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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  What a dissapointment! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By John - January 14 - 5:00 pm

  I was so happy when i purchased my LS because i always admired the car since Lincoln introduced the car in 2000, but that would be short lived. The LS has major issues! After a month of ownership, i had to pay $450 to replace the multi-function switch because my signal lights were acting up. Second, i had a engine misfire (which is a common problem on this vehicle) had to replace 3rd coil, all spark plugs and both value covers which cost $1100. Last, my airbag light came on and it cost another $1000 to repair. I took the car to the Ford dealership for service and repair. After 1 year ownership of the vehicle, i had to pay $2500 in non- maintance repair. Stay Away from Ford/Lincoln and the LS.

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  Problems - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Brad Wilhelmy - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my LS for 21 days, it has been in the service department for 11 of those 21 days. Can you say LEMON. I love the car, but I got stuck with a piece of junk. I have learned that when the dealership will not listen, take it to the people....

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  unknown answer - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By h82bbt - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy the Town Car, especially the exterior design. The interior need some work

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  Yah, this car is cool too - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By pcohenchicago - December 26 - 10:50 am

  Over the past couple of years I have owned an Acura MDZ, Nissan Maxima, Acura RL (2006), Acura TL, Dodge Charger SRT8, Toyota Avalon, Ford Explorer, and a Jeep Wrangler. Ive test driven MANY more. Why so many? I just couldnt find the vehicle that suited all of my needs. Along comes the Lincoln MKX. The styling won me over and driving it was icing on the cake. Well thought out design and all the creature comforts to make this a great road-trip machine. I got mine fully loaded with the Pan roof and THX yadda yadda. Loveing-it so far. At 35, I feel this car fits me perfectly.

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  Good looking, comfortable cruiser - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By bigpoppa - December 21 - 11:23 am

  I purchased my 02 V8 in May of 09. Only 58k on the odometer at the time, and the previous owners seemed to take good mechanical care of it. It is a great looking car! Shine it up and take it for a cruise on a sunny afternoon and it still turns a few heads. Clean lines and a classic "Euro" look means it has aged very well, compared to something like the CTS. I find the ergonomics/levels of comfort perfect for my 62" figure, but as others have said, the interior materials need more refinement. The ride is smooth on most surfaces, but gets uncomfortable over rough pavement. Performance is good, cant go wrong with the ol V8/RWD setup. Fast depreciation makes for a good used value.

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  Satisfied Owner - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By popepad - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Although weve only owned our Aviator three weeks and 1100 miles, it is a marvelous vehicle. We have a 2001 Explorer V8 AWD which we love, and this Lincoln is a big step upward. This is surely the pinnacle of American SUV engineering. Although the foreign-is- better crowd will turn up their noses at this truck; it is beautiful, well- made, great-handling and powerful.

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  Very reliable - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By MO - November 21 - 6:10 am

  I use this car for car service this is the best car for transporting people and their luggage.A very reliable car and roomy.This is my third tc and best one yet my first one i put on 3 hundred fifty thousand and the second one i still have and am trying to sell it which has 573,423 miles as odometer reads so you can imagine how reliable these cars are.

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  Worth the money - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Lynne James - November 17 - 2:00 am

  It is an excellent vehicle, but it really drinks the fuel.

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  A+ - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By SWIFT1 - November 11 - 10:00 am

  THIS WAS THE FIRST SUV THAT I EVER OWNED AND I DONT THINK THAT THERE IS ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT. IT HANDLES GREAT AND RIDES LIKE A LUXURY CAR.

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  Okay, not a Lexus - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Jordan.W. Wilson - October 26 - 9:50 am

  The Towncar has a smooth ride and good leather and comfortable seats. In 10,000 miles there were no mecanical problems at all. How ever, my Uncles 2001 Towncar has 40,000 miles on it and needed a new belt after 34,000. This car could be better. The quallity is good but not like a Lexus. The features are okay, the sound system is okay. I would buy a Lexus instead because this car is not the best luxury sedan, I payed to much.