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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  1996 Lincoln Town Car Signature - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By sig96tc - January 20 - 5:22 pm

  Purchased in 03 with 52K, now has 265,000 miles. Engine has never had the valve covers removed. I have no plans of getting rid of her. These cars are cheap to maintain with plenty of original parts on ebay etc.. Obviously I have taken care of it.

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  best truck - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By blackwood02 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Love the car but too much wind noise Hence the low build quality score

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  Luv To Drive a Big SUV - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Material Guy - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV.. I would buy another. I may trade only because of poor gas mileage..12 regardless of where you are.

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  Love and Hate relationship - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By shleppy - January 11 - 10:00 am

  Love the look. However, have had many problems with it including a time it kicked in 4WD LOW while I was driving without me touching the control. What a jolt...thought someone rear-ended me. The engine was making a humming noise for a time. The speakers went on my "premium stereo". I was also disappointed to learn that the seemingly luxurious interior is no different from that of a Ford Expedition. On the upside, I have two kids and the roominess is very nice...this truck loves the highway. Also love the size...I sleep well knowing my kids are being driven around in this tank.

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  First time experience with Lincoln - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Wallace - December 30 - 7:20 pm

  This is my first time with a Lincoln vehicle. It edged out the Camry XLE narrowly. Generally speaking, I am very pleased and am quite satisfied. After test driving the Camry XLE, BMW X3, and Lincoln MKX, the MKZ emerged as the better choice.

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  My Blackwood - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By M. Overstreet - December 30 - 10:00 am

  This is a great looking truck. Truck? Well, not really. Its a Navigator with a really big trunk. Turns heads everywhere you go. Great looking and great driving.

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  ZERO COMPLAINTS - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By VERY VERY NICE - December 27 - 8:36 pm

  Upgraded from a 2008 Fusion to this Lincoln. This is a nice car.....period. Plenty of power, excellent road feel, comfort, AWD excellent in snow, stereo rocks.! Wish gas mileage was better (avg 21), but cant keep foot out of gas. NO complaints so far.

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  Good Car-Lexus is BETTER - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Motley Crue - December 18 - 5:46 am

  My experience with Lincoln has been real bad. The ride quality is good but its doesnt compare to Cadillac Deville or Lexus LS430. Had the alternator replaced at 20000 miles. Went to the mall and when I was going to ignite the engine the Key broke making the car unmoveable. Leather seats are cheap, they are now ripped. Now I am not going to say this is a bad car, infact its good, its not just not on the same level as Cadillac or Lexus. You can buy one if you want, its your money, but i WOULD suggest buying a Lexus LS430 NOW that is a true Luxury Drivers Car.

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  Car of the Year? - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By IF6WERE9 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Was I mistaken or was this a "Motor Trend Car of the Year"? If so, you have to wonder who paid off who. Im sorry, but I would expect more from a "car of the year". It has 63,000 miles on it and in the year Ive had it, Ive had to replace both motors in the rear electric windows, ball joints, and a T- valve for the AC (the passenger side blew hot while the drivers side blew cold). The dealer tells me I should really have the front end aligned every 5-6K miles or the tires wear out prematurely. If you have a phone in the console, youre out of storage space. Come on Ford, wheres your quality control!!

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  Downgraded - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Chris - December 13 - 9:16 am

  We traded in a 1994 6 cyl.Buick Park Avenue for the 2008 6 cyl. The PA had the most comfortable interior, GREAT gas mileage 27 mpg. All the bells and whistles. The Lincoln MKZ listed 18/28 but so ar has only 17/21. MKZ is zippy but the front seats are not comfortable on long trips. The MKZ price was about 5g more than it should have been. The MKZ is NOT the car that the Buick was. Wish we had not purchased it now that we have experienced it. Buick is much better!!