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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  Give American made a chance, like we did. - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By Carrie - April 15 - 8:25 pm

  We are very happy with our 2016 MKX Black Label, former Lexus/Acura owners of many years. Test drove Infinitis(multiple SUVs), Lexus RX, Acura MDX ... RDX, Mercedes GLK and GLE...also Audi Q5. We then decided to check out the 2016 Lincoln MKX. All the previously mentioned vehicles are very nice but found the MKX much quieter, a joy to drive and the REVEL sound system may be better then the Mark Levinson sound system found in the RX. The REVEL blew my mind at the pure sound. We were also very pleased with the softer ride and rarely any engine noise which were very noticeable in the RX, Mercedes and most especially the Infinit (QX50, JX60 and the small Infiniti SUV). The MKX is the most wonderful ride we have ever experienced. I rarely hear any rode noise or the sound of vehicle right next to us...due to the noise cancellation found thru-out the MKX. The seats in the Black Label are 22 way both driver and passenger side. The head room is great. My husband is 67" and this and the Mercedes were the roomiest and most comfortable for him. The back seat is quite roomy as is the cargo area. We have the new SYNC 3 which is very easy to operate and I find it easy to figure out and operate. My only complaint is the gas mileage which is normal for an SUV of almost 4500 lbs(18 miles to the gallon our tech informed us). I am a former Lexus GS sedan and there is quite a difference in gas usage. This vehicle is pure joy to drive. We find ourselves wanting to use it on weekends now versus my husbands truck.

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  My 99 Town Car - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By TomR. - April 13 - 7:33 am

  Traded in a 96 Cont. for the Town Car to get a better ride and comfort level. I have owned 1 other Town Car and 2 Cont. This Town Car is nice to drive and is great when you need room for more then two people and luggage for long trips.

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  Great driving SUV - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By targa - April 5 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. I test drove all the luxury SUVs and it was between this and the Lexus GX470. The selling point was the sound system in the Lincoln and the TGX470 had no heat controls in the back for my son! I looked at the Mercedes, Volvo, BMW and Durango. The Aviator won! but I hate the vibrating noise when the windows are open and the driver seat is a bit uncomfortable for me on long trips.

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  nice car - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Leonard Delarue - April 5 - 10:00 am

  this car has a great ride and handles somewhat like a sport car. i love the looks of the car (its the option white that cost an additional $400) and other people must also like the looks also because it turns a lot of heads. there is some slight road noise inside the cabin.

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  Second time around - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By nvbanker - April 5 - 10:00 am

  My first Navigator was a 99. After 5 totally trouble free years and 65,000 miles, I had to have the new 03 with the schnazzy interior. This truck is a much nicer design, with the 4 wheel independent suspension, the power folding flat 3rd row seats, and the unique interior. Its not as bulletproof as the 99 was for total trouble free ownership, but all the little glitches are minor, not functional. The 04s are a bit better I hear. I am very satisfied still, and havent seen anything Id rather have for the money, or size, yet.

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  Design for cold? No - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Roger C - April 1 - 3:46 pm

  Four months of driving and I still have problems with knocked knee caps on the dash. I took it in hoping that there was a recall on the tail gate lifting cylinders as any time below 32 degrees it only lifts 3/4 open. Slow learner took me two head knocks to remember to push up to load, so I have to open back gate before taking things out of the house. My Town and Country does not have this problem. Dealer said it works when in the shop and would do nothing to fix the problem. As a new stock holder I hate to write this but as a tax payer I more understand why some companies should go out of business.

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  The Antithesis of my BMW... in a good way! - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By 1speedbike - April 1 - 9:08 am

  I currently own a modified turbo BMW but I wanted a classy, comfortable and reliable car that I can just drive without attracting (the wrong) attention. The TC delivers because its just the opposite of my BMW. Relaxed (not lazy) large V8 vs high strung turbo 6. Soft comfy suspension vs stiff "feel every bump" coil-overs. Easy to work on, cheap parts vs convoluted (genius though it may be) design with expensive parts. While my 2-door BMW is truly a great sports car, and I love everything about it, sometimes I just want to CHILL OUT while driving. The trunk easily swallows a mini-fridge and more, and RWD is always a win for me. 160K w only minor issues. I love both cars for different reasons

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  10 year track record with LS - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Old Guy - March 28 - 1:53 am

  I am about to sell my LS. It has 246,564 m. Not all perfect, but, it is the best car I owned. 3 transm. The first after 19 miles The second after 79,000. If considering an LS with an original transm and it changes hard, run away. They made a design change because the third transmission is smooth and winds out really nicely. I always used synthetic oil, had typical failures. Believe it or not it has the original spark plugs and muffler. Changed tires to Michlins. First set had 120,000. Current 101,000 m. It is good buy for a sedan with a V8. V8s cost an extra 10 grand today. I have put off buying new because I could not find something I liked as well. May buy MKS w/V6. I love V8s.

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  Nice Ride - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Tom - March 27 - 7:16 am

  MKX is designed with style. The exterior design is eye catching. Nice front grill, adaptive headlamps, heated mirrors, chrome 18" wheels are great to see. The interior is well done. LED lighting, wood trim, A/C and heated seats are nice. Low cabin noise is a plus. The power lift gate is excellent. Memory seats are worth every penny!! Handles nice especially on an open road. Even though the seats are hard it is a comfortable ride.

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  One Nagging Problem - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By JOHN - March 19 - 9:53 am

  Great car to drive, and reasonably trouble free except for the coil on plug ignition packs and valve cover gaskets. Ford will only replace the coil as they go bad and Ive replaced 6 or the 8 under the extended warranty at $100 a pop. Ford refuses to fix the leaking gaskets unless the owner specifically complains and even then they will only fix the side where the coil goes bad even if both sides leak. 03 and 04 models have a CSP from Ford extending warranty to 10yr./100000 mi. Owners of the 01 and 02 LSs need to start complaining to Ford. I hear that the V-6 also has this problem.