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:

• 

  So far so good, this car is stunning - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Shay Gipson - October 24 - 3:26 am

  What a fantastic vehicle, for the price too. Unbelievable. Love the car, my salesman is Orson Van Gay at Galpin Lincoln...definitely great person to go to if you are in the market for this car. I love this car.

• 

  NOT a reliable or quality vehicle - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By BrettCFA - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I loved the look of this car and I have also found it to drive very well. HOWEVER, the problems that I have had are unbelievable. Leaking headlights, trim parts consistently falling off, rear windows failing, water in driverside door, driver seat heater didnt work, windshield wiper literally flew off first time used, heater went out twice, oil leaking from valve covers, etc... Simply not reliable. I was promised a vehicle when mine was serviced, but always got an argument from dealer.

• 

  NIce truck - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By mnmjski - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 01 Toyota Sequoia for the Lincoln Navigator 03. To be honest, the Sequoia was smoother, quieter and had better acceleration. The Navigater does has a lot more "bells and whistles" and looks much more luxurious inside and out, but I sometimes wish I had the Toyota back.

• 

  Lincoln LS-The Lap of Luxury - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By ThadRN - October 20 - 6:50 pm

  The 2006 Lincoln LS is the ultimate luxury automobile.It hugs the road as it cruises along its path. Comfort is realized in every mile that I drive, being underscored by the wood trim, satin nickel accents, outstanding entertainment center, voice recognition navigation system, and smooth ride. I truly enjoy every minute that I am in my car; the price and options are value driven. The auto industry has lost a competent vehicle upon the demise of the Lincoln LS.

• 

  Lincoln Navigator Rocks! - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Fast Eddie - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Excellent handling, unsurpassed comfort!

• 

  value for money - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Gerry - October 20 - 2:43 am

  This SUV packs a lot of value for money and and cost thousands less than the imports. It has all the TOYS the imports dont have. Why buy offshore when domestic quality is equal or better.

• 

  Depreciation - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Juleon - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this LSE, of course you cant find the LSE in the books. LSE has round fog lights, Aerodinamics around the car, 17 inch chrome wheels and chrome tail pipes. Very slick, but depreciates to fast that you do not want to buy another. The front light cover fogs when it rains not good for a for $44,000 vehicle. Also the depreciation on this vehicle is very bad two years later is only worth $16,000, so bad, so bad.

• 

  Buy it used, get it for 1/2 the money! - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By flwindowman - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this creampuff two weeks ago. I cant believe I am going to be paying $500/mo for 5 years for a used vehicle, but compared to the lease on a new one, which would be even higher and leave me with zero equity, this seemed like the way to go. Most people who I know have assumed our Nav is brand new. On the first fill I seem to have gotten about 17 MPG - doesnt seem realistic given other reviews on here. Next fill will tell all. 15 MPG would be OK in my book. The truck seems to run just fine on reg. gas - with these prices thats a big deal. The acid test will come next month when we finally move from NJ to FL.

• 

  just got it!!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By glen&deb - October 17 - 10:00 am

  We traded in an 02 Eddie Bauer Expedition and we couldnt be happier.We looked at the Escalade ESV but overall the Navigator has a LOT more features and cost less also. The interior is definitely the best looking on the market right now. The overall ride (fit and feel) is well worth the price.

• 

  Still Going Strong! - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By bigB - October 9 - 10:00 pm

  I bought this car when it was ten years old and had 86000 miles on it. I must say I wasnt looking for a Lincoln, but it was sitting next to the car I was looking at, and after checking it out on Edmunds, went back to test drive it. Wow, what a car! 21 mpg in town, and 25 on hwy! Had to have the rear air suspension R&R and went with a retro fit set of springs which the local ford dealer installed after I purchased them online. One of the best cars Ive owned.