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:

• 

  Lincoln Zephyr...nice car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Davey - May 2 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Lincoln after frustration with other makes. Hard to find good front seats. The Lincoln has them and offers power adjustments for driver AND passenger. The car is relatively quiet. I like the handling, trunk space, and ride. Oh, and the analog clock is a neat touch. Youd expect to run this on premium. Guess again. Only a couple minor gripes. The plastic in the gear box is cheap feeling, and Id expect a locking fuel door. Some, I suspect will not like the moving center console deck. Its well padded, but moves fore and aft and cant be locked in place. Overall, a fine car. Glad to be back with Ford.

• 

  Solid and reliable - 1998 Lincoln Navigator
  By Long time owner - April 30 - 10:00 am

  As I begin thining about moving up to a newer model, I hesitate to give up this solid truck with nice features and great towing capabilites. The ride is a bit on the truck side, but if you need a vehicle that can pull the boat with ease, inspire confidence on snow covered roads, and give you a comanding view of the road, this is a good choice. Fuel economy seems right in the ballpark for a vehicle of this type, averaging just over 15 mpg, but can get higher in freeway driving.

• 

  2010 MKS - 2010 Lincoln MKS
  By BrianF - April 10 - 10:46 pm

  I just recently purchased the 2010 MKS with EcoBoost; and thus far I am satisfied. I highly suggest getting MKS with EcoBoost. The 3.5 liter twin turbo engine gives the MKS the power it needs. The base engine is okay, but once you test drive this car with the EcoBoost, you will not go with the base engine. Quality is excellent inside and out.

• 

  Great Car, Terrible Once Things Go Wrong - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By poserscenemokid - April 3 - 10:00 am

  My first car, I bought my car for 3k with 168k miles on it. Ran fine for a week. Then things started to go, catalytic converters, the ac/heat (combined total of ~1200). The stereo went, and an aftermarket double din will not fit. All new rotors and pads; other than that, the car has been great, highway drive is amazing, my friends are jealous (they love driving it as well), sound system is great, heat is hot and the air is cold. I would buy another one, probably a Cartier with fewer miles. I did look at an 05 town car and it was nothing like the 96. Personal opinion, best year for the car.

• 

  Long Run with the LSV8 - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Terry Gannon - March 30 - 12:16 pm

  Bought the LS Sport with V8 loaded when it was a year old from turned out to be disreputable Lincoln dealer in Gainsville,FL. After I got home noticed right front door slight different color shade than rest of car. Round and round with lying dealer, had to pay for repaint. Lincoln is the worst of dealers. In 4 times for door rattle, and never fixed. Door window failures, door lock replaced. Replaced 7 of 8 ignition coils, one at a time each visit, Lincoln would not fix all at once. Getting ready to trade it in with 97k, it has been a good friend. WILL NEVER BUY LINCOLN AGAIN. Looking at my FIRST import ever owned at age 62, Accura TL, cant fight the US made fight any longer, I surrender.

• 

  2014 MKZ 2.0 with the Reserve Group - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By benetodog - March 28 - 7:49 am

  This is my first American car; I have had Jaguars, a VW, Mercedes and Audis. I test drove a Cadillac, an Acura, a Lexus, an Audi and an Infiniti before I ended up at my local Lincoln dealer. At first I really liked the size of the car and it drove as nice or better that the before mentioned. I thought the interior was really modern and the exterior was as handsome as anything else out there. I have only had the car for a month. I hated maintaining my last black car, so I wish I had waited for the color I wanted. I got a black one with the 19” painted grey wheels, it kind of looks like something Darth Vader might drive. I hate being in a dirty car, I have been dusting every day.

• 

  Fun Car, Stylish, not worth the Repairs - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By notsoavgcarguy - March 25 - 10:32 am

  Where to start? I bought this car used back in 2008 with about 70,000 miles on it. I loved it when I bought it - excellent power, quick, superb handling, beautiful car inside and out. Then it started to drain my account. Once it hit 90,000 miles it started to fall apart. I had to replace the front ball joints, $1,000. Because its a Jag with a Lincoln brand, youre paying for foreign parts along with extremely high labor due to its tight fit and weird part locations under the hood. You should know this up front. Coils and Valve Cover Gaskets ran me about $1,000. Air bag light was always on though I never bothered to have that checked out. I babied this car and it just took my money.

• 

  Beware Long-Term owners of the LS! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Michael Lawlor - March 12 - 7:46 pm

  The long term ownership experience of this vehicle falls of rapidly. This car is great for the first 2 years if you can put up with the lousy gas mileage. Beyond that, youre taking your chances because the cost of ownership goes through the roof due to intermittent but nagging repairs.

• 

  Little old ladys car - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By R. Glenn - March 9 - 10:23 am

  Bought this from a retired lady (sons mother-in-law), had low mileage. Ran great, rode great, until air suspension went on fritz, now bottoms and rides rough; speed control quit; sensors say w/w fluid always low, even when full; plastic intake manifold split (now find this is very common!), dumping coolant, required tow to repair shop.

• 

  What more do you really need - 2011 Lincoln MKZ
  By penpat2020 - March 7 - 2:01 pm

  I bought this 2011 Lincoln MKZ used with just over 23,000 miles for under $20k! Car has everything you could want in a luxury car, leather, 10 speaker surround sound, rear-back up, navigation with Sync and bluetooth, chrome, etc. For a car of similar size and quality in its class you would easily be paying $7-12k more. Value is unbeatable. As for drive quality, I have test-drove an A4, TL, C300, and 328i as well as previously owned a Cadillac CTS. They all had their quirks and pros and cons. This car stands up to all of them. It may not be the best of the best, but the value in the package is unbeatable.