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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  Purely Awesome - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By Pandora - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This truck has great features and georgoues interior. I wish the exterior was easier to tell apart from the 2002. The interior is a huge improvement.

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  Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By AviatorLover - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Aviator. Picked it up a week or two ago and its been great. I love the navigation system because it offers so many features. I got the Ultimate Series because I liked the name. LOL!! I think this vehicle is wonderful. The seating is superb unlike the Explorer!!

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  Lincoln LS longterm - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By rgolewis - August 5 - 2:10 pm

  I have had my ls for 30,000 miles it now has 51,000 on it and the repair costs are starting to add up. Valve covers leak oil onto the exhaust manifold $450. Thermostat $330. Dealer took care of heated seats and window regulators while the car was under warranty. I think that most ls owners have had these same problems and if not will in the future. To bad ford has not taken care of these known problems or improve on the newer models. Overall the car handles and looks great. Fun to drive on trips best on winding mountain roads.

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  A Quality Car All Around - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By Randy M. - August 4 - 10:56 pm

  I have enjoyed this car from the very moment I purchased it. The 2002 Lincoln Continental is truely deserving of its name. The responsiveness, econony, and comfort of the car in its class is nothing less of superb. While driving, the car is smooth and fairly quiet on even the noisiest highways. Handling the car on curves and corners, especially at higher speeds, does bring out the cars size, but is handled rather well with its electronic suspension system. It may not be a hot rod, but its not your dads Continental either! If you get one of these cars, make sure you get it with all the options, since this car is no longer available. All in all, this car is a good buy!

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  smooth operator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By dmoses - July 31 - 10:00 am

  i love my aviator easy to handle very comfrotable smooth ride

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  Rattles & Mirrors - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By MarkNLynch - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Navigator. The drivers side rear door has rattled since the vehicle was new. They have tried to fix it unsuccessfully many times. The passenger side view mirror does not return to the correct position after repositioning when backing up. This is a serious safety hazard because you dont realize the mirror is not in the right place until you need it. Air conditioner output is not adequate for North Carolina.

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  aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By charles - July 31 - 12:06 am

  the dealer said once I drive it it would be hard to go back, I owned two escape before going to the aviator, he was right, I liked it from the git go, still fun to drive, no plan on getting rid of it even if its a discontinued model, one of the side curtain sensors failed fully covered, otherwise no problems, would I buy it again you bet.

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  quirky - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By m_yount - July 14 - 1:33 pm

  I bought this car about 2 years ago. It has just the right balance of sport and luxury. I can get into traffic as quickly as I need, and It also has a very comfy ride.

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  Outstanding Automobile - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
  By Wisegy123 - July 14 - 1:03 pm

  This is my fourth Town Car and I love it. I have found the Lincolns to be very reliable with superior quality. It is a very comfortable vehicle to drive. I have owned BMWs and Mercedes Benzs, but I keep coming back to the Town Car. I find them more economical to maintain and repair without sacrificing luxury and quality. I would recommend the car to anyone. After our first one, it is the only make of car that my wife wants to own.

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  I love it, but its cursed - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Kristy - July 9 - 8:16 pm

  Keep in mind, I have bought it with 178,000 miles on it at a very good price. Nothing but problems so far. I have barely been able to drive it. The transmission was bad. Replaced rack and pinions, all front control arms, hydraulic fan, hydraulic pump, power steering pump, and drivers side window regulator. Im hoping after the control arms are replaced I will be able to finally drive it. Plus, my air bag light is on. Also, my check engine light is on due to a leak in a HVac hose somewhere. All I say is keep up with the maintenance on this car.