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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  Not Your Fathers Lincoln! - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Jim G. Verges - January 15 - 5:53 am

  I have ridden in Lincolns before; my father currently owns a 2004 Lincoln Town Car, and it is an excellent car which does what it is designed to do- transport its occupants in luxury with every conceivable convenience at your finger tips. The vehicle is solid, well-built auto with a velvet-smooth ride. The only draw back is that it does not exude the image of a performace sedan. So when I had the opportunity to rent a Lincoln LS a few months ago, I was pleasantly surprised by a Lincoln that is not only luxurious, but also a pleasure to drive. The acceleration is brisk, yet refined enough to not spill your passengerschampange. The build quality is excellent, and the design is very sexy.

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  Real Head Turner - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Kristy H - January 15 - 2:23 am

  What can I say about this car but unbelievable! This car is a real head turner. I been driving this car since mid January and I get compliments weekly. The interior is excellent and has a luxury feel. Love the MP3 plug in for my ipod. Very roomy car and the dual seat settings are a plus as my husband has been taking my car everywhere and it is so much easier now that all I have to do is push a button and my seat is back where I want it. The car is absolutely beautiful exterior. When I am parked in a parking lot nothing compares to the beauty. The ride is smooth on the highway and very controllable on the back roads. I travel both to work. Both feels great. Love It!

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  I love this car. - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By A.L. Johnson - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I am so pleased with everything about this car. It is quite, fast, smooth. Even though the V8 premium sport seemed a bit pricy I now feel it was worth every penny for the upgrade for all of the little nice features.

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  Love my SUVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By Ken Anzules - January 12 - 4:10 am

  We love our 2005 Lincoln Aviator. The mileage could be better,but we knew we were getting into a V8 performance. We searched for over a year for the perfect SUV for our family. We are so glad we found this one.

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  The American Import - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By cdphillips - January 9 - 10:00 am

  This car has it all. Styling, performance, etc. The new 280 HP V8 is great. The Advance Trac has been improved. The heated & cooled seats have been very useful so far. Adjustable pedals add to an already great interior. The cabin is so unbelievably quiet. The ride is smooth and yet responsive. Gas mileage has been improved. I could go on and on but Im sure you get the picture.

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  No Problems - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By TennesseeLS - January 8 - 12:16 pm

  I waited for the second year (2001) to buy my V-8 model, and it has zero problems. My wife likes the attactive body and interior while I like the power and handling. I systematically test drove competing cars over the same test loop (yes, I am an engineer) and the LS was far superior to all but the much more expensive BMW 5-series in power and handling. America can compete.

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  Very Happy With my Choice - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By MKTHappyOwner - January 5 - 10:33 am

  We looked at the Q7, XC-90, MDX, Enclave and the MKT. The closest equal was the Q7 and Im happy to say the MKT is a much better car. The Eco boost engine is the way to go. Almost 100 HP more than the Q7 and still better mileage than that car. Interior space is much better with the MKT. The Sync system is top notch. The ability to plug my IPod into the USB and control it via the touch screen is great. THX sound system is off the charts. Sync/Nav/Voice Recognition etc. is very well thought out and the level of integration is impressive. I went into this purchase heavily leaning to the Q7. After I drove the MKT, it was an easy decision. Very happy to buy American over the Audi.

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  The best - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By nnn - January 2 - 10:00 am

  The car combindes luxury, power, and off road capabilties better than any suv out there. Simply the best.

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  I did my homework! - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By porsche7 - December 26 - 9:33 am

  I love this car. Looked at Lexus ES350, Mercedes E-Class, Audi. I kept coming back to this car for its overall value, fun factor and genuine interest in how Lincoln could put all of this in such an affordable package. I can use this as a family car or just go out for a ride by myself. I do my homework when it comes to cars and I feel I was well rewarded.

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  Great Car - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Carlos - December 24 - 7:13 pm

  I just got the car from my dealer. First of all the Dealer experience was above the expected service. They delivered the car to me in a pristine conditions. Fit and Finish is great, the seats are out of this world, I had a Mercedes E350 and the comfort and ambience this Continental has is way above the Mercedes. The power of the engine and the way it is delivered to the 4 wheels. Its feel in a category above. The only thing I would criticize is the fuel economy, if you get to happy with the engine revs then the fuel economy goes down...sad because the engine is a silky machinery that calls to be pressed.