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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  Just keep rollin - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By kriegar - March 16 - 11:04 pm

  This is my 4th or 5th Town Car, and my second one in this body style/engine configuration. These are solid, dependable, and well appointed vehicles. What little gas money you might save in a lesser car is more than well compensated by the lower long term ownership and insurance costs. They have everything, and they dont break a lot...and no payments! This car provides a comfortable and quiet ride, (reasonable) power(its NOT an LT1), and reasonable gas mileage. The pollution control system is not so invasive that you cannot touch the car without having it become a problem, and the traditional styling and build are a plus for maintenance and/or modification.

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  Excellent Truck - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By GreatTruck - March 15 - 6:13 pm

  This has been one of the best trucks ive owned! I had a Ford F-150 Lariat previously and this truck blows it away. The exterior looks great along with the interior, the interior could be better quality in spots but overall its pretty good. I put a lot of miles on it each year and only had one problem with one of the back up sensors, but Fords great warrenty (50,000 bumper to bumper warrenty) backed me up and I didnt pay a penny. The gas mileage isnt bad for such a large truck I avg. about 14-15 in the city and 18-20 on the highway. This is a great truck and would recommend it to anybody. Id by another one any day! Lincoln should have never stopped making this car,maybe they will again

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  It aint no Continental - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By The Captain - March 15 - 10:00 am

  Still underpowered but better than before. Does not have the interior conveniences of the Continental. No individual arm rests that move with the seats. Power point located on bottom of dash. rather than hidden. No handy sun glasses or tissue compartment. Its only a week old, has the room but not fun to drive as the Continental. 2003 design is better

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  Best Car ever. - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Kelly - March 12 - 10:20 pm

  I owned a 01 Lincoln LS until 12/23/09 and the reason for that is someone rear ended me and pushed me into oncoming traffic i then collided with a mustang i had 3 people plus me in the car we all walked away with just scraps and bruises that lincoln LS saved my family and my lives I will never drive anything else i will only feel safe in the lincoln so i am now shopping for a another one....

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  Lincoln LS 2002 Premium - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Lincoln LS Fan - March 11 - 11:43 pm

  My 2002 Lincoln LS, Premium, has been very reliable, comfortable, and enjoyaalbe. The most impressive aspect of the LS is its superior handling characteristics, especially in cornering and emergency avoidance maneuvers. The LSs Advance Trac system combined with winter tires enables the vehicle to climb all of Pittsburghs snowy hills without trouble. The performance from the V6 is more than adequate, and the transmission shifts smoothly and flawlessly, even in our hilly terrain. After owning very acceptable vehicles such as Avalons and Camrys, I strongly believe the Lincoln LS is the most reliable and enjoyable vehicle I have owned.

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  Love my Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By LMcLallen - March 11 - 10:00 am

  My new lincoln navigator handles wonderfully. I was driving a Chevy 2500 HD truck and it was hard to manuever, not so with the Lincoln. Its roomy, and rides so smooth. My son says he feels safe in it. I love the standard side air bags

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  Bought Used - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Don - March 11 - 8:20 am

  Purchased the MKZ used with 120,000 miles. vehicle is solid runs feels and looks great. Comfort is excellent. The only thing I noticed is that at lower speeds right around 20 miles per hour there is a vibration. It seems to warm up and stop doing this after it drives a while. As you speed up it stops. I’ve read that a new rear 2 piece drive shaft will fix this issue. The 2 piece drive shaft is 433 dollars for the part. In almost all cases this has fixed the problem. Wish Lincoln would make a recall but they have not done so yet. In any event I plan on replacing the driveshaft part from this website. https://www.wholesaleimportparts.com/Lincoln_MKZ_Driveshaft.php?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuDTBRDUARIsAL41eDrjw9QT5f1Y4eykQY6ROt8YgggtZyArrxXtCoVYsACxGu_-zne2XlcaAgwVEALw_wcB Hope this review helps. The car is really fantastic. I’m very happy with it. At 120,000 miles it still looks and rides great. I will post again when my part is replaced.

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  Thought it was great till warranty over - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Ray - March 10 - 7:13 pm

  I actually thought this was one of the best cars I ever had and never even bothered to check reviews until I started experiencing problems at 75K mi. Sorry, but a drive train should not fail at 75K. Everything imagineable went wrong. Found out I had a defective transmission - sorry warranty up, car would not start then all of a sudden would be OK. Couldnt find a problem until the fuel pump went out solid - after the warranty was up. The car always pulled to the right - could never find anything wrong - got worse as the car aged. It seems as though literally everything started to break just as the warranty was up.

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  Love my Lincoln - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By mastiffmom2 - March 9 - 1:28 pm

  I love my 2010 Lincoln MKX. I feel safe and comfortable. Hands free and GPS have been a big help. Great on long trips. No-it is not for sale, this is a keeper!

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  Step aside General Motors... - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Matt Lincoln Owner - March 9 - 10:00 am

  With 302 HP standard, the Aviator has an exhilarating power, confident looks, and exceptional performance.