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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  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.

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  L is for Lincoln not Lexus! - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By sport99 - May 19 - 8:23 am

  Just took delivery of my MKZ AWD after months of researching BMW, M-B, Jaguar X Type and Audi A4. Lincoln offers far more value for the money than any of the others. Exterior styling is far better than past lincolns and the interior finally resembles the high level that lincoln of the past was noted for. This car comes with almost everything standard. In Canada where i live it is also sold with 4 year fully paid up scheduled maintenance so all i have to do is put gas in it and insure it. THX II Certified Audio is a must have. Quality is as good as any import. I really suggest if you are looking for an entry level luxury sedan..check out the MKZ. you wont find a better deal on the market

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  the one car to own! - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By (W)reckless - May 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is a good perormer. IT smokes the 5 seires in every possible way, except for its reliability. (1 octane is ok, since its a beefy, strong, tourqey V8. Even if you cant afford one, test drive it at least.V8 is a must.

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  Best in class - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By nvbanker - May 8 - 1:56 pm

  This is my second Navigator. I owned a 99 and drove it to 65,000 miles with only one repair. The 03 was the first year out of the totally new design. It has had some "new model" issues, but all of them minor, and never stranding me. Mostly glitches in the features of the truck. The interior is drop-dead gorgeous, from the steering wheel, to the plasma display dash, reminiscent of the 61 Continental. Its roomy, comfortable, and the 3rd seat folds totally flat into the floor, with a power motor. The seating is extraordinary. I truly feel this is the best design on the market, and the best value for the money. The engine is great, but the mileage is poor, as you would expect.

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  New and Improved - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By DEThier777 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  This 2003 Navigator is much improved over the 2000 model I traded in. Although the exterior of the new model is a little bland by comparison, the interior design and improved drivability more than make up for that. This vehicle is also much better over all than the Cadillac Escalade which I test drove numerous times before deciding to opt for another Navigator. The reliability of my 2000 model was outstanding and I expect the same for the 2003.

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  Good Car - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Bill Smith - April 28 - 7:46 am

  We have enjoyed this car and found it very dependable. It is comfortable to ride in and gets 21 to 22 miles per gallon with highway driving. The only work ever done on this vehicle is to repair right front fender and headlight after hitting a deer. It is kept in a garage. It has always been serviced on time. Tire wear excellent with 60,000 miles on original and 55,000 miles on second set of tires.

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  10 year ownership - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jimboh55 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 2000. No problems for first 7 years. Now am concerned. In last few years had to replace some coils, valve cover gaskets($1000), rebuild differental ($1000),replace front ball joints ($459),replace rack and pinon ($650),replace alternator ($450),fix airbag system (light stayed on -$400).replace driver window system ($400) Hope no more problems Car is a great road car and is wifes daily driver. We have used for multiple road trips (130000 miles) over the years.Outside of current repair concerns we love the car. Only other complaint is poor interior storage. We get 27 - 28 mpg on road trips.

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  GREAT CAR - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By paulie - April 16 - 10:53 pm

  What is all the bashing about? The MKS handles the Ozark mountain roads at 60 MPH easily. There hasnt been one thing wrong in over 14K miles. OK. YOU show ME where you can get: Adaptive Headlights. Auto windhield wipers. Auto brights. Dual Sunrooof. Heated AND COOLED driver and passenger seating. Sync. Rear back up cam. Softest leather, other than one Lexus. AWD. Room for 5 and a living room sized rear seat. 275 HP on REGULAR. I got all of this for 41,000 in November. Come on, this is to easy. Now, you show me another that gives all this. You cant, so quit the bashing.

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  2005 Navi Ultimate - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By njbaran99 - April 14 - 9:10 pm

  have the Navi for 1 week now and lovethe SUV, so far. Strongly considered QX56/Armada but had concern on the brakes Issues. Also looked at Escalade, but felt too much like a suburban and Durango was just too small. Navi(s) are a highway cruiser if there ever was one. This beast weighs 6,000# which is heavy, but complements the ride and adds to firmness on the road. A little concerned about expected reliability, as some have reported major electrical issues, hope they got all this figured out by the 2005 Model. I got the Navi just under invoice with all available incentives, so it was a bit pricey, compared to some alternatives, but plan to keep it long enough to enjoy as it depreciates.

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  My Texas Town Car and Im not from Texas - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By BobRod - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I recently obtained my Blackwood and foud it to be quite unique. Remember, this is not a truck. The only thing that resembles one is the four door cab. The Blackwood has most of the Lux items including AC seats. The Box is absolutely beautiful. Has 4 cu. ft. more room than the Town Car. Ford invested a lot of Money in this Vehicle. I wouldnt be surprised if this car cost Ford around $150,000 to build or more. I Love driving my own personel Concept vehicle. Get one while they are still available. Price is down now if you shop around, but watch out, this might be the next collectable. So dont wait too long