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 The Aviator - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Patty - December 26 - 10:00 am

  After owning 3 Explorers (two xlts and one Eddie Bauer) I am really impressed with this truck. This is my first Lincoln and I truly doubt I will ever own anything else. I havent had the chance to test it out in New England winters yet but Im sure it wont let me down.

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  Another notch to put on Fords gun - 2009 Lincoln MKS
  By datagen - December 24 - 7:36 am

  As with many Ford products, many do not know how good Lincolns are. I have a 2004 Taurus, a 2006 Zephyr, and now my 2009 MKS. After doing the research at the Detroit International Auto Show this year, I order this car the following month. I have had it about 2 weeks now and I can tell you, it was worth the wait. You can see and feel the styling and luxury in this vehicle throughout. You can appreciate the long hours involved in the designed and engineering. There is no doubt that you get a lot of car for the money. I am current getting 18.3 mpg in the city. Not bad for a AWD.

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  Cadillac VS. Lincoln - 2001 Lincoln Town Car
  By Timothy J, Wheeler - December 23 - 12:20 am

  I know this sounds weird but I am actually the owner of a 2001 cadillac Deville. (my dream car since I was 6). I Know several people who drive TCs of all years. My main point is that I was a die hard Cadillac fan but after riding with my friend in his 01 TC I was no longer sure. Now dont get me wrong I still love the Cadillacs but I am getting tired of all the sky high all the time repair cost of it, after all im only 17 years old. my freinds TC just keeps going wile mine is in the repair shop. NO FAIR..

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  smooth operator - 2002 Lincoln Navigator
  By jeff chappel - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I always look forward to driving this vehicle. Smooth ultra comfortable ride. Spacious beyond belief! Third row seats can easily handle two king size adults. Loads of leg room galore.

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  Refreshing! - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By Kathys Car - December 20 - 2:00 am

  After much hesitation I made the move to a SUV. The Aviator convinced me. My criteria was it couldnt ride or feel like a truck. It definitely does not. The handling, performance and ride are more than I expected. Coming out of a Mercedes C320, I was concerned to move to a larger vehicle, but the experience so far has me less frustrated with my sometimes 1 hour commute in bumper to bumper traffic. After a very disappointing ride with Mercedes, I am truly excited and refreshed to be back to an impressive American made vehicle.

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  Nice Car - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Jules Valdez - December 15 - 1:43 pm

  Really fun to drive. Lots of power. Stereo system and Sync are awesome. I get many compliments from people when they see this car. Owned a Caddy before. I like this better.

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  The SUV handles well. It is swell - 2006 Lincoln Navigator
  By Folk - December 15 - 7:40 am

  Made well this vehicle gets a lot of attention because there are not many on the road It is quiet, and handles well in the rain

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  your car is beautiful - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By I love my lincoln - December 14 - 2:00 am

  All round fun, sporty but luxurios car to drive. I love the number of people that tell me that car is beautiful.

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  A Stand out Car among a group of generic looking ones - 2015 Lincoln MKZ
  By silverrarity - December 10 - 6:42 pm

  Picked up my 2015 MKZ Hybrid on New Years Eve and so far its a joy to drive. In the past Ive had an Acura TL and 2 Corvettes. The car I traded in for the Lincoln was a 2008 Toyota Prius and although I loved the Prius I was totally disgusted with Toyotas Service Department and never felt they treated me as a valued customer. I had done research on the Lincoln months ago and since I wanted another Hybrid with some Luxury Lincoln fit the bill all the way around. I was impressed with its look and decided to do some hands on research. I love the look of the BMW, Acura and Audi 5 but overall the Lincoln offered better Quality and used Regular Gas instead of Premium like its competition.

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  I am loving it - 2010 Lincoln MKT
  By PattySue - December 10 - 12:33 am

  I shopped for along time for a car and had never even heard of this car. On the day I went to close the deal on an MKX, I saw an MKT in the lot and thought it looked like a hearse. But when I looked inside it has the luxurious look I was looking for. Once I drove it - it was a done deal. Quiet, comfortable ride, good sounds, nice bells and whistles, and not that much of a departure from my Explorer - but a huge step up to a luxury vehicle that I wanted. I love this car and call it the Patmobile! Like me - its big, classy, unique and I dont see it going and coming.