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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  An expensive pinto - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By hatethiscar1 - October 16 - 9:33 am

  The Lincoln aviator is the worst car ever built. They are dangerous and fall apart after 60,000 miles. Ford is aware of this but is ignoring all complaints and blaming tire tread wear as the cause of all electrical and mechanical problems. Never buy any aviator of any year.

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  Surprisingly Good - A Functional Fashion Statement - 2014 Lincoln MKT
  By skbmichigan - October 16 - 5:30 am

  Was initially looking at Land Rover RR Sport. But while that was a better car (amazing handling and style) the MKT was an elegant and less expensive alternative. Packed with technology (adaptive cruise, cooled seats front/rear) and I really like the style - its elegant and stands out (not sure why critics dont like styling). Some elements reveal that the platform is based on a family car (e.g. old fashioned foot operated parking brake, no front parking sensors even on top level model). Great power with 365 hp V6 and interior style with two rows of bucket seat is great.

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  Love it - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By Love the best - October 14 - 9:30 pm

  I owned this since it was new, now 9 years old and still great. I have had the heaters in the seats go and not covered under even extended warranty, and also had a transmission electrical switch go out while traveling, and the one plastic piece on the door and one on the lumbar seat. But those were to only trouble I had with this wonderful vehicle. For 9 years service I have loved it since day one. With gas at $4 a gallon I still love it but for me the end is soon because being a woman I want something newer. 9 years is a long time for me. If you are thinking of an older navigator I would say go for it. For 9 it still looks great and performs great.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Driven - 2001 Lincoln Continental
  By gittingjr - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I currently drive a 2001 Lincoln Continental, and I plan to own the car until it dies. It is such a reliable vehicle that also has a great level of performance. Despite the fact that it is a Lincoln, I compare it to a Cadillac because the Cadillacs were always known for their performance while Lincolns were known mostly for their comfort level. This is a great vehicle for people of all ages, but unlike its counterpart Town Car, the Continental appeals a lot more to a younger man like me due to its torque and smaller size. Discontinuing this model was one of the worst mistakes Ford ever made. The car got better as the years went on. Imagine what a 2010 Lincoln Continental would look like.

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  Great car for the money - 2008 Lincoln MKZ
  By Bill H. - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I went to the dealer to buy a Fusion or Milan, but loved the MKZ as soon as I saw it. The interior is beautiful, the engine is strong and it has all the options of a much more expensive car. I have been on several road trips and have found it to be a very comfortable ride and the gas mileage is better than average. Overall, I love almost everything about my new Lincoln as does everyone who takes a close enough look at it. Great job on this one Ford!!

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  every part lincoln - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Lincolnfan - October 11 - 7:36 am

  Simply a awesome car. Great reason to BUY AMERICAN! Quality is amazing....Cadillac should learn for this... especially in the interior segment. When I buy a luxury car I expect it to look better than a base every day economy car. Cadillac interiors are no nicer than something you would find on a Chevy Colbalt econo-box. Add some wood and leather and you got a Cadillac. Lincoln went ahead and provided a full new interior; can you spot a ford fusion part? I canÂ’t...in the end this a excellent car and the price is just as stunning as the car (in a good way)

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  Theater top town car - 2007 Lincoln Town Car
  By Gary oMalley - October 10 - 4:08 am

  This car has a theater half top that gives it a distinctive look

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  We Love This SUV - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By art_lover82 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Could not be happier! Handles like a dream, very peppy, smooth and quiet. Looked at Explorer, Escalade and Lexus. Aviator the best by far. Using premium fuel and traveling 80 miles per day - Getting about 16.6 mpg on freeway driving.

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  Not as good as it should be - 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
  By slim - October 10 - 12:00 am

  Dealer was the best ive ever dealt with. The truck is beautiful (burgundy color) and gets lots of compliments. Air wouldnt blow cold at idle unless it was a overcast day and it had no power at all. Probally the weakest vehicle ive ever owned. The local dealer said they just reset the computer code and all was well. Not so , the air blows cold MOST of the time but it still has NO power and the gas mileage is terrible. not really a lincoln, just a F-150 with some chrome. Lincoln can sell it off the name and the looks but they really need to make it a Lincoln for those that know the difference.

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  Great Addition - 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
  By danfrank - October 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a great special purpose truck. I like it because it is very different from other similar vehicles and has all the luxury I expect in a Luxury Vehicle