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:

• 

  Comfortable and Roomy. - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By azt1 - June 17 - 1:27 pm

  Ive had my Navigator for a few months now. I was leasing a 2008 GMC Yukon Denali before I decided to buy. I originally bought a 2007 Cadillac Escalade but took it back because it was too much like the Denali. The Escalade does handle better and has more power than the Nav but I do like the Navs interior a bit better. Love the 3rd row seat and the power fold feature. Denali and Escalade 3rd row was terrible. Also like that the Nav can switch from 2W to 4W drive. Denali and Escalade was AWD. Nav takes Regular Fuel while Denali and Escalade took Premium Fuel. Overall I am satisfied with the Nav though there is room to improve on it to better compete with other luxury brands.

• 

  Lincoln LS-C V-8 Sport - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By TheHouse - June 15 - 1:13 am

  Absolutely wonderful to drive. Smooth shifting and marvelous feel on the road. Acceleration is great on the powerful V-8. Comfortable firm seats. A beauty to look at on road.

• 

  Lovin it - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ron - June 12 - 10:10 am

  Anyone who needs the room or convenience of such a large vehicle will not lament about the fuel consumption. This vehicle satisfies all your wish list and even saves a few surprises for ya just when you thought you knew all the luxury items it possesses. I owned the 2000 Expedition (eddie bauer) and this Navi is 3 times the truck. Hard to believe I loved the Expedition too until I found out how much better things could be.

• 

  What was Ford thinking - 2012 Lincoln MKS
  By carlcampbell - June 11 - 5:42 am

  I have been seriously looking for a new American car for over 2- months and finally decided to buy a MKS. This is a fine car. It is very nice looking, drives smooth, gets good mileage, is high tech, has nice looking interior and large trunk. Everythink is A-OK except for a fatal flaw. The huge center console consumes all but a very small part of the center leg room. After driving the car for a short time, we could not get out of it fast enough. Leg cramps are certain to be experienced on a road trip. This is sad for a nice large vehicle like the MKS. What kind of "designers" and decision makers does Ford have. This is sad and I am sure this will cost Ford a lot of money.

• 

  Really enjoy it! - 2011 Lincoln Navigator
  By phillip_g - June 3 - 12:30 pm

  This is not a sports car nor is it a hybrid-if that is what you are wanting this is NOT the vehicle for you. It is a luxury, truck-based SUV...Its BIG...very comfortable, hauls a lot of your closest friends and family and 9000 pounds if you need it to. Not as hard to park as Edmunds would lead you to believe, actually has a great turning radius. With the Front and Rear parking sensors and back up cam you should have no issue with parking unless your trying to land in a "compact only" space. We had a 2006 Model and had no major issues with it other than normal wear-Very happy with the choice we made to purchase this one-Lincoln Certified Program is excellent.

• 

  Reliable ride - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By mkzrrr - May 31 - 1:27 am

  Turned in a leased 2008 base car for a loaded 2012. Wanted a Hybrid but would have to pay almost $100.00/ month more for a base car than a loaded regular gas engine. FMC does not want to sell Hybrids. The 2008 handled much better than the 2012 . Improvements are a quieter ride and much nicer interior. Do not pay extra for the THX sound system. The base stereo in some ways was better in the 2008 model. Millage has averaged around 22 mpg in mixed use, 24 hwy. The 2008 had almost 50,000 trouble free miles and I expect the 2012 to be the same. Expect around $7000.00 discount on a loaded car, little or none on Hybrid.

• 

  lincoln retrurns - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By berman - May 30 - 2:33 am

  really enjoyable driving this car, when i each a destination i remain in the car to finish listening to my cd.,but a little more power ,sound proofing,and outside mirrors that are on springs, bluetooth, steering wheel (powered),tire pressure gauge,would make this car something the foreign cars would have to worry about.

• 

  Lincoln can do better than this.... - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By MKZer - May 28 - 2:26 pm

  Very "herky-jerky" starts caused by the transmission or electronic controls. Dealership says its inherent in the new design and and even though they acknowledge the rough ride; they say Ford has not given any warranty repair advise. Therefore, they cant authorize any warranty repairs. They say its a problem but dont know what to do.... "poor design" i guess. Im very disappointed and will be looking to trade out of this car soon.

• 

  I only do 2,000 miles a year, but luv it - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By CigarSandy - May 24 - 9:00 pm

  In the 6,000 miles I have there has not been a single adjustment needed, not problem to be fixed. I love the car very much. Its the Special Mid-Year model, the "Limited Edition"in that Silver-Green Fire mist color. 1,000s of compliments on the color! Car needs 70 horsepower more, otherwise near perfect. Love the power closing trunk- toy. Love the moonroof and the in the trunk out of the way CD Changer with the single slot in dash CD. Sadly, for 05 they dumped that (along with Autolamp system & Rainsense wipers (I mean WHAT are they thinking? These are standard on a Toyota Avalon & not available on a 05 TC at any price?) I find the drivers door very heavy and it not easy to open !

• 

  THE GATOR - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Lynn - May 19 - 10:00 am

  WE LOVE OUR NAVIGATOR- THE LOOK, THE ROOM & THE DRIVE. IT IS THE ULTIMATE AUTOMOBILE TO TRAVEL IN. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE IN A HEARTBEAT. THE ONLY DOWNFALL IS THE MAINTENANCE COST - TIRES, LOW GAS MILEAGE & ANY MECHANICAL WORK.