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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  Sweet Ride - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Tyrone Martin - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Everything about this SUV is awesome, from the handling to the impressive luxury features. My only complaint so far is the gas mileage.

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  Good but could be great - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By maferwin - July 7 - 10:00 am

  This LS with a V8 is a powerful, well balanced car. However, the front is only comfortable if you are under 6 feet tall. The leg room in a long trip makes you wish you had walked there The front seats could have been made a little bit plusher and the design should allow for a bit more room on the "wings" that "hold" you in place. So when one gets in the leather is not scratched with your left back pocket. Other than that, the car is fairly well built. Of course is Ford made so you dont get the finished that you find on a comparable car of European descent or even Cadillac. Weve problem with all windows, fogged- up headlight & noise Would I buy another one? No

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  Time to let her go - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Ollie - June 27 - 7:26 am

  I purchased this car for my wife and for the first 3 years of owning the car it was great. Slowly things started going wrong which I guess is normal. CD quit working, passeger door lock quit opening, gas door stopped opening, that kind of thing. at 89k it developed a spudder when you stepped on the gas. After some research I realized it was either one of two fuel pumps or a coil. Pumps were $300 bucks a piece, coils were $50 a piece. I have replaced one coil already and I liken it to performing surgery, not fun to work on this car at all. Its a great car when it runs well but a nightmare to work on and very expensive to maintain when things start going bad. Trade in value is horrible.

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  2000 Lincoln LS - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Jack - June 25 - 2:40 am

  Ride is great! Some items that have failed are not things I would have expected from a Lincoln. Headlamps, trunk leak, 3 window regulators so far, moonroof control button and seat back are main items that have failed. Brakes and tires wear quickly. Sorry to see it end its production. Hope new MKS will be just as exciting a ride. Lincoln needs a good Hot Rod.

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  Half a loaf - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By disappointed - June 10 - 12:10 am

  I have always owned Fords. Generally like em. Stepped up with this one and what a disappointment. Lincoln forgot to pay attention to detail. The transmission takes weeks to downshift so the V-8 power is squandered. The "automatic rain sensitive" wipers are a constant irritant. Throttle tip-in acts more like a 4-cylinder turbo than a V8. The dumb "all windows down and sunroof open" feature activates if the button on the fob is accidentally pushed so the car filled with rain one night. In general, a great potential that has been wrecked by lack of attention to detail. Should have gotten an Impala and saved the money.

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  navigating navigator - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By ed stanley - May 26 - 6:53 pm

  This vehicle comes equipped with the best factory seats I have ever experienced. Although the fuel economy is nothing to shout about and considering the weight and being a v8 truck advertised as an suv I am not disappointed in the mileage. Good sound system. Great ac and the quiet ride is a tremendous asset.

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  Great job Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Aviator driver - May 26 - 10:00 am

  The look is sharp and classy. The drive is comfortable and powerful.

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  Love my navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Pthinkrs - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car- really roomy- Its a gas hog though!! hang on to your pocketbook

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  Disappointed - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Unhappy - May 18 - 4:40 pm

  It is more like driving a car than a SUV. The ride is rough and the gas mileage is not up to what Lincoln indicates that it will be. It doesnt have the usual Lincoln qualities. This vehicle is identical to the Ford Edge except for a few cosmetics.

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  MKX Arrives w/Style! - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Nice Car..I Mean SUV - May 13 - 8:50 pm

  Nice car. Lincoln did a nice job with the overall design. Could have used a glove box light and covers for the seat wiring. Car broke down on first trip. Gas meter stopped working. Rear taillight was scratched from factory. Nice design, beautiful car but Lincoln quality assurance needs refinement! The GPS navigation is anything but intelligent often selecting the most indirect route. Software needs to be re-engineered!