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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  First on the Block - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By M J H - August 8 - 10:46 am

  Just picked up our new Zephyr. Great looking car. Front wheel drive was the major appeal and we found much more. There are only a handful of options to choose, so fully loaded you are looking at about $35,000. Compared to my Mercedes S500 it doesnt have all the bells & whistles, but it has heated & cooled front seats, a great audio system, and a navigation system at less than half the price. They were even offering incentives. You cant ask for more on a new model!

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  First impressions of 2002 LS8 Sport - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Longtime Ford man - August 8 - 10:00 am

  First impression after owning my 2002 LS8 sport one week and driving it 600 miles. I have experimented with the SelectShift transmission in various situations and so far it has performed well. I have not experienced the problems that I see mentioned frequently in reviews. If I shift it as one would normally do with a manual when RPMs are at a reasonable level, it reacts without delay and shifts smoothly. Even when shifting more aggressively, the transmission performs well.

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  Excellent Handling and Smooth Ride - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Autumn Johnson Lynn - August 7 - 1:03 am

  If you had your eye on a luxury import sedan check the MKZ out, this car offers excellent handling, power and a smooth ride. The MKZ is a luxury car that is fun to drive and it has so many features for the money. In my opinion there is no better value for a mid- sized sedan.

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  Why I love my Navigator - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By mitzi - August 5 - 9:13 am

  I had a choice of any luxury SUV I would like. I ordered this truck and had to wait as it was a special order color. Silver Birch and with the mono tone wrap. It is the Ultimate with every conceivable bell and whistle!! I love it!! It is super comfy and while the gas mileage is not a selling point, it gets within tenths of my Expedetion that preceeded it. I did get an after market DVD as the factory one is puny i comparision. Everyone takes a second look at this vehicle. Im glad I dont have a black Escalade like everyone else!!

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  Ill buy another one! - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By Silver Streak - August 4 - 8:56 am

  I have 190,000.miles on my TC. It doesnt use oil and has the original automatic tranny. I drive hard sometimes and the car has held up very well. I have changed the automatic transmission fluild and tranny filter at a real mechanics shop not an oil change joint, 4 times and I think thats why my tranny is holding up. This is the last of the full size American Luxury cars. Keep the suspension air bags dont put in springs. Change the oil every 3-4000 miles. Great car Id buy one again. Do the maintenence and it will last forever!

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  Cant wait to get rid of this vehicle - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Steve - August 3 - 7:06 am

  After sitting a stop lights and shaking and having 2 different dealers...the service managers are brothers...tell me 3 times that this Lincoln should sit at stop lights and shake..yeah right ! and having the rear differential replaced at 3000 miles...the a/c smells and the car still has only 12000 miles on it I cant wait to get rid of this piece of "junk". This is my fifth new Lincoln product in 10 years and it is not only my last Lincoln product but my last American car. No-one seems to care that this car absolutely runs awful including Lincoln customer service.

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  Great economical Car - 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  By Bill Destin FL - August 1 - 9:52 am

  Takes a while to learn how to operate the entertainment equipment.

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  My Continental - 2000 Lincoln Continental
  By mgummy - August 1 - 4:23 am

  This car is my first car, and i love it. Being almost 7 feet tall, this car is the perfect size for me. The trunk space is mafia style (3 dead bodies)! It has a few issues like the airbag light that keeps coming on. Its actually easy enough to parallel park, suprisingly.

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  Sucks - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By jordan40 - July 26 - 2:46 pm

  I own a Lincoln mkx 2010 this SUV is junk, sluggish and the worst possible vehicle I own

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  MKZ almost there - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By Rick - July 22 - 9:03 pm

  I traded in my 2006 Zephyr, and this car has some major improvements. I have 1250 miles on this vehicle and am not happy with gas milage. Have averaged 19.7 mpg with a 50% combination of Highway and around town driving. The interior leather and Dash have been upgraded and now feel like a car in the entry level Luxury Line. Engine is very responsive but there is some difficulty starting without a jerk. Seats are very comfortable and the leather is so much nicer then before. Ride is nt as soft as a Lexus but not bad. Some buttons are hard to reach and they are not placed conveniently. They all feel the same to touch. Engine is quiet. Rode noise is more then expected.