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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  Disappointed - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Disappointed - February 27 - 4:36 am

  Have 1300 miles on car. Have owned several Fords-no problems. Bought this car to keep several years-wrong move. Very disappointed. Engine has loud single pecking noise at cold start after auto choke shuts down. Getting worse. Service department & Ford engineer hears noise, dont know what is causing it and that nothing can be done about it-say some do it and some dont? Also, constant struggle with steering- pulls out of road-wears me out to drive it. Feels like it doesnt have power steering at times. Service dept has checked and says normal for FWD-I have owned other FWDs that did not do that-a little stiffer steering I expected but not this. Bad move buying this car-lot of money wasted

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  WOW!!!! - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By Michael Johnson - February 23 - 11:03 am

  I had never considered a Nav, Im 63" - the Escalade was a huge disappointment - dash and emergency brake cut into my shin and leg! Happened upon the Nav by chance. Was very taken with comfort, pick-up and ease of handling! I was surprised by the comments about lacking power, as the "Baby" moves like a bat out of hell and thinks 90 is an appropriate cruising speed. Among the most comfortable and supportive seats I have ever had in a car. I will agree that the gas mileage was a kick in the head -- but considering its size and weight it could be alot worse. All in all -- an A+ on the car -- which does not extend to the dealership --yuck!

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  Sad - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Sad - February 23 - 1:56 am

  I have owned my navi for 4 years now. We bought it with 30k miles and LOVED the car. The bells and whistles were amazing, it was a top of the line luxury SUV. Once my car hit 70k miles it fell apart!! Break Line ($900), plugs ($1100), transmission ($2000), air suspension twice ($1500), cadillac converters ($3000) and the mirrors no longer fold in and the rear window whipper doesnt work anymore. I am so tired of putting money into this car. If you get one make sure you buy the extended warranty. These cars are know for having big problems. Now Im upside down not only from the all the work I had done but now the dealership doesnt want to give me what my loan pay off is.... SADDENED

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  This Girls Truck - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Jeanne Clark - February 21 - 11:40 pm

  Silly Boys...Trucks are for Girls! This is the greatest truck ever built. I love my truck and have even named her "Big Bertha". She is certainly a man intimidator! Her performance and styling is superior. She pulls a trailer or boat like there is nothing in tow. This is one mean truck and I will have her for many years to come. My Thanks to Lincoln for the Mark LT.

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  2004 LSV8 - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Jim - February 20 - 12:20 pm

  I have owned this car since 12/06. Been to the dealer 3 times with coil problems. Each time it was fixed at no charge. Other then the rattles in the doors, that I fxed with some grease I love this car. The heated and A/C seats are great as is the 2 zone climate control. The engine is strong and I like the SST transmission. Seats are very comfortable even on long trips. The Instruments panel is dated in my opinion and I cant read the speedo to easy from my seating position. These are just minor grips. I gace up my Chyrsler 300C to my wife for this ride and I have no complaints. If they made an 07 I would buy that next as I enjoy this car that much.

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  Lovin The Ride - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Carmella Wade - February 20 - 4:56 am

  I purchased this vehicle back in August, and I am loving the ride. This vehicle is very smooth. I did not get the Navigation system or the vista roof. I have the DVD player. We put a DVD in and turned up the sound. You would think you were in a theater with popcorn. The system is nice. Also, this vehicle moves when you need to get moving. I really enjoy my MKX and would not trade it for the world.

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  I have NEVER been so disappointed in a Ford product or their Customer Service as I am right now! - 2015 Lincoln MKC
  By swim_mom - February 18 - 3:02 pm

  I have only ever owned Ford products and I had to have the New MKC, I bought the 1st on the lot. Lets just say, total disappointment!! My transmission "shattered" in the middle of the highway at 9k miles, all the ABS sensors have been replaced, the emergency brake engages sporadically while I am driving. This vehicle is not safe to drive and has left me in unsafe conditions on several occasions, that is not what I paid $45,000 for. I filed Lemon Law with the BBB so now Lincoln has told me that they can no longer help me or repair my vehicle under the warranty because I had to go and file a complaint with the BBB as my right as a consumer. I have never been treated so poorly in my life!

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  Great Deal - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Rip Reed - February 17 - 2:23 am

  I have had this car for almost one year and I cannot express how happy I am with it. The ride is quiet and smooth.

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  Great Dark Horse Luxury Car - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  By Matt - February 15 - 3:02 am

  This car is truly the dark horse of luxury cars. Ive owned everything from recent Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, model cars. Overall, the 2016 Lincoln MKZ is the best value. Heres why: Unlike Mercedes, Lincolns dont cost an arm and a leg to fix. I also want to be DIFFERENT and not drive the stereotypical "Mercedes". Compared to the BLAND styling of current Lexus models, this car is a killer! Beautiful lines, design, and interior. Sure, the 2.0 Hybrid model doesnt perform like a BMW, but the MKZ will get 40MPG, take 87 octane, and rides more luxuriously IMO. I am very proud that our country makes a luxury car that goes toe-to-toe with imports! Great job Lincoln. The 2016 MKZ is a winner.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By Don - February 10 - 5:53 am

  This is the best vehicle Ive ever owned! Absolutely nothing wrong in 28,000+ miles! I get 19 mpg on the road @ 65 mph. About 15 mpg city. It is by far the quietest pickup made anywhere today, period!