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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  Best Auto Owned - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Derek - June 27 - 3:50 pm

  Ive driven in a Cadillac CTS-V 07 love the ride, less room than the Lincoln MKZ. The MKZ has a nicer interior, the power is very good thou Im used to the v8 power, this car has many toys that I love, LOve the hands free phone, you can hook your cell phone to the mp3 player press the line in button and speak through the speakers of auto awesome, cool and heat seat great. Im nearly 6 and plenty of room, front and back. I just miss my Lincoln ls the v8 power, but this car has enough power that Im very happy with this car.

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  fun car - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By trectony - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I got my 2001ls8 back in oct.03 its been a pretty fun car to drive the only problems ive had was the sun roof and the rear right window just stopped working the dealership replaced both rear window motors so I wasnt to mad.

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  Outstanding SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By MikeyM - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is simply awesome!!! Its ride is quiet and smooth,handling is great, and it has all the luxury of a Limo. The 300+ horse 32 Valve American made V8 along with the five speed O-Drive transmission delivers all the power anyone could want and has too many more nice features to mention here...Driving is actually fun again for me!!

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  My First Ford product - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By leadfoot4 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I was always a GM buyer, however when they discontinued their RWD models, I was forced to look elsewhere. I had heard some things about the LS, so my interest was aroused. I took my wife to the dealership to test drive one. Although she wasnt initally won over by the rather conservative styling, she was impressed with the way the car handled. Its very sporty and responsive, yet is still very comfortable. Weve had the car 4 years, and the car has just over 30,000 miles. Weve had no major problems with the car. Bottom line, we really like this car, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a medium sized, sport sedan.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Michelle M. - June 22 - 9:06 pm

  I traded my 05 Expedition 4X4 for the MKX. We all love our new "Lincoln" as my kids (8 & 3) lovingly refer to the MKX. It is an exceptionally stylish car with very sharp look. Recently we took it on our first overnight trip. The rear seat comfortably held 2 car seats and the center arm rest was perfect for their cups. The front seats are very comfortable, as my husband and I are very tall 62 and 510. He is now looking at the Lincoln truck!

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  Airbags I agree... - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Patrick B... - June 22 - 9:53 am

  I have owned a 2000LS 3.9V8 in 2006, it had around 100K miles and had a fatal wreck...I coded out twice on the way to the hosp., yes I slid off the road and into a ditch, rolled into a tumble, in to a tree...Photos upon request, NO airbag deployment at all. 24days in the hospital, many broken bones yet IF I would have been in a foreign vehicle, I truely feel that I would not be alive. I just purchased my used 2005LS V8 with 60K mile on it and feel safer now then ever before. regardless of airbags, this is a very safe car. so I do agree with "Stacy M" "have airbags checked" and Lincoln please bring the LS back. Patrick...

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  A good start - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Dick - June 21 - 7:23 pm

  I am a prior Lincoln owner and a most recent Toyota Avalon owner. So far the two are about equal with the Lincoln feeling more solid. Acceleration is good, but the Avalon seemed quicker. Lincoln feels better on the long trips. Large back seat seemed wasted in the Avalon which has less trunk space. Lincoln handles better around the curves.

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  Fuel - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By Vicenta Calzadilla - June 19 - 11:10 am

  We owned jeeps Grand Cheroke all our lives. When we took a look to the Lincoln MKX, we fall in love with it. #1 it advertise 21 miles in the city and 27 on Hiway. We just went to orlando and we loved the ride. The only problem is that my old 2002 /8 cyl.jeep make better mileage, than the Lincoln mkx, which mark an average of 18 miles per gallon. We are senior citizens and travel all over. I am concerned about the gas. If it does not improve we will trade it back. Please let me know if there is something wrong with this car. thank you. Vicky Calzadilla.

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  Great Car! - 1999 Lincoln Continental
  By clujborn - June 18 - 3:44 am

  We purchased this car 5 years ago and its been the most reliable car we ever had.Its got 152 K miles and no problems.The looks of this car are timeless.I cant believe Edmunds calls it "boxy" what?Its got 4.6 lt v8 @275 hp and gets 25 mpg hwy.Need i say more?Awesome car but transmissions were kind of fragile in this car so make sure you change that trans oil no later then every 30K miles.

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  2004 Aviator Luxury - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Phil Zima - June 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a very capable, luxurious and performance oriented SUV. Fit and finish is top notch and dealer service has been outstanding. Fuel economy is about what I expected (About 14 City and 21 highway) for a vehicle of this size.