cars have failed this has been there to catch me and hold me as my only car as well as backup. I hardly ever have to maintain it, I had to change a ball joint once and just change the oil. One of the best cars ever made.

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  One of the best sedans owned - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Eric Stevens - October 25 - 7:50 am

  We were looking at a explorer and saw the ls on the lot. My wife fell in love with its styling. After the test drive we were sold. For the money I feel you couldnt ask for a nicer sport sedan. It has always turned heads with its looks and acceleration. Fuel mileage is what I expected for a car this size and weight. Its heavy but handling is great. Why does Ford always change what works for them? Weve put almost 40,000 on it and the extended warranty would be worth it. Had an issue with the steering column squeaking, and the back panel of the front seat falling off. Both covered no problem under warranty, but I had non- critical issues with all new cars Ive purchased. Bring it back.

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  A real value in a sports sedan - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By aegw04t - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Great combination of sport and comfort. Much more room inside than a BMW 530 with similar performance at $15000 less money.

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  great alternative to Taurus - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By km - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought it at half price (got to love that depreciation.) Very comfortable and I absolutely love the exterior design. It has great acceleration with the V8, and youre doing 80 before you know it. I get about 24 mpg on the highway, about 20 in the city. Auto-dimming rearview mirror had to be repaired at 54000. Wrecked it shortly thereafter, both airbags deployed and worked fine. Dashboard designed to deploy airbags without self-destructing, which would have totaled it out. Replaced steering pump 1 yr later (under ext. warranty) but this may have been damaged in the wreck. I love this car, even though Im 32, and will buy another Lincoln, but will get a good 3rd party ext. warranty.

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  Cant use chains or cables for snow - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By B Noble - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is great to drive - except you cannot use cables or chains under snow conditions over passes in Sierras. The controls for the car hang down within 1 " of the top of the front tires. Cables and/or chains could damage control mechanisms of car. Otherwise, gas economy is about 40 mpg on freeway and 39 in town. Seats comfortable. Dual climate controls outstanding.