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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  Depends on the day... - 1999 Lincoln Navigator
  By CatMcM121 - July 3 - 4:06 pm

  Most days I really enjoy the navigator. Other days I want to kick myself for buying it. While I got it at a steal for 10G last year with 65k miles, I got it right when gas prices skyrocketed, my fault, as was not paying attention to the sound/alarm/entertainment systems (aftermarket and CHEAP). It drives beautifully, but what irks me is the odometer that appears/disapppears randomly, the "growling" noise it makes (something to do with suspension, happens when the car is off! talk about the strange looks I get...), back wiper dead, seat heater doesnt work. Other than these problems, its fine. Tough to drive in the city. Great for long trips if you can afford getting only 18 mpg highway

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  Fantastic Used Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Noreen - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Had this car for only a month, but admired co-workers for a year. She adores hers and, so far, I feel the same. Immediately had a problem with headlight retaining water after car was washed, but it was still under original warranty, so dealer had it replaced pronto. Car handles beautifully, V8 is quick to respond, great trunk space including rear fold-down seats, lots of cool dash features that I havent completely learned yet, quiet and smooth ride for its size. I have noticed it to be a sexy head-turner, even though it is exceedingly elegant. Car is everything I hoped it would be.

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  john - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By johng - June 22 - 3:00 pm

  Enjoyed the pick up and reliability of the vehicle. the pearl finish was excellent except for some paint peeling on the door bumpers. The select areas for fiberglass was a good choice and eliminated any potential rust areas. The auto recall on the seats was enormously helpful since Ive driven some without.

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  Look elsewhere - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By T. Ross - June 22 - 9:00 am

  This is a replacement of a Murano, and a lexus RX before that. I bought it for the clean crisp look and wanted to try a domestic again. Wrong! After only 6500 miles, it has been in the shop four times. The satellite radio/nav went out, transmission has a noticable "clunk" when shifting at slow speeds between 5-8 mph, and a brake sensor went out. The dealer cant find or duplicate the tranny problem but I feel it everyday. Im getting rid of this car and am looking for a replacement with the Infinity FX or Acura MDX. Im done with the domestics if this is the best they can do.

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  Improvement over previous years - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
  By Trader - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Car rides stiffer, have more feel for the road. Car stays on track better, and pretty much level/flat response to road bumps. Interior nicer looking, front end also classier.

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  windows - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By anc - May 26 - 2:23 am

  the exact same thing happened to my rear windows as the previous review. The windows have been fixed 4 times-first it was a cable then the dealer said an electronic sending unit. No matter the building quality is still ford.

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  New (gently used rather) MKS for Me - 2010 Lincoln MKS
  By turbo_nut - May 23 - 2:28 am

  Brought home my MKS a couple of weeks ago, and so far have only good things to say. The car looks great, and is a pleasure to drive. From the excellent power of the twin turbo v-6 to the well appointed interior, its just about everything I was looking for in a luxury sedan. I purchased the Tuxedo Black version, and once I had the windows tinted out, it made the car look complete. Overall, Im very happy with this purchase. Just a note, if youre looking for a sport luxury sedan, this isnt the car for you. If youre after a well appointed cruiser that rides like a dream, then I would suggest checking out the MKS

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  great suv - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By ultimate - May 20 - 7:23 am

  my 98 was nice but this one is great! i tow 6000 lbs. and it handles the task without complaining. sold my 98 with 173k miles with only regular service, alternator, air ride compressor and a coil pak. i call that not bad.

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  So - so - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Mike L - May 11 - 8:50 pm

  We have had our Towncar for 3 years and it will be my retirement car. My wife and I really like the car with a few exceptions. We feel a lux. car like the Lincoln should have a softer leather. Ours has very hard leather which makes it somewhat uncomfortable on trips, slippery, stiff, etc.. My biggest objection with the car is the mushy ride and the way the car floats on corners. I had a Thunderbird before with 258K miles and I loved the handling package, made you feel like you had control of the car, not vice versa. I have a pickup that I drive 35000 mile a year and I feel safer with the handling than the Lincoln. Also had a bunch of intermittent electrical issues. But, still love the car.

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  2011 Lincoln MKZ - 2012 Lincoln MKZ
  By jbradsh1 - May 11 - 6:54 am

  I test drove the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan and then drove the MKZ. What a difference! The Lincoln has a larger 3.5 L V-6 so it has more power. It is VERY QUIET unlike the Ford and Mercury. Its steering is perfectly smooth and doesnt want to jump back to straight and level after a turn. All the controls are Lincoln smooth so its a real pleasure to drive this car. I drove the hybrid MKZ but its ride was much firmer, too firm actually, it was a deal breaker for me. My MKZ was the base model which is so well equipped I didnt need any other options at all. The Lincoln dealer gave me $4K off the sticker price so at $31.5K its a real bargain in my opinion. I love it.