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 my Lincolns - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By looserlouise - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Have owned Lincolns since 1975 and would NOT drive anything else. The styling, comfort , quality and handling put the imports to shame. Buy American.

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  Lincoln is a great luxuary vehicle - 2017 Lincoln MKC
  By Sandy - June 9 - 1:53 am

  The Lincoln MKC has so many features that I did not realized until I owned the MKC. I would had to pay so much more on other luxury brands. The MKC is a great size, has stunning exterior and interior. It is quiet, smooth and performs very well. My wife and I are very happy with the Lincoln MKC.

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  Im tough on it - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Wakeboarder - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I push my truck around alot because Im always hauling around 3K lbs of boat all the time. Ive had some problems. The chrome on the grill was flaking. The back chrome accent the screws started to pop through. The air compressor shocks went out, and the airbag light was coming on too. The silenoid went out.

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  Nice vehicle - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By VJM - June 7 - 11:26 am

  I replaced my Lexus with an Aviator 3 years ago. It only had 10K miles on it. Besides general mte. have replaced rear brakes and tires. Rear window panel cracked 2 yrs ago and was replaced under warranty. Has now cracked again (not under warranty). Dealership told me that Lincoln was aware of this problem but was not helping with replacement anymore. Was told yesterday (at 56K miles) that water pump was leaking. My husband likes this vehicle better than I do. But I drive it 95% of this time. I consistently get 17 mpg on a combo of city/highway driving. When my husband drives it the mpg goes down because he has a lead foot and loves "floor it" after a stop.

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  Love My LS - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Chris C. - June 7 - 7:00 am

  We were looking for a Mustang, but deciding it was not right for our family, we found our 2005 LS sitting on the lot. It was owned by a Ford executive and was originally registered to Ford. The car has all the power I could want with the comfort my wife loves. We got a great deal on the car with full warranty. After owning foreign cars for the past several years, I am really hooked on the good old American cars again. If I were to buy a new car, it would most likely be the LS replacement, the Lincoln MKS. Only major problem with the car is the reverse warning stopped working. Took it to dealer and the sensor unit was replaced under warranty and in 1 day.

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  My Lincoln MKZ - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By john baverstock - June 6 - 3:44 pm

  This model is very reliable and rides smoothly and has very little road noise, The only visits I have had to the repair shop has been for regular service.

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  AWESOME - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By AWSOME - June 6 - 1:33 am

  My parents bought me this car for my 16th B-day and so far it is the best car i have ever driven. fuel economy is great, and there is a ton of power in the v6. Best car ever!

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  best car ever!!! - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By bob587 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car i have ever owned! it is sooo luxurious and has so much space. the braking and handling are so good and feels very carlike. Acceleration is also excellent because i can get maximum torque at very low rpm.The transmission is also very impressive. Shifts are buttery smooth and i cant even detect them. The leather also feels like very high quality. The plastics in the car are also very soft. The stereo is also excellent.

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  Envy of the neighborhood! - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By runflat - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought Navigator 3 months ago...black with mono-chrome treatment. Beautiful vehicle with great ride. Wife is primary driver and she LOVES it! Got a fantastic deal since 2003 came out...$13,000 off sticker. Initial quality has been disapointing. In 90 days: horn quit working and an interior roof support beam came loose. Was unaware that vehicle requires premium fuel. On top of that, gets 12.1 MPG in city and only 15.5 HWY. Towed an Explorer on trailer with Navigator and did not even know it was there!

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  Comfort with decent mileage - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Richard - May 29 - 2:03 pm

  I average about 17 miles a gallon. Comfort is the key word for my Touring Edition sedan. I can fit everything but 4x8 sheets of plywood in this trunk, which makes it great for my work. Had problems with the factory installed alarm system. Its been good to me, and I learned to do the repairs myself so Im looking at keeping it.