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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  Lincoln LS review - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Robert L - December 6 - 10:00 am

  The cars performance and handling is terrific..it has been a fun to drive car.

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  Never buy first model year - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By jerryb - December 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is great while under warranty 5 yr/48K miles. While the engine and power train perform well, the car was thrown together without much concern for maintenance. The climate control never works correctly, and $800 to fix, the themostat sticks $400 to repair as its under the engine(happened twice). The valve covers leak oil and it $400 to replace gaskets as all sorts of stuff has to be removed to get at it. The window regulators are cheap plastic and break($200 to fix). Heated seats broke twice. Back of seat panel falls off, Great looking car, just sell it or get an extended warranty before it runs out.

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  Delight and Surprise - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Robert K Weidner - November 22 - 3:20 pm

  A classy looking car on the outside with a classic Lincoln looking interior design, very nice. Comforable seats with nice sporty feel and drive. Not my former BMW 330 CI, but very enjoyable ownership experience. Reliability is outstanding. Lincoln has changed for the better. I would recommend to others!

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  Wow - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By lumby - November 19 - 5:45 am

  Recently picked up a 2000 ls v8 with sport package. The car is as clean as a whistle. Ive owned bmw, mercedes, jaguar, saab, acura, infinitis, dodges, fords, chevys.....this is in my top 5 of cars... Beautiful looking, and that slight growl of the v8 under the hood hits a perfect note. The seats are comfortable yet supproting, the stereo is amazing, the cockpit feel is amazing.In fact my last bmw was a 2000 540i and believe the acceleration on the lincoln is peppier and more refined. I would never buy one new, but for a mere $2300 for this car, you really cannot go wrong. If you want some fun, refinement, and not look like too pretentious this is the ride. You must make sure its clean!

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  happy i bought it - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Mary Ann - November 18 - 8:40 pm

  I like lincolns especially the town cars- my father always said they were well built and comfortable. He was 100% right. The ride is great and it feels like you are being hugged in safety.

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  Loving To Use Regular Gas - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Tedd Dee Bear - November 16 - 10:00 am

  This car was great on our family trip to Chicago, Illinois from Buffalo, New York. In spite of the fact that it had the interior look of a senior citizens car, the ride was a dream. Five passengers were comfortable on the 12 hour trip!!

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  Wonderful car with great MPG - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By jimma - November 14 - 2:30 am

  2013 MKZh , Driving this for a year and half. Was very concerned about buying a Lincoln as I always drove Honda Accords coups (EXL) for last 20 years. I am completely satisfied with this car. I get 39 - 41 mpg , my 4cyl. stick Accord was getting 30. The car handles better than I thought and has enough power for any road situations , I drive turnpikes and large highways and have no trouble entering on ramps and passing large trucks. At 22,000 miles I still get a kick getting into the car.

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  2003 Aviator - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Shady - November 9 - 10:03 am

  We bought this used with 24,000 miles. So far it has been pretty good. Only issues are seat climate controls that keep failing, a loose drivers seat, and a bit of corrosion on the top, inside edge of the rear liftgate (same spot as our 98 Explorer). The brake rotors also seem like they need replacement. Control illumination is amazingly high-tech looking, but some knobs and controls dont feel smooth when operated. Overall a well built SUV with a lot of nice features. We were most impressed with the innovations, like thicker windows, that reduce noise. It has many features that make it a much improved version of the Explorer, which is what we owned previously

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  Perfect but Pricey - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By lepruchan - November 9 - 9:40 am

  Fantastic car, very safe feeling driving because its so big and weighs so much. All the bells and whistles. Captains chairs in second row provide absolute comfort for passengers. You can live in this car. Sad about resale value. My car lost $21K in 13 months? The car lacks nothing, but good gas mileage. Hurricanes could blow around this car and you wouldnt hear or feel them.

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  SUV- Super Utility Vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ColtsFan1 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle meets my expectations and I like the luxury and comfort. I have a few issues, but no road stoppers.