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:

• 

  Only 1058 - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By greg linzner - April 7 - 10:00 am

  If you want to be noticed get one of these. People are constantly starring to see what it is. They have stopped production on them at 1,058 so they are going to be very rare. They are selling for over sticker.

• 

  Sport Utility With The Ultimate Luxurys - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By Truck Man - April 7 - 10:00 am

  First off, the Lincoln Blackwood is NOT a truck. Id compare the ride and handling of this vehicle more with a BMW than a full size pick-up. From the extensive research Ive done on this vehicle, Ive discovered that Lincoln spent countless time and dollars designing the shocks and suspention for the Blackwood. Among the other attributes Lincoln has bestowed upon the Blackwood, the air conditioning system is the same used in military vehicles stationed in the Saudi. The power taneau cover has a nice feature that detects objects in its way and automatically raises to avoid crushing anything (including an arm). The Blackwood is a luxury sport vehicle with the driveability of a sedan.

• 

  Great car - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By bandguy - April 7 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a joy to drive and is extremely comfortable and economical for a luxury car.

• 

  I Love this Car - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By mixls00 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a fantastic car. This is also my second LS. My first was a 2000; now I own a 2003. I find that the car is reliable, responsive, and a real joy to drive. It is not the greatest car on gas, but you know what they say, "You have to pay the cost to be the boss." The sheer look and feel of elegance while driving this car totally outweighs everything else.

• 

  highclass SUV - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Powersink - April 2 - 10:00 am

  great performance with nice design but this surely drink gasoline so much as its powered eninge. Its really worth for some who afford $45,000 or more

• 

  It was time - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By Byron Steele - April 2 - 5:50 am

  I purchase this car because everything I had read about it intrigue me. I was impressed with the interior design as well as the exterior design. Now that I own it I have a few hundred miles on it all I can say is I made the right purchase. It right is fantastic.. its the nicest car Ive ever been in.

• 

  I LOVE MY LUX TRUCK - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By John Chaplin - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I am a General Motors man who was very disappointed that the Cadillac EXT was built in Mexico. I decided to check out the Blackwood. I fell in love with it immediately and drove it home as its proud new owner. I am so proud to show it off to whoever wants to see it and there are many wherever I go. It is absolutely flawless and so beautifully designed.

• 

  New Lincoln Owner - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Dave - March 24 - 6:26 am

  I just purchased this car and am very impressed with it. Ive already driven 100 miles and the gas gauge has barely moved so Im hoping for some good MPG once I refill. The THX sound system is wonderful and has so many useful features that Im still learning. I love the light colored interior and the heated and cooled seats are the best. My other car choices were a 2009 Camry SE and 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Those cars are also good but this Lincoln had more features for a lot less money. Even though its basically a Ford Fusion, I like saying I own a Lincoln. Little more prestigious.

• 

  owner - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By Terry - March 22 - 6:26 pm

  I have owned three of these Lincolns, a 95 & Two 97s. As far as i;m concerned its one of the best buys out there, for the money, comfort. very good gas mileage for a large car, At 60 mi per hr. you can get as high as 30 mpg. I have done it many times, Got 15 mpg. pulling a 2500 # trailer to Florida

• 

  FUN FUN Car!! - 2011 Lincoln MKX
  By sisper - March 18 - 10:55 pm

  Had the car for 10 days. Drove 350+ miles. Fantastic! impresses everyone from interior to exterior looks and features. powerful torque! Powerful yet sturdy and quiet. Fun to drive in Manual mode. Back camera outrageously fun to use. voice commands makes you feel like playing around with it! Ambient lights make you want to try them all! roof for driver and passengers? awesome! sensors for blind spot cars? amazing. Opening the trunk without taking the keys off packets while caring grocery bags, should be made into LAW! MUST have! steering wheel too good to describe. Test drive to understand. do you want 5 days weather forecast? no problem. sports scores? no problem! The LEATHER SEATS, ohh! etc