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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  Outstanding of the Year!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By J-Blazee - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Its one of todays hottest and loving,cars in the 21st century!!!!

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  Never own another GM car again... - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Frank221 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  In the dictionary, when you look up luxury, there is a picture of a Towncar.

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  Luv this Lincoln MKX - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Deborah - March 8 - 9:47 pm

  THIS MKX is luxurious, sexy, keeps its looks, all materials are quality plus. The paint is beautiful and wears like steel. I have driven this on multiple long distance cross country adventures and she has performed like a champ. Never a hiccup for 110,000 miles. Would keep her forever and continue to pamper and enjoy her if I could. A rare 2007 with Nav. and Sirius plus plus plus. A joy to own and drive. Update Nov. 2017 - MKX is 10 years old, looks brand new ( I baby it), now has 155,000 miles on it and still runs like a top. It has lasted longer and been more reliable than my last 2 marriages. ha ha True.. With the exception on one dead battery, there has never been a day in the past 7 years that I have gone out and turned the ignition and it has failed to start.. Its the absolute best, most reliable, most functional vehicle, I have ever owned. How can I buy anything but another... it would have to be one heck of a vehicle at one heck of a great price and check out fully with Mark at my Lincoln Dealership before I would even consider it.. Mileage still outstanding.. checked out at 23 mpg this past month highway driving.. beat that!!

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  Lincoln???? - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Thomas R. Barnes - March 8 - 5:00 pm

  Made me love a Lincoln. I definitely plan on replacing this car only with another Lincoln MKZ in the future.

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  2016 Bronze Fire Hybrid - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Rick - March 7 - 4:37 am

  I cannot understand the critics.. interior is NOT the cheap looking space they claim.. I am very happy with my new baby!.. driving in pouring rain, the headlights do cut thru and give you good sight.. the headlights turn as you are turning and follow the path.. the outside mirrors are coated and seem to cut the glare of the headlights following.. Take a little time and the 4 quads of My Lincoln Touch... is NOT the bad thing that the critics complain about.. Overall this car is fun to drive and a nice looking vehicle.. Its about as much a comparison to a Fusion as the Lexus are to the Camry..

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  What a mistake! - 2015 Lincoln MKC
  By wywill - March 6 - 6:02 pm

  Purchased MKC Sat. 3/7. Big mistake. Spent more time on the phone with Lincoln than driving. Top of the line, every option available model. 1) Sirius said I dont have the 6 month trial period, Lincoln set up system wrong, had to pay for the first year immediately; 2) Sync Service wouldnt work, dealt for 3 hours with Lincoln on the phone to do all sorts of things to get the system to work correctly, 3)Lincoln phone app wont work, after 4 days still wants "in car confirmation" that I am the owner of the phone/car...their engineers are looking into it and should have an answer in 1 week. What a Joke! Do Not Buy this Car! My 2014 Buick Lacrosse was flawless. This is far from luxury!

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  2004 Gator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Lyle Rieger - March 6 - 10:00 am

  What a great SUV. Traded my 2001 for the 04. Smother ride more comfort and great handling. All the comforts that I demand. I tested and drove the Cadillac and GMC but when it came down to put my money on the line the Gator was my chioce.

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  Excellent - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By el alami - March 2 - 6:00 pm

  I am enjoying my Aviator with its excellent road handling and smooth ride and performance, I previously owned two Jeep Grand Cherokee and have numerous problems and expensive repairs. If you are looking for an SUV with performance and comfort and you do not mind the extra bucks for a thirsty engine. Then this is the SUV for you.

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  Its like driving a recliner - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Jeremy - March 1 - 5:46 am

  I just purchased a 2001 town car a few months ago for my wife. We absolutely love it. We recently drove it on vacation it has around 200000 miles on it and was as smooth as a new one. We averaged 26 mpg it has tons of power. This is the first car i could drive for 7 hours and jump out of it as if I had only drove it 30 minutes.

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  LOVE my MKZ Hybrid! - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By stacih - March 1 - 3:52 am

  The MKZ Hybrid is an amazing and beautiful vehicle. For me, I average in the city, 56 to 62 miles per gallon and 45 to 50 on the highway. The technology is, at times, unbelievable. Lincoln did a fantastic job with this car. I have had my new car now for about three months, and have absolutely no complaints. My hybrid is fully loaded...the only thing it does not do is tell me hello when I get in...which would be pretty cool :) I have read the review here on Edmunds and was shocked that the complaint was interior space. I do not find this to be true. Also, I like the simplicity mixed with the luxury on and in this vehicle. The exterior is sexy and beautiful...buy one you will love it!