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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  little problems - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By pam - October 5 - 11:30 am

  I bought my aviator used it had 22,000 miles. I love it. No big problems. Replaced a coil after 106,000 miles. The dash board lights some times go on & off, but easy to deal with.

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  New and Happy - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By bluebushi1971 - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Just bought it and loving it. Classy and sophisticated. Fuel economy is to be expected due to large engine and vehicle size.

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  Buyers Remorse - 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  By pacman2044 - September 30 - 7:11 am

  So I needed a new business car before my trip to Asia and I didnt do a lot of research or comparison shopping. I had heard that Ford had improved their vehicles and so i bit the MKZ because I loved the way it looked. What a mistake. I purchased the FWD with the 2.0 engine and 19 wheels. The front wheel drive is not smooth and luxurious. You can feel every bump in the road. When you press hard on the gas you hear the engine make high pitched sounds. Already had the "check adaptive headlights" and less than 3k miles. The turn single control is flimsy and already broke. Now granted the loaner MKZ they gave me was loaded with AWD and the 2.0 engine.. much better ride then the FWD

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  2000 Lincoln LS 5 Speed - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By baahsten - September 28 - 5:30 pm

  I bought it used in 2001 with 5,700 miles on it. Had a bad clutch at 17,000 miles. Many mechanical problems under 5/70 warranty too. Another clutch and new flywheel at 57,000 miles ($1,600). Had Catalyst converter replaced under mandatory federal laws at 62,000 miles. Replaced defective PCV hose at 68,000 miles. (You gotta take intake off to get to it) Difficult to work on engine however nice to drive. This is the longest car I owned, Kept it because its an 5 Speed manual. However thinking of trading it in.

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  Pure Excellence - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Lindsey - September 28 - 6:20 am

  This SUV is more than amazing. The luxury and capability is just awesome. It drives like a sports car and handles is so smooth and luxurious, I dont even want to complain about the gas mileage. It is not a commuter that is for sure. We just bought it and have been fighting over who gets to drive it everyday since. 50k Miles and drives better than the new Caddy DTS! Love it!

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  The Perfect Commuter Car - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By Michael Lincoln - September 27 - 11:41 am

  This is a comfortable and reliable car to get you to work each day. It does not excel at anything and is very predictable. The exception is the Sync infotainment. Specifically the Applink function is hit or miss each day. I can blame my cellphone as it updates itself weekly or monthly, and Sync never updates. However, it always fixes itself when you disconnect the battery and reconnect. Other than that, I recommend you get this model used as it somehow depreciates to a lower amount than the same year Fusion, which it is based on. Maintain it and keep it clean. Lastly, use all the money you save with zero repairs and get a nice sports car, motorcycle, or boat you can have fun with on the weekends. Update 9-11-16: It is still a great car. Sync is a dud - at least Bluetooth works. Cant be bothered with disconnecting battery cable. Paint and interior holding up perfectly. Very quiet, very comfortable. Handling not as great as a BMW but did not pay alot for the car. No repairs - definitely a keeper. Update 9-12-17: Still a very good car. Sync is better since I installed a software update. Applink still bad, but at least now, Bluetooth connections will display song and artist. I have replaced the battery and tires. No problems in snow with Michelin Premier tires and AWD. Aside from oil changes, thats it. I would really like a new Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Shaker Hood as a play car - but hard to justify since this car has everything I NEED, just not everything I WANT.

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  Just what I wanted - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By M.Ashford - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I am very please with this car. Very stable on the road. Stops on a dime and accelerates even better when needed. The LS is the prefect blend of sport and luxury without selling your first born to own it. Star Lincoln Mercury ( southfield, MI ) ROCKS. If you are in the area ask for Louis Peirce... best damn salesman that is "not a saleman.

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  Good Large American Sedan - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By steven7753 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 50,000 miles at one quarter of the original new price- i.e., ten grand for a 40 grand car with 50,000 miles. So far it has been a great large sedan. I wanted a large comfortable car with front wheel drive to commute in and for frequent trips where I take people and "stuff"...have put 16,000 miles on it and only brake work so far and transmission fluid changes...

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  Change for the sake of change, 2004 Nava - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By alanmc - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I love my Navigator except the interior. The predcessors interior was perfect; but it is as if it was redesigned purely for the sake of change! The driver windows controls on the center console; on a bright day, you cant see the information readouts [the white lettering is virtually invisible,even at night without taking your focus off the road]; the console lid makes access to the console contents very difficult; the power outlet is out of reach of the driver; and what idiot assumed that just because you want to play CDs that you dont need a tape player? Since the interior is where I spend my time, my next SUV will be an Esclade!

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  Wonderful MKZ - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By wenol7 - September 26 - 9:40 am

  This vehice has it all. 285 horses under the hood, and all the comfort you could expect from a Lincoln. It is a Joy to drive.