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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  My first Lincoln - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Anthony A. Heying - May 5 - 5:53 am

  I have had 29 mpg highway according to the meter in the vehicle. 18.7 around town, not bad for a vehicle its size. I like the stiffer suspension and firm seating. The vehicle has performed well and im happy although it is a more expensive Edge. Id recommend to a potential "crossover" buyer.

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  Nice Machine! - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By weeds - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Lincoln did a great job in designing and building the Aviator, which is a "mini" Navigator. What is most impressive is the engine, which has outstanding acceleration, much better than any similar SUV on the market (U.S. or foreign made)! The transmission and ride is also very smooth, making for a vehicle that is fun to drive. In true Lincoln fashion, both the interior and exterior look very classy. This is a vehicle that is fun to drive, looks sharp, and turns heads. Well done, Lincoln!

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  Simply the Best - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By doug fagen - April 29 - 10:23 am

  Wow what a car,comfort, good looks,stylish all in one.This car will attract the younger crowd if they decide to give US automakers a chance.My first Ford in years and Im thrilled. People stop and stare and do the same when they drive by.

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  Aviator, 2WD, Premium Edition - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Delores Jones - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable ride; great interior design; roomy

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  Most reliable car I have owned - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
  By dulciboy20198 - April 25 - 8:48 am

  Bought this car last year and I have put 20K miles on it. It has always started right up. At 176K the engine burns a little bit of oil. I average 20mpg with a combination of city (25%) and highway (75%) miles. The only issues I have had were the air suspension, climate control computer going bad, hinge pin going bad and the cornering lamp lens falling off.

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  Lincoln MKX - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By car lover - April 24 - 12:56 am

  Very nice driving and styling. More road noise than I expected but not bad. Had 2004 Toyota Highlander prior but we both like this one better. Mileage is 20 mpg and 25 mpg on open road.

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  Superb blend of ride, handling, luxury - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Londine - April 21 - 10:00 am

  Smooth shifting tranny, ample torque let you slot into any hole in traffic -- easily. Slick NAV. VERY easy, nice ‘birds-eye’ view split-screen, voice prompts and voice commands. Impressive sound system. Quiet cabin. High winds don’t affect the car at all, at any speed. Excellent steering ‘feel’. You sense the road texture, but no harshness or vibration gets thru. Fingertip-light at parking lot speeds (a big thing for my wife, who has arthritis), but nicely firmer at speed. Seating position very comfortable. Im 6, but had plenty of headroom, even with the moonroof, and with the seat adjusted high. Clean, elegant lines will age well.

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  Great Crossover - 2008 Lincoln MKX
  By J. Flauto - April 19 - 4:33 pm

  I leased this Linclon for my wife who has her grandchilders at time. She is extreamly happy with the car.She can put both of the grandchildern in the rear car seats without bending. The car has 7,000 mile and never been back to the dealership for any reason. I enjoy driving this & when I take it on a trip I get 25MPG plus. Around town it gets high 17 or low 18. I like this Lincoln so well that I am considering the new 2009 or 2010 Lincoln MKS for my business car. P/S I also own a LS 430 Lexus.

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  Lincoln MKS-Great Car - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By Ray - April 18 - 11:53 pm

  To begin, I just purchased my MKS about a month ago so it has not been time tested in terms of overall quality. However, I have driven it over 1,000 miles in both city and highway conditions and found it just fabulous. No quality problems whatsoever. This car is not the “doggie Town Car”, but it has the comfort and better performance. It may not take the 0 to 60 record but, it’s comes close to the Lexus LS series and has plenty of power when you need it. I have the fully equipped model with the “Ultimate Package”, that I highly recommend. Again, price comparing this car to the Lexus LS or ES series, you get a far better value equally equipped. Its not the old mans Town Car.

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  great vehicle , - 2005 Lincoln Navigator
  By REID PETTY - April 18 - 1:33 am

  I LIKE MY NAVIGATOR. ONE COMPLAINT.IT DOESNT ABSORB THE SHOCK OF MAJOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS AS WELL AS THE LEXUS470 DOES.