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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  Lots of miles best SUV yet! - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By EbaJ - May 2 - 9:13 pm

  Bought this to replace an Explorer - my fourth- and there is no comparison....no front end issues original tires went 67,000 miles, brakes went 76,000 miles no warranty work, just regular maintenance. Beats the Explorer hands down. Ready to trade in Feb but they are changing it so where do I go now?

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  i absolutely love this car, the hell wit a 6 cyl CTS!!!! - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By hollywood0621 - May 2 - 4:34 am

  I have only had this car a couple weeks but I am so in love!! the power is like driving a 5.0 mustang GT luxury car, with a 5 speed auto or manual transmission, and manual is outrageous! the interior is the finest of leather, heated and cooled seats! Moon roof! oh yea, did I mention how fast it is? mine already had tinted windows, rain vents, when I got it, satin pearl white paint is beautiful! It had 70,000 miles on it when I bought it, 9yrs old, and looks and runs like brand new, my friends cant are still asking me, what year is your car again?

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  Lincoln MKS - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By sean - May 1 - 4:13 pm

  I traded in an V8 LS for the MKS. At first I thought the V6 wasnt going to be quick enough, but after driving it I found it to be quite fast. The navigation is second to none and extremely easy to use. The handling is a little different then the LS but in a good way. Its a tad smoother and hugs corners just as well. The size of the interior is a big selling point for any family of four or a group of adults. The leg room and sits are near perfect. I plan to own this a very long time unless that Eco-boost engine is really something else. overall Im extremely pleased with my purchase. kudos ford/Lincoln.

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  A Great Ride! - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Mark McGee - April 29 - 10:03 pm

  The car has great performance, an excellent level of comfort with superb handling for a car of its size and weight.

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  baby boomer dream buggy needs more ... - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By wolf490730 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  vechical rides high and smooth .. a secure feeling

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  DREAM CAR - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By koolnavigator - April 28 - 2:00 am

  i traded in my 2002 cadillac escalade for this beauty. It has power, LUXURY,and space. so far ive had no problems and hope i dont get any,like my former escalade which had just way too many problems. handling is superb, body roll is at a minimum, acceleration is good, braking is good, and excellent towing capacity.

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  Happy Warrior - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By golfbuggy - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Licoln has put back into this model all the things they removed after the 1996 Town Car.Passengers all comment about how well it drives and how functional the insides is.

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  Super Comfortable - 2014 Lincoln Navigator
  By primodel - April 27 - 7:07 pm

  This my 3rd Navigator, 1998, 2003 and 2014. I am super pleased with the 2014 model. Comfort for me is priority #1. I tested several other models in the same price range and the Navigator came out on top. For a big unit like this it rides extremenly well. Gas cost at $3.40 a gallon represents a weekly cost of $11.00 in fuel vs 17mpg on any other vehicle. I am willing to pay the extra $11.00 a week for this SUV.

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  Better Than Any Town Car - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By JMARKV - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2000 Continental in April of this year. Considering this vehicle is more than a foot shorter than the Town Car I traded in and a few inches less in width, the trunk is huge! Gas milage is better. Parking is easier, and the performance is outstanding. Ive had several people stop me in parking lots to admire my car and ask me questions about it. Ive had no problems with my Continental whatsoever.

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  Upgraded to the LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Rob - April 23 - 6:43 am

  Had a new Lincoln Zephyr and feel that I have upgraded to an older LS V8, better handling, performance, and overall comfort. at 1/3 the price for a used LS.