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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  Compare one - 2007 Lincoln MKZ
  By Jerry R - May 30 - 7:36 pm

  Im really impressed with the MKZs styling and overall design. The ride is smooth but stable though acceleration isnt as strong as the Acura or Lexus I test drove.The interior is clean and well laid-out with everything within easy reach and easy to see. The THX certified stereo has nice sound. Hours of MP3s can be loaded into the 6 disk player. I have to say, for the price, I feel you cant beat the options (standard or optional) that are available. Theres lot of American cars that really do compare in quality to the Japanese. Theyll have a tough row to hoe to convince everyone to pass up the Acura or Lexus lines but I think theyre well on thier way.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS TRUCK!!! - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By qbbraveheart - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst piece of garbage I have ever owned...ive had it for 8 months, less than 5000 miles on it and its been in the shop 5 times already.... leaky power steering assembly brakes dust like hell brake rotors warp very easy problems with air bag suspension chrome rims chipping dont buy this you will be very discouraged....this definitely falls under "LEMON" just complete garbage...i would only expect the best from a $60K truck...but then again this is Ford were talking about..glad I own a Honda on the side...now thats quality!

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  Why i like my lincoln towncar - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By PAUL TERRAULT - May 28 - 8:26 am

  I love the styling. The ride is excellent, like riding on a sofa in your living room. Ive owned Lincolns in the past and theyre great. You can keep your Japanese or German cars, give a good old America automobile anytime!

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  Makes H3 look like a Prius - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By bashmyshell - May 27 - 3:13 pm

  I admit, I purchased this car expecting at least 17/22 MPG based on the listed 19/25 sticker. After casually driving for 200 miles, I have noticed one thing. This car has never gotten higher than 11.8 MPG. And this was after I decided to drive like a grandma. Mileage is more like 10/11 after 2000 miles. very disappointed! 90% of my driving is on the freeway with no traffic! But it definately is comfortable and plush while draining the gas down. I would have never made the purchase had I known the mileage was so low.

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  2nd MKZ - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By MKZ - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This MKZ replaced my 07 MKZ at lease end. Very pleased with the 07 so I opted for another. Basically identical cars but no AWD on the 2010. Better combined MPG 24.7 with the 2010 2wd vs 22 mpg on the 07 with AWD. The 2010 dual Climate control regulation is very poor. Appears to be a factory defect that cannot be corrected. I miss the 07 analog clock. There are too many distractions on the LCD display. I do not have Nav, so the display may be better with it. The radio and temp knobs are identical and too often I hit the wrong one. The sync feature keeps dropping my bluetooth phone and requires resetting. I have owned 33 American autos and one Porsche. The 2010 MKZ gets an overall 8 rating.

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  simply the best - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By chrisfun8 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  it is the best suv i ever drove

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  Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By GIGI - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Wonderfully, Luxurious vehicle. A pleasure to drive

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  City and Highway comfort - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By Robert A. - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Impressed not only with the roominess but the very comfortable ride city as well as highway. Fuel economy is excellent for a large, 4400 lb. car. While not intended to be a sport car, performance is more than adequate for most. The classical reservedinterior and exterior styling will appeal to conservative owners and will fit in almost anywhere.

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  excellent - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By alvin - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I love this car it is the best

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  16 Words - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
  By Calvin - May 21 - 10:13 pm

  This car has been amazing since it has been completely fixed. Not very long after purchase, it was in the shop at least once every two weeks. It had the habit of dying randomly during driving. Not a put-put die process, but just turning off. After something like six months of every part imaginable being replaced, we took it to a local auto supply store, and the clerk changed a six dollar relay switch which has corrected the problem. Aside from that, it has been amazing; it is big enough for anything you want to do, but not overbearing. It has amazing performance that is hardly ever used, but is there when needed. I love it and so does everyone that rides in it. Her name is Louise.