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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  Love my Lincoln - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By SoCalBob - February 3 - 4:16 pm

  I looked at Lexus, Infiniti, and Cadillac. This Linclon is the greatest car to date. It is great to see an American car company get it so right. The ride is wonderful, the premium sound system is the best. I couldnt be happier. On top of all that I had the best buying experience with my dealer. The treatment was first class all the way!

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  Lincoln has it going! - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By heimerlr - February 3 - 10:50 am

  Traded an AWD VW Passat for the AWD MKZ. MKZ much more comfortable to drive. The VW felt like I was sitting 1 inch off the road and had to fall down to get into the car. MKZ AWD makes it up a 15 degree grade in a foot of snow! Very smooth ride and plenty of zip!

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  Fabulous Experience!! - 2009 Lincoln MKX
  By Denita - January 31 - 11:46 am

  I shopped for >8 months for an SUV. I drove the Lexus, Infiniti, & Acura mid size & truly neither compared to the luxury of my MKX. The others are Just names and true Luxury does not have to come with a Huge Price. Lincoln MKX is Top Luxury!! Love it!

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  Just love my new MKZ Hybrid - 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
  By Shell - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Been driving it for two weeks now and just totally love it. Average of 37.4 MPG for driving both highway and city. The legrooms for both front and rear are bigger than my previous Jaguar S Type sedan. Only cons will be the trunk. Since thats where the battery is stored, you actually lose some storage space there. But overall, its a very nice car to drive.

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  MKX in Minnesota - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By Mike in Minnesota - January 29 - 1:33 am

  Have owned ten or more SUVs in the past 25 years, many costing far more. The MKX is the best in build quality, ride, comfort, and features. Very tight and quiet.

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  Old school American luxury - 2002 Lincoln Town Car
  By Old school - January 27 - 4:25 pm

  These Town Cars are fantastic! Smoothest ride on the road, quality interior, torquey v8 power. Fuel economy is generally about 17 in the city, but 25 on the highway. I have seen it go as high as 27 at a steady 60 MPH. One of the safest cars on the road, because these cars are tanks. The car drives like a car from the 1960s, and has a robust, quality feel that is lacking from American cars today. Reliability is stellar, only replaced ball joints at 121K and done regular oil changes and tire replacements. They truly dont make them like this anymore!

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  Great Compromise - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By MechEngineer - January 27 - 2:30 am

  The LS looks great in a classy understated way, and it is very comfortable on long highway runs - its a Lincoln. However, on our many 2-lane blacktop roads here in East Tennessee, its superior handling and powerful V-8 passing ability make this fine car a real pleasure.

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  What a ride!!!!! - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By Razorbacker - January 26 - 3:13 pm

  I bought this Designer Series Town Car with 7000 miles on it. It is so nice, such a civilized ride. Nice seats, gauges and controls, I dont know what more you can ask for. Two years of ownership and NEVER to the dealer for repairs, never!!!! Gas mileage highway 25mph or better, in town 21mph...It is not a sports car, it is a luxury car and it behaves like it...

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  1997 Lincoln Continental - a great car. - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By Barb - January 25 - 9:06 am

  This is a nice, solid, dependable, good on gas for the size car. There is plenty of luxury in itand I found the best buy for the money was this car (I bought it off lease with a few miles on it). Nevertheless, this car is really comfortable, and it can get onto a highway with the shortest of ramps and out of anyones way with ease. Surprisingly, it got better gas mileage than advertised. In 3 years nothing needed service beyond the norm. I also felt that this was a very safe car to have kids in, especially because it has 5 shoulder straps.

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  Best Truck I ever owned (so far) - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By 4thewinner - January 22 - 9:43 pm

  My last truck was a dodge & I liked it, I drove a few of the other ones out there & this was hands down the nicest of them. I had to drive a truck for work for many years.I can now drive anything I want(retired:)Im very happy with my choice.