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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  Best in Class - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By baffledu2 - April 23 - 4:40 am

  Great Looks, great safety equipment, to many toys to mention, drives like a dream with plenty of power, corners very well. and is the quietest vehicle Ive ever owned. Power lift gate and huge power roof are great ideas. The 2nd row seats fold with a button. No other make puts it together like this for the price.

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  Looked at Everything - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Josh Bradbury - April 22 - 7:13 pm

  Looked at the ML350, MDX, SRX, Q7 and the Edge. What sold me on the MKX was the Sync voice activation, the THX surround sound system and the vista moon roof (I got the 102A package.). I never would have thought that I would have bought a Lincoln at 34 (I think of my Dads old car) but this is definitely a new wave of Lincolns. I came out of a Land Rover LR3 with the Mark Kardon system and the THX sound in the MKX blows it away. Only improvements would be front parking sensors and not having to say "USB" to get to the ipod menu.

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  Aviator...Worst Car Ever Built - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By hatethiscar1 - April 20 - 9:00 pm

  This is the worst car ever built! Ford used cheap Korean bearings that disintegrate as soon as your car goes out of warranty. Amazing at how well Ford could time this. Nothing but a mechanical, electrical nightmare that has almost killed my family twice. Ford should do the right thing and recall all aviators.

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  A Lincoln For Me - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Okie - April 15 - 7:40 am

  After visiting too many dealers that wanted to put me in a car I did not want, I finally found one that showed me the right car. Ive been a Ford pickup owner for decades, but this time I wanted a little better ride and comfort (with a 6 cyl auto). I did not like the ride in my son in laws X3 and could not believe how tacky most of the GM crossovers were. It came down to the Enclave and the MKX, and the deals on MKXs coming off one- year leases made the financial decision pretty easy. I did not want: vista roof, thx, navigation. Dealer got me what I wanted at the price I had researched. So far, so good at 11,300 miles.

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  lincoln town car - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By thomas myers - April 14 - 8:23 pm

  i purchased this car new. the performance and economy for a car this size and weight, looks, craftmaship, quietness, comfort are all important to me. this car has been a delight to own and drive. i have noticed the ford dealership has striven to do everything possibe to keep me happy and they have.

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  This is the one! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Lincoln Man - April 13 - 6:00 am

  I had a 2006 Mountaineer Premier, and was not in the market. I on a whim drove the MKX and owned one days later. This is the coolest ride ever, fast, smooth, and this thing does everything but brush my teeth. well equipt. All I can say is take one for a ride you will be in heaven on wheels. I am 62" guy and have plenty of room, sound system is very nice, and the Nav.

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  Whispered Elegance - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Mariella Lohman - April 10 - 8:40 am

  This quiet, elegant, classy car speaks volumes, without saying a word. When I first came upon it without even looking, I felt a "connection". Ive owned the 5-speed flashy cars, the red cars, too many white cars and big SUVs -- (not conducive to wearing skirts!) It was time for me to show some style and Ive done that in my brand new classic black, oyster leather interior, Lincoln Zephyr. I brought it home and just stared at it for 2 days and then I took it out on a Saturday night by myself and drove through town playing "Enya" on my fabulous stereo very loud. Then I clicked over to CD #3 and "Start Me Up", classic Stones. My genre, my style. Thats me pulling up in whispered elegance...

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  Luvin my new 01 LS - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Paulie_G - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Just bought my used 2001 LS last week. Im still in awe about this vehicle. I got a V6, maybe slightly underpowered but I dont mind it. The ride is smooth, seats are very comfortable like riding around in a plush lazy boy. Mine has the Alpine CD-6 indash changer w/the audiophile speaker system....ROCKS!

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  I love this car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By firsttimebuyer - April 8 - 8:46 pm

  I have had the car for just over two months. The car is comfortable and the ride is excellent. I think the interior was particularly well done. My car is Merlot with a Sand interior, and it looks really sharp. I have caught a number of people on the road speeding up to get a closer look.

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  Really big upgrade from my 2008 Navigator - 2015 Lincoln Navigator
  By Troyd75826 - April 8 - 9:57 am

  Great for family with 3 young kids who cant stand idea of minivan. Nice updates from previous generation. This is a far more comfortable vehicle.