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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  Beware - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By dick graham - November 18 - 12:33 pm

  I think we might like the MKT if the dealer can get it started. 300 miles and towed to dealer, will not start. It took 3 days and several phone calls to even get a loaner. Dealer does not return our calls about our new MKT. Paid for 2010 Lincoln MKT, driving 2009 mercury. Beware and ask about the new ignition problems. It may be a great car. Hard to tell when you cant drive it!

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  A Happy Customer - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By New Jersey Driver - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving Mercury Sables for years....I decided to opt up to purchasing a Lincoln LS. It is a much more powerful car as compared to the Sable and much more luxurious. The ULTIMATE package includes several options. It is about the same size as the Sable in terms of driver and passenger room. I am completely satisfied with this purchase and very happy.

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  American Luxury, by a 30 year old. - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Trace - November 16 - 2:00 am

  After test driving several 2001 entry level sedans (Infiniti I30, Lexus ES 300, BMW 3 series) I was pleasantly suprised with the Lincoln LS V8. The LS I bought satisfied all I was looking for: comfort, luxury smooth but fun to drive, and good value for a used car. All this coming from an Infinti enthusiast since owning a J30 and I30 recently. After getting over the connotation of the name "Lincoln" as my grandfathers car, I feel in love with my first American made auto. The features it offers rival the best of the European luxury sedans, with a much better price tag. I think it has a sophisticated yet subtle body design- I dare to say even elegant.

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  my lincoln ls - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By ameriyens - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Lincoln(LS, V8). I cant explain in words, Im So in Love. I have friends with Mercedes, after riding in my car, They fell cheated with their cars.

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  Embarrassing quality issues - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Soxfan647 - November 15 - 8:00 pm

  I leased my 2005 LS V8 about a month ago, and have already had the vehicle in for service. The vehicle had several exterior trim fit and finish quality issues, including hood misalignment, driver side tail lamp misalignment, and passenger side rear door misalignment that resulted in the door latch impacting the striker bar, causing a loud squeaking noise when driving over bumps. Ultimately, 3 of the 4 doors were realigned, which took care of the squeaking noise. The driver side tail lamp and hood were both realigned. My only performance complaint is the responsiveness of the transmission. As a Ford employee, Im embarrassed that our luxury flagship would have these build quality issues.

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  Luxury Sports Car - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By sussexman - November 14 - 5:48 pm

  I have had my MKZ for 6 months now and overall it is a great car. I was looking for a comfortable car that kept me connected to the road and the MKZ did that better then CTS, BMW or Mercedes for the dollar. If you spend allot of time in the car as I do 8500 miles already and you are 64" this is a great vehicle. I am getting 21 MPG. The car is also very quiet. Navigation is also accurate and speech access makes it easy to use wile driving. Plenty of power both off the start and passing however transmission gets rough when you get on it. Trans is smooth during normal driving. You have to pull out the headlight switch to turn on driving lights this is poor placement as your knee turns it off.

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  AdvanceTrac Blues - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Rob Brixey - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Our car had 3 warranty related service calls on a advancetrac trouble before the dealership was successful in fixing it. I had to call Lincoln Customer Service Headquarters and complain. I couldnt find the Lincoln Commitment they hyped so much when they sold me the car. Nobody cared. My next car will be a Cadillac STS...

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  Great Ride, High Maintenance - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Alicia Heath - November 11 - 10:00 am

  We had to replace brakes (rotors on front too) at 40,000 miles, and the air conditioning was replaced at this time as well. We purchased this car used with 40,000 miles on it, so it could have been due to the previous driver. However, we also have one plug that gets oil in it way before time for a tune-up, especially if driven for a trip of any distance over 400 or 500 miles. Maintenance cost is much higher than for many cars. However, this car has POWER and is a very good ride. It steers and handles great. All the little perks (compass, auto-adjustment of seat and mirrors for the driver, etc.) are great.

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  Best used ar value by far! - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By Lincoln - November 11 - 12:43 am

  I purchased a 2001 Lincoln Conti and love it. My previous vehicles have been Lexus ES-300, Toyota Avalon, Chrysler Concord, Infinity I30 & Honda Accord. I have to say the feature list is extensive. More then in any of the other cars.

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  Excellent Value - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By LLP - November 9 - 6:26 am

  I find this vehicle is quick & handles extremely well. The Lincoln service has been the best! This car has been great & I have ordered a 2002 V8 Premium with all available options. One minor annoyance - it rides a little stiff over pot holes but out on the highway it is fantastic.