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:

• 

  This car is not worth it! - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By this is bad car - August 18 - 10:00 am

  The first week i had this car, i was going 80 down the highway, and one of the front wheels buckled up and the car went to a screeching halt. The dealers had the car for 4 weeks trying to figure out what it was...as soon as that was fixed, the other one went out. This car is bad ride, bad buy, uncomfortable, and the list could go on forever. By the way, i was backed into one day and a tail light costs 400 dollars!

• 

  Nothing but Problems!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Bear - July 1 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle has 2300 mile on it and has been in the shop for a total 25 days (4 visits). Electrical problems with tailgate, running boards, ignition, moonroof and remote entry locks. Significant amount noise (wind & road) created by moonroof and rear windows. Lincoln has not been ablt to correct the problems. Will probably have to arbitrate under the "Lemon Law"

• 

  1 Week into 2002 V8 LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By RonW - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought the LS this week and had the following problems pior to delivery. 1.Top of the line stereo dead from the factory...no power so I am not sure how it sounds. Was this car tested ? 2.Water inside the right front light housing, keep in mind car not even serviced yet. 3.Opps factory forgot to put floor mats in this baby..Come on Lincoln ! 4.While test driving the LS sounds as if someone left a set of keys inside the drivers door..Great rattles Lincoln ! Still not delivered. 5.While test driving the LS computer screaming at me to change A/C filter and 0% oil life left on the test drive. LS still in service for repairs and have not even taken delivery yet.

• 

  unreliable - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By gunman - April 29 - 10:00 am

  i have had fords and chevys on and off for years, and i thought that this time it would be reliable, i hoped, but i was wrong, after 16 years or so of owning cars ford still cant make one that is reliable it has a lot of luxary, thats nice when your sitting beside the road waiting for the tow truck, ha...

• 

  Overpriced Bucket of Bolts - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Jennifer - April 17 - 10:43 pm

  So Ive had my Navigator for about 2 yrs now and have had it in the shop at least 5 times. The most common issue was the plastic side plate where the seat controls are located. The drivers side has had to be replaced three times and the passenger once. Another annoying issue was the passenger side door. he panel keeps popping off. 3 times for this. After the 1st time it was fixed the seals began leaking. Ive now had to have the seals replaced twice. Most currently were the fan control, navigation, and transmission issues. One doesnt expect to have tranmission issues after only two yrs and paying $60K. Other minor issues include the 3rd row vent popping, and 2nd row trim pcs missing.

• 

  2002 lincoln LS v-8 - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By jeff7802 - February 3 - 10:00 am

  fit and finish on car is very poor. car has a number of rattles that the vehicle was delivered with. paint quality very poor. my local dealer takes numerous service attempts to do anything. then accomplishes nothing. if this is LINCOLNS new vehicle for my generation. car quality needs to be much better, and dealer support needs a lot of help. its no wonder ford is loosing market share.

• 

  Never again - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By kirkyrt - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this vehicle for 6 months and have already had to have 3 coils changed and the radiator fan. Not only has it been unreliable but the road noise is herendous. I can barely hear my self think. If Lincoln LS is considered to be a luxury sports car then they have a long way to go.

• 

  Bad scene - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Sy Be - December 2 - 2:03 pm

  Car came without a horn. Shortly after that, the brake system broke down and the fluid retainer leaked. Fit and finish for an expesive auto is less than acceptable. Was treated very badly by the dealer.

• 

  navigator that you can shower in :( - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By Anthony Bergen - November 29 - 8:13 pm

  My vehicle has been in the shop more than I have driven it. The sun roof drainage system does not work properly and rain water pours out of the headliner ever time it rains very heavy. The dealership is unable to correct the problem and when they attempted to do so they damaged the interior of my vehicle with grease and lack of covering the seats. I have however test driven the aviator and that looks like the way to go. Fuel economy FOR GET IT!!!! not the right time to own a navi..Look elsewhere...

• 

  Lemon Alert!!! 2017 Lincoln MKZ Reserve Hybrid - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Juliana G. - November 11 - 4:02 pm

  Weve had this car 3 months and have brought it back to be serviced 5 times. The car wouldnt start 2 times and needed roadside assistance to jump the battery. The stereo sounds great, but Sirius drops channels frequently even in well populated areas with great satellite visibility. The rear cabin light has a weird flicker/pulsating condition. Every time we bring it to the dealer for service they say they cant duplicate the problem. I took a video of the flickering light and they said thats the way it works. Thats the way it works???? A $55,000+ car that has lost charge twice and has a flickering interior light sure sounds like an electrical problem to me. They replaced my new cars battery yesterday, now its a wait and see game. Other than that, Lincoln said they cant help me. Ive never had such an experience with a new car ....ever. Now, I know why so many people buy foreign cars.