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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  excellent Navagator - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By brookswa - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The only complaint.....gas mileage

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  Great! - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By New Lincoln Owner - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I love this thing! Interior design stunning and fit and finish are excellent.

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  Great Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By azbmw18 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  After owning our BMWs decided to take on chance on tis car after an extended test drive. 3 years later I still love this car. Numerous long trips confirms this is drivers car.

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  Lincoln T.C is also safest car in U.S. - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By AUBIGJOE - September 5 - 11:20 am

  They score 5 in all categories. In my opinion they are the best car made. I have owned 8 since 1985 and have never had anything go wrong or not work and the only money I have spent on them is for Oil and Filter changes. No brakes, no batteries,no tires, no anything has been required on any of them.I have been retired and not driven the 2004 much. The others,I used in my business and drove them 60k to 70k before I traded. Their list price is high--but you can buy on for cash for about 70% drive out the door.

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  MKC made a Lincoln man out of me! - 2015 Lincoln MKC
  By newlincolnman - September 4 - 10:14 pm

  Those that think the MKC is just a gussied up Escape are making a big mistake. My wife has an Infiniti EX35 and this competes very well in all facets. The ride is luxury in a European way and seems bigger and even heavier than you expect but in a very good way. Synch seems to be surprisingly better than my first experience and this is the best Bluetooth phone quality in any car I have experienced. If you are looking for a small luxury SUV, you should make time to test drive an MKC.

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  SAFETY FIRST!!! - 2009 Lincoln Town Car
  By Dr. Robert Adkins - September 3 - 8:06 am

  We have owned Lincoln Town Cars for over 40 years. Never have experienced a disablement nor failure of any type. Yes, there are lots of more "modern" passenger car - all are built like drink cans - Unitized bodies that have minimal side-crash safety. The TOWN CAR and its two less expensive siblings are constructed as BODY-On-FRAME. This important safty construction (the frame is outboard (under the doors) is also utilized by Rolls Royce and Bently! See all the Ford Crown Victorias used as Polce Cars and Taxies - Safety is a major reason!

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  Nice but... - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By john - September 3 - 2:50 am

  Not a bad car but, the Lincoln LS had a lot more going for it. Where is the power articulating steering wheel? Why doesnt the "Easy Exit" go all the way back? Any kind of pull down for the trunk would be welcomed. The front of the headliner across the windshield seems to be missing a trim piece. Its kind of raggedy along the edge. No AC vents for the back seat. Even my VW has that. Mileage seems par for the niche. I do like the ride, and I like the look of it. Not a bad car just fell short here and there. Still a good buy for the price.

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  Glens Take - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Spoon - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I was one of the 1st customers to own a LS in April 1999 on a two year lease. This car was terrible with all the system (computer) and fuel problems I encountered. The car was labeled a lemon. I complained a total of 10 times to district reps. Finally, they gave and offered me another model of the same car in a 2001 version. I excepted. This is a wonder if it had some more get up and go. What a shame! Overall I should have waited for the LS-8.

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  Won Over By This One - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Doug Bunnell - September 2 - 4:33 am

  We have never been Ford product fans, but fell in love with the MKX at our local auto show in Nov. This was 5 months after we purchased a 2008 Lexus RX350, which is our 7th Lexus. The Lexus was for my wife and I traded in my convertible after falling in love with the MKX. We both love the MKX. It is much more comfortable on long trips than the RX. My wife took the MKX over and I drive the RX to and from work. We get many positive comments on the MKX. We have the black with the 20" chrome wheels. The Sync is awesome and much, much better than the similar system in the RX. We love the Vista roof and all the goodies. Im pretty confused when the "critics" call this inferior!

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  Navigator - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By angel - August 31 - 6:43 pm

  I love everything about the Navigator so far .The navigation system is easy to use and understandable, so is the rear seat DVD. The ride quality and quietness is exceptional even with this 20 wheels. The quality of the materials and the luxury it offers swallows you into this incredible vehicle. The power step assist are great, nice touch and just about everything this car has to offer was well though out, planned, and executed to produce the 2007 Lincoln Navigator, an amazing full size SUV.