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 It! - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By YARNELLF - April 17 - 7:33 pm

  I purchased this car because I like luxury cars and I always wanted one! Beautiful car for drivers who are not rough drivers and know when and how to take care of a luxury automobile. You cannot take care of this car the same way you take care of a car like a Saturn, Pontiac or Kia.

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  remarkable - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
  By alan - April 16 - 12:30 am

  I have inherited this car w/39,000 miles. A dream to own and drive. It now has 44,000 and still appears as new. I particularly like the mileage and extreme quiet.

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  Love my car but it is breaking me! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By csmorgan - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Where oh where do I begin? I bought this car in 2008 with 70k miles on it from the Ford dealership. I have replaced 4 coils, 4 plugs, 1 valve cover gasket seal, one headlight assembly due to a bad seal, clock spring due to airbag light (that worked for about a year now the airbag light is back on), front brake pads, and now the power steering pump is leaking fluid somewhere.

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  2004 Lincoln Navigator - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By magicpellnor - April 10 - 2:00 am

  The 2003/4 Navigator is astonishingly improved over the 2001, my previous ride. Drivetrain is much smoother (buzzing under hard accel. associated with solid rear axle is gone), handling much more nimble, ride more supple and quieter. Rough surfaces accomodated much better. Audio system much improved. Third (bench) seat access much easier, and terrific fold flat features. Seats are more comfortable. Illumination (headlamps and aiming) has been improved. I have only 500 miles since purchase, but I am continually amazed at how different the 2004 is from the 2001. I recommend it enthusiastically.

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  99 Lincoln TC Sig. - 1999 Lincoln Town Car
  By bzoerner - April 9 - 11:26 pm

  I have had a 75,77,89,95 and just bought a used 99 town car. The car had 170000 when i bought it. I changed the ball joints & tie rod ends, belt, oil, trans filter. Removed the air susp. bags and replaced with new coils for a crown vic. Awesome car and good to go! You buy a used Lincoln-replace the ball joints and tie rods. Dont wait for them to fail. This is the best lincoln yet and I will buy another! I love it! Just remember- you will find alot more good reviews about the 99 town car than bad reviews!

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  Noise and Brake Hell - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By C. Murias - April 7 - 8:50 pm

  Since I bought the car I had to have the front brake pads replaced, transmission fixed, back window fixed and recently the front hub barring, with only 35K miles. Before I had the brakes replaced they squealed and after the brakes were replaced they squealed and continue to squeal. My brake pedal itself makes a rubbery squeaky noise, which the dealer has told me there is nothing wrong. After taking it in about 5 times, they tell me that this is a common problem and known defect and there is nothing they can do about it. I would not recommend this car, especially if you do not want to have a car in the shop all the time. It is nice to have maintenance free car, but come on.

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  Only 1058 - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By greg linzner - April 7 - 10:00 am

  If you want to be noticed get one of these. People are constantly starring to see what it is. They have stopped production on them at 1,058 so they are going to be very rare. They are selling for over sticker.

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  Sport Utility With The Ultimate Luxurys - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By Truck Man - April 7 - 10:00 am

  First off, the Lincoln Blackwood is NOT a truck. Id compare the ride and handling of this vehicle more with a BMW than a full size pick-up. From the extensive research Ive done on this vehicle, Ive discovered that Lincoln spent countless time and dollars designing the shocks and suspention for the Blackwood. Among the other attributes Lincoln has bestowed upon the Blackwood, the air conditioning system is the same used in military vehicles stationed in the Saudi. The power taneau cover has a nice feature that detects objects in its way and automatically raises to avoid crushing anything (including an arm). The Blackwood is a luxury sport vehicle with the driveability of a sedan.

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  Great car - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By bandguy - April 7 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a joy to drive and is extremely comfortable and economical for a luxury car.

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  Lincoln Zephyr - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By John Hoie - April 6 - 12:13 pm

  The car drives smoothly, with good acceleration, medium suspension, little body lean. Steering is nicely weighted