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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  Great Price for what you Get! - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By KJ Prod - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Great power, quiet inside, feels solid, Looks great! And lots of standard features.

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  I like it! - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By SHANNON - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I put a tremendous amount of mileage on this vehicle and it has performed beautifully - never had to open the engine up - just normal replacement. currently the odometer reads 330,984 miles. Believe it or not!

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  2005 Town Car - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Doug - August 28 - 2:00 am

  At 66" in height I am very pleased with front seat room and comfort. The Town Car has an outstanding quiet and comfortable ride. Very nice fit and finish both inside and out.

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  LOVE MY HOT ROD LINCOLN - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By Don Spry - August 27 - 10:56 pm

  I bought this car in Arizona in summer, 2008. It had 85k on it. It was during the time of rising gas prices at $4/gallon and paid $5000. Having never owned a Lincoln, I thought now was the time to give it a whirl. The car is stunning to look at - with a Southwest Edition update. Folks tell me regularly how beautiful it looks. It is red, cream interior,cream faux convertable top, wrapped in chrome, and has some faux gold trim too. Very fetching. I have now driven the car 35k. Only problem was a minor sensor with the tranny that cost $10. The vehicle average about 20 mpg, which is okay for me. Biggest problem I have with it is the suspension. It bottoms HARD.

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  Arctic test - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By NORTHPOLERMIKE - August 27 - 9:16 pm

  6200 miles since Dec 1 mostly during harsh,cold(-50F)rough road trips. This vehicle handles OK on ice & snow,tracks well & stops better than 2003 4Runner. But it rides rough at -20 and below, maybe due to monotube shocks and tires. Had the drivers heated seat go out; replaced unitis intermittent.Great power going through the mountains.Leg and hip room are a little tight in the cockpit. Instruments are well lit, easy to read,and laid out smart. The tranny is smooth; accelerates on demand. Leg room in the 2nd row quad chairs is lacking; on an 800 mile/23hr roundtrip hr 1 passenger was so uncomfortable he had to crawl into the rear benchseat to stretch out;2nd row needs to move back 3 inches!

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  Highway cruiser - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Frank - August 25 - 11:20 pm

  I drive a lot of highway miles for work and wanted a car that would make that as painless as possible. This car has met every expectation I had. Great ride, fun technology, great sound system, bluetooth and sync work flawlessly. The transmission needs some work and a few more miles per gallon on the highway, this car would be perfect.

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  2002 Lincoln LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By apdem - August 24 - 11:10 pm

  The car is wonderful. The V6 has plenty of power and the handling is excellent. The Alpine audio system is first rate. Very comfortable interior, but could use more interior storage space.

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  great car - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By leonard oldfield - August 22 - 6:26 pm

  just a great car. big and strong ideal for driving in a city like naples fl where the majority of cars are big. excellent car for long trips on major roads. lots of space and power for hauling "stuff".

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  Navigator #2 - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By bk183 - August 21 - 3:56 pm

  I like the look of the Escalade a little better but after test driving 3 different then the 05 Navigator there was no comparison. The Navigator out handled, was quieter, smoother ride, and just easier to drive. Big improvement over my 01 which was no slouch. I have to say, so far this is the best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Experience the Lincoln Drive - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By LINCOLN DRIVER - August 21 - 9:40 am

  After looking at the LS models,we are very happy with purchasing the 2001 LS V8 Lincoln Automatic 4-Door.Great handling, good highway manners! Sorry the manufacture has disconituned this model.