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:

• 

  My Lincoln LS - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By yungdogg06 - October 17 - 8:28 am

  This car is pretty nice. I bought it in 08 with 35,000mi. In 2010 I started having problems. Transmission went out. Somewhere around $2500 to fix. Shortly after I noticed small things were breaking. A/c vent breaking off, driver chair back broke off, traction control button fell off, eyeglass holder wont stay latched, side rear view mirrors wont adjust, fuel buttons broke... And soon after the rear differential jacked up on me. Thats another $1500 that I payed out of my pocket. If thats not bad enough, just last week on a road trip.... My shifter cable popped off, wrapped around the drive shaft, ripped of trans cover, ripped off sensors and more. Guess theyre not built to last.

• 

  Lincoln LS V/6 - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By w5ihv - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I have just returned from a 5,000 mile trip in mu new Lincoln LS, in general the automobile handled well, the comfort level was good. Mileage, (combined) was 27.8. I do not care for the requirement for 91 octane fuel. The automobile interior noise level is higher than I had expected. The LS performed well under some bad conditions, with water over the highway. In general I am satisfied, but not really impressed.

• 

  Safe, Reliable and BIG - 2001 Lincoln Navigator
  By Mrs. Ro - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I thought I could never get used to being so high off the ground and never fit into a parking space again. Turns out, the opposite is true. This is an exceptional vehicle. The ride is very smooth, its fantastic in the snow and its luxurious. The only downside is the gas mileage.

• 

  Excellent - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Jim Stern - October 16 - 10:00 am

  The best car for the money. Luxurious, fun to drive, and just an all around real pleasure.

• 

  FIRST SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By ROBIN3979 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I AM IN MY 60S. TRADED A 99 CADILLAC. AFTER DRING THE AVIATOR AND A TOWN CAR, MY WIFE AND I BOTH AGREED ON THE AVIATOR. LOVE IT.

• 

  More than Upgraded Explorer - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By JoePo - October 16 - 10:00 am

  While built on the Explorer chasis the ride and handling are nothing like it. I owned Explorers for many years before buying the Aviator, this vehicle has all the features of an Explorer and then some.

• 

  awesome aviator - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By soprano - October 16 - 10:00 am

  love it interior is fabulous!vehicle is very solid,I also have town car03 and this is a lot more luxury than my town car.very happy with this vehicle.

• 

  teh best - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By sucker1234567 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  very good car no complaints except on bumpy road or up a mountain in tends to tilt over...................

• 

  Great Lexus - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Bruce Bock - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Quite a plesure to drive. It has it all

• 

  Should have gotten an IMPORT! - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By AndyLuck - October 16 - 10:00 am

  the ls was nice when i 1st purchased it. smooth, classy & stylish. thats until a month later i had to take it to the shop and ever since. i been having to take it in every other month for a problem. it seems endless. worst yet, for some reason, no other auto machanic place will service the car. not even for breaks???? there is only one lincoln dealer in this city and they stink at the repairs. the problem comes back everytime. nothing gets fixed. this car is an american headache. get an import!