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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  Love the Lincoln Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Lorna LV, NV - November 11 - 1:23 am

  I Love my Jaguar, but this car is nice! So quiet and elegant. People look at it all the time as if to say "What is that car?!" We were very happy with the standard options found on this car. We looked, drove, bought. That simple! Nice, too, that it is an American manufacturer. Way to go!

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  Great SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By vinny - November 8 - 10:53 pm

  I bought my 2003 Aviator new. The truck is quick and beautiful looking. I got it in the pearl white with the white leather. Not the best choice with kids but still looks good after 6 years. I did have two problems which the dealer fixed under the warranty .The idler pulley was giving off a whining noise. They replaced it and it fixed the problem . The second problem was a rough idle and it would come close to stalling. It was a vacuum leak that the dealer fixed with the warranty. I have 61,000 on it now and it has started to idle rough again but Im sure it is a simple fix . People who complain about the interior of this truck are crazy. It is very luxurious and comfortable.

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  2007 MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Fly Boy - November 4 - 11:43 am

  Excellent vehicle. Its truly enjoyable to drive. I made my first highway trip and felt refreshed after a full day. I found the dual heater zones to be more effective than in other cars Ive owned.

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  My Dream Car - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By suzan - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I just love this car...... I hope it last forever....... I would buy the same one again.....

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  Lincoln Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By R. M. Johnson - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Great preformance, handling, and finish

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  My Most Comfortable Car - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lisa - November 3 - 7:10 am

  Bought the car with only 24K on it. Didnt need front brakes until 85K, rear brakes at 130K (lots of highway miles in my business). This was the best designed car for comfort and ease of driving that I have ever owned. Everything can be adjusted to wherever you want it for all circumstances by whomever was driving. Being a somewhat small woman, I particularly appreciated being able to position the drivers seat so I had ultimate visibility yet all operational controls were still readily at hand, even the cup holders and ashtray. Other than routine maintenance, repairs werent needed until 135K. Last 15K saw rear air springs and compressor, fuel filter, external brake lines,etc. Great car!

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  My New LSE Flat Out ROCKS! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Jasen - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Had a few as rentals over the past year and was more than impressed, time and time again. Last time I drove it, decided to turn in the keys of my BWM 535i. More than happy with this car. Ford has done an amazing job in putting this together. Keep finding more and more people features that amaze me and how this car was thought out. Amazing performance as well. Love driving this more than the BMW.

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  An elegant ride! - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Ann - October 31 - 6:36 am

  I had two Jaguars prior to the MKZ and they could not hold a candle to the elegance, features and handling of the MKZ. I love the wood trim, reminds me of the Bentley interior. Will definitely buy another and would recommend to anyone.

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  a must see - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Todd - October 28 - 10:52 am

  Weve had an MDX for years and started our new search heavily biased towards getting a new MDX until I saw the new MKX at a stoplight. An online search showed this car to be nice value and the showroom did not disappoint. Our reserve model with upgraded ecoboost, tech and drivers packages is on par with the SQ5 for several thousand dollars less. This car is loaded up for the money. The cheaper of the Revel stereo options sounds awesome. Build and ride quality are on par or better than any of the new BMWs Ive driven recently (as a current BMW owner). Burned by Detroit before, I was hesitant to give Lincoln a chance but this car is a must drive if you are in the market for a small $50k SUV. Now, if my friends would just stop reminding me of the stupid Matthew McConaughey commercials...

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  Relaxing - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By mike g. - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Smooth ride,people look at you differently,put toghether well,very little exterior noise,great vehicle