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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  good - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By rz - November 7 - 10:00 am

  good vehicle and fun but a little tight interior wise for a big person

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  Looks nice, very rough trans - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Marc - November 7 - 6:53 am

  My Zephyr looks great. I put 20" rims and low profile tires from the start and the car looks great. The tires the dealer sold me were horrible (Nitto) but I replaced them with Michelins that are much better. Car is comfortable and rides fairly well on the freeway. I always get people telling me they love how it looks too. The biggest problem is the transmission and the poor fuel economy. The transmission has been poor from the start, with very jerky upshifting almost predictable when trying to accelerate from a rolling 40 MPH. The transmission actually jerks so hard that the car almost comes off the ground. I am really not looking forward to that repair bill that come inevitably.

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  Finally a good American Car - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By V8 in FL - November 6 - 10:13 pm

  Have put 40000 miles on my LS in 2 years. It is great. Have only had to take it in to have the AC head unit replaced, and then just GTO (gas, tires and oil) for the rest. It still handles great, and i get about 20 MPG driving a mix of city and highway every day. Just a great car.

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  2007 MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Fly Boy - November 4 - 11:43 am

  Excellent vehicle. Its truly enjoyable to drive. I made my first highway trip and felt refreshed after a full day. I found the dual heater zones to be more effective than in other cars Ive owned.

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  My Dream Car - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By suzan - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I just love this car...... I hope it last forever....... I would buy the same one again.....

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  Lincoln Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By R. M. Johnson - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Great preformance, handling, and finish

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  My Most Comfortable Car - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Lisa - November 3 - 7:10 am

  Bought the car with only 24K on it. Didnt need front brakes until 85K, rear brakes at 130K (lots of highway miles in my business). This was the best designed car for comfort and ease of driving that I have ever owned. Everything can be adjusted to wherever you want it for all circumstances by whomever was driving. Being a somewhat small woman, I particularly appreciated being able to position the drivers seat so I had ultimate visibility yet all operational controls were still readily at hand, even the cup holders and ashtray. Other than routine maintenance, repairs werent needed until 135K. Last 15K saw rear air springs and compressor, fuel filter, external brake lines,etc. Great car!

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  My New LSE Flat Out ROCKS! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Jasen - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Had a few as rentals over the past year and was more than impressed, time and time again. Last time I drove it, decided to turn in the keys of my BWM 535i. More than happy with this car. Ford has done an amazing job in putting this together. Keep finding more and more people features that amaze me and how this car was thought out. Amazing performance as well. Love driving this more than the BMW.

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  Very nice car - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Johnny - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my LS now for about 11 months and have loved it from the start - exceptional handling and sharp looking for an American 4d sedan. However, I probably would not consider this car again. For $40k I expect more than what I got - performance, service, sound system, features, attention to details on fit and finish. Lincoln just does not provide a reason for me to buy another one in 6-8 years.

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  Nothing Stops My MKZ - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By azucks - October 31 - 1:34 pm

  I have over 25000 miles on this car and have yet to have a problem. This car is the most reliable and unstoppable car that i have ever owned. I live in NJ and have little country cottages up in upstate NY and going up those hills in a foot of snow and driving through the mud, sand, dirt, and grass has never posed a problem for my MKZ AWD. The AWD system is so advanced sometimes i think it does better than my LR4. The car is amazing in the bad weather and the engine is quite powerful. It is not a rocketship but its no slow poke either. Very few people will use the AWD system like i do for example i went up dirt/mud covered roads yesterday but it is still a nice accessory to have.