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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  Poor plastic - 2010 Lincoln Navigator
  By natzhawk - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I had to give the interior a poor rating. Due to the fact that the speakers plastic is very poor. Just wiping the plastic can mess up the plastics color. The driving of the vehicle is smooth and the comfort level is good.

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  Just what I needed - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By TruckinLincolnstyle - March 22 - 11:36 am

  The Lincoln Mark LT is awesome for its first year, the exterior design is so sexy and big everyone just has to look, the chrome running boars add to the chrome on the side of the truck and the grill. The power sunroof and power sliding back window is so cool. Luxury in a truck, this is it. looked at pretty much every other truck and just saw this big red beauty and 3 days later it was mine. If you dont like the features in the truk why would you buy it in the first place? to complain? good idea...ya right.

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  my first luxury sport car - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By sassy954 - March 19 - 5:46 pm

  great car few problems that can be fixed by visiting dealer very reliable great passing power

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  nice - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
  By TCfan - February 28 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. This is my second towncar and its alot better than my old one. Better performance, reliabilty, and such. Love the trunk. Can fit my sound system, junk, and 3 baskets of laundry in it! Name me another car that can do that. You can also fit about 10 people inside the car if your good enough. Car is still holding up amazingly well for 140,000 miles. Still looks good. Everybody loves the car. Some people dont believe it has that many miles or that its a 1994.Be careful of the air suspensions on Fords. Make sure you turn it off before you lift it or else youll pay for a new one.

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  Second Great LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By JVW - February 27 - 3:30 am

  Leased my first LS and am buying this one. Had zero problems with the first one and am enjoying continued reliability with this one. Handles exceptionally well although the performance of the V6 is just average. Average mileage in LA traffic is 20-22. Great navigation system - easy to program and use. Unbelievably good THX sound system. Heated and cooled seats are great but I dont really use them that much. Great road-trip car, extremely comfortable and silent, plus nearly 30 MPG highway (actual). Design is my only complaint - dated but still very clean. Only recommendation would be if you can afford the gas (runs premium) Id pick up the V8/sport package for performance boost.

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  Great Truck! - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By James - February 23 - 11:36 pm

  I have really enjoyed this truck! I used it as my daily driver for about a year, when I sold one car and was not sure which car I wanted to get next. This truck gets lots of looks and compliments, and it functions quite capably as a "truck" too! I have used it often to haul dirt, mulch, rocks, brush, trash, you name it - it does it all with style. It does a great job towing a 24 foot boat as well. Everyone who has ridden in it has commented on how nice the interior is and how comfortable it is. I havent put a lot of miles on it (16,000) but it has not given me any problems. I have heard they are not going to build it after 2008, which is disappointing because its really a great truck!

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  My 2010 MKZ vs. my 07 MKZ - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By Bob - February 17 - 10:30 pm

  I just turned in my 07 MKZ lease and leased a new 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Overall I am relatively happy with my new MKZ - performance, handeling, and ride have all improved, and the cosmetic changes for the most part are an improvement. I can however see where Ford has cut some costs in producing the 10 vs. 07 while adding $5,000 to the base price in just 3 years. My biggest disappointment is in the poor audio unit now standard in the base MKZ, the same unit that comes in a Ford Escape, Fusion or other Ford/Mercury vehicle. While the whistles and bells such as Sync, USB, and Bluetooth Audio are all great, the most important aspect of any audio system - sound quality - is very disappointing.

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  Automatic Trunk - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By jjake96 - February 13 - 3:26 pm

  We love this crossover. Rides nice and interior features are excellent. Had car for about 2 months and the only problem we encountered is the automatic trunk opener. Opens and doesnt close. It goes down and up and not closing properly. Been at the dealership twice already.

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  troubles,troubles for my 98 lincoln cont - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By ray suto - January 30 - 7:26 pm

  I have since 12/02 out of my pocket apprx $3600 in repairs to my 98 Lincoln Cont....I bought it with 58,000. It now has 112,500 mi as of 4- 13-09. Additionally, under warrenty, $1800 was incurred. In 2007 I spent $400 for body work. Totally, not counting normal oil changes and tires, this vehicle has apprx $6000 in repairs and body work. Included in repairs wass a $1300 transmission (2008) 111,000mi. Ignition coils, actuator, brakes (twice) front and back. rotors, etc. front coil spring broke, ball joints, tie rods, speed sensors, knuckle front wheel, etc, etc......Pretty expensive for any auto. Not a happy camper.

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  SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY EXPEDITION - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By WINGKING - January 24 - 10:00 am

  HAVING OWNED 2 EXPEDITIONS (2000 & 2002 I WANTED TO DRIVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WHAT A MISTAKE. THE CROME ON THE INTERIOR OF THE NAV. IS PUT IN PLACES WHERE THE SUN IS ALWAYS HITTING AND SHINING IN YOURS EYE. NOT GOOD FOR SAFETY. HAVING TO USE PREIMUN GAS IS ALSO A BIG DRAW BACK. THE DRINK HOLDERS ARE NOT AS USEFUL AS THOSE ON THE EXP. I DRIVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES A YEAR AND GET A NEW CAR EVERY 2 YEARS I ALWAYS BUY THE EXTENDED WARRENTY AND ALWASYS SELL MY CAR TO ONE OF MY EMPLOYEES, PROBABLY WONT THIS TIME. ITS A NICE VEHICLE BUT NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY.