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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  Full size luxury - 2005 Lincoln Town Car
  By Brian G - March 6 - 5:03 pm

  Love these full size frame constructed Fords. Fantastic mileage (23.9 avg), tremendous safety, nice smooth ride. No electrical gremlins like the Cadillac suffer from. Plastic trim is a bit cheap looking, but overall the interior is extremely nice and the fit is good. Sold my 2003 Navigator and moaned for weeks about not having a Lincoln in the "stable", so this one is replacing my 2002 Crown Vic as my highway car.

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  Lincoln Town Car - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By Fred J Rogers - March 4 - 2:20 pm

  This is an excellent car for long distance travel. One can drive all day and not be worn out at the end of the days drive.

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  I love my Lincolns - 1997 Lincoln Town Car
  By BE - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I have now owned three Lincoln Towncars. I have had virtually no major issues with any of them. If you keep the oil changed and the transmission serviced regualarly theyll run forever. My dad has a fleet of these cars for his sales people. They all have over 300,000 on the clock and still run strong. Ill never buy any other car. You cant beat the comfort and reliability....or price.

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  Top Notch - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By dontblink - March 4 - 6:22 am

  After several horrible experiences with European vehicles, I decided to buy domestic again. I dig the clean crisp styling, strong stance, & front grill reminiscent of Lincolns past. The ride is firm yet comfortable, it handles well, & mileage is decent. The sound system is great. The clutter free instrumentation with retro gauges is pleasing. The cabin is roomy with plenty of cargo space. Quality leather seats are comfortable. Fit & finish is top notch inside & out. It could benefit from a rear view backup camera. The silver painted interior plastic looks like silver painted plastic. I really like the MKX, it is safe, stylish, reliable, & comfortable. It will likely be a favorite of ours.

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  Great Value - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By derekzane - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I leased the v8 sport 2 years ago and it still feels like a new vehicle. This car has got to be one of the best luxury cars for the money on the street. I test drove the more expensive jag and mercedes sedans and did not find them noticeably better. I would strongly recommond this car to everyone. The only issues I have is the delay in acceleration and the fact I have had my rear windows worked on 3x.

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  OOPS for Lincoln - 2012 Lincoln MKX
  By dsprings1 - March 1 - 10:28 pm

  I just purchased my 2012 MKX and took a trip to the UP of Michigan. The first day about 100 miles from home the GPS quit giving audio commands. Called dealer, said it was software problem and only way to fix was remove battery cable to reset system. Second day GPS was in split screen mode with map/turn screen and map screen went black. Had to pull over and turn off car to reboot system. Fourth day, tried to put Copper Harbor, MI in system, couldnt find it. Coming home 8inch screen locked up and remained on after turning car off. Finally after several restart atempts, I shut off the ignition and waited about 2 minutes and the screen shut down.

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  Surpising Improvement - 2017 Lincoln Continental
  By JRBoca - February 28 - 4:45 am

  My fourth Lincoln in the past 10 years and first impressions are very positive albeit limited miles on the car so far. Of the two MKXs and the MKZ hybrid I owned prior to this car, the new Continental is a winner. The fit and finish inside and out are of the level of a higher priced vehicle. I also own a 2015 SL 550 which I used as a benchmark. Ive got the 2.7L which I find to be quick and smooth for its size and a little noisy on takeoff. The updated Sync 3 system is solid compared to the previous ones Ive owned. All still much better than what Ive got in my MB. Ive got the perfect position seats and theyre pretty perfect. These seats make this car and a must if youre considering buying one. I got the standard radio which is disappointing for the overall price of the car. Ill switch out the speakers with better aftermarket as a workaround. I would have bought the Revel radio if they had one. After I log a few thousand more miles, Ill update this review.

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  Rivals the BMW 525i - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Geniphre - February 26 - 12:13 am

  I just got the MKZ and I have an 2004 BMW 525i. You would have to be a fool to purchase anything but the MKZ. I put the 2 cars side by side, they look the same. The standard equipment alone, makes the BMW look striped. The biggie its $20,000 CHEAPER. This is Fords golden ticket. Honestly, I would have paid $10,000 more and felt like I got a deal. I am floored by the cars style and performance.

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  unique automobile - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By cole - February 23 - 4:26 am

  I bought this car in 2006 when I was 18 and it is my second car since I crashed my fist car. I used to drive really really fast but no matter what I did to that car it did not back down. I really admire the heavy engineering of that car and I really think its one of the greatest cars of the world.

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  owner - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Ed Vassar - February 20 - 8:46 am

  I havent found a lot I dont like about my LS. It has all the power I need and then some. I think its very sporty looking to be a four door. I like the way it handles