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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  They need to get it right - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Fred Flint - May 29 - 9:03 pm

  Ford needs to develop vehicles that can compete with off shore product. The MKX is own has had the head lamps replaced - the rear license plate light due to rust - the radio and NAV system replaced - the auto trunk opening motor and struts, a panel that had started to rust after only 19 months of service and roof moldings that wouldnt stay locked. The tires needed to be replaced due to cupping attributed to a balance issue. The dealer provided the warranty service but didnt check alignment so I bought new tires. This is(was) my 10th and last Ford product. Just a heads up to future Ford/Lincoln Edge and MKX buyers - beware !

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  Poor Quality: Cylinder, Transmission and AC Problems - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By natefromaz - May 18 - 7:33 pm

  I bought a brand new Lincoln Aviator in November 2004 and it now has 82K miles. The quality of teh venhicle in general has been bad after he cross 60K miles. In general the engine pings and the check engine light comes and off and when we come to a stop light, the AC starts blowing hot air. The check engine light came steady on at 78K miles and when I took it to the dealer, it was diagnosed that left side cylinder head and transmission needs to be replaced and there is no warranty and I was given an estimation of $5500 for the cylinder head and $3500 for transmission. I called Ford customer care but they said that they cannot help or cover for these costs. Dont buy Ford!!

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  WOW was I disappointed - 1997 Lincoln Continental
  By peter_0928 - May 18 - 1:38 pm

  I am only 18 and this is the second car Ive gone thru. I had a 98 camry that tranny blew out on so I got this off craigslist. The only good thing i can say is I spent 900 bucks on it. Were do i begin, the day after I bought it the drivers window went then a few days later the o2 senors went within the weeks after that problems ranging from a faulty alarm to the air suspension breaking. As of today I bought another car making this my third car in my only short year of driving. I thought the continental would be a great buy with the nice luxurious feel but boy was i wrong. This weekend i will be junking the car getting what I can for it. got it with 144,590 junking it with 145,718.

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  Last Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By scott5 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  We liked the appearance of the new Lincoln LS so after years of repeat Toyota purchases we decided to try the Lincoln. A big mistake. We have the same problems with the headlight that everyone has mentioned in other reviews. The day we brought the car home as a new vehicle the remote door opener did not work. Plus, the windows will not roll down in the back and the power door lock on a back door is stuck so the door will not open.Of course the dealer wants a fortune to fix these defects. I expect better quality for a car of this price. Dont waste your money on this overpriced Ford product. Buy the Lexus or the Avalon.

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  Buyer Beware - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By Buyer Beware - April 17 - 3:26 pm

  We were stupid when we traded in our 2005 Toyota Sequoia for this car. We wanted to get better gas mileage which it seems like it is getting about 2 to 3 mpg better. Seats are hard and very uncomfortable. If you are over 510" be sure to check out the leg room on both the passenger side as well as the drives side. My wife doesnt like the idea of not having a handle on the passenger side to assist her getting out of the car. I wouldnt buy this car again.

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  Buyer Beware!! - 2016 Lincoln MKX
  By debbie harwood - January 13 - 6:23 am

  I purchased the MKX in Oct. 2015. Loved the car until it stalled on the freeway in traffic with only 2200 miles on it. It has now stalled 2 more times with trips to the dealer and no definitive answers. They have called technical support and re calibrated RPMS and replaced temperature sensors. This is a brand new car with only 3800 miles. Hugh mistake and disappointment in Lincoln Customer service and Dealership.

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  poor wheel quality - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By bentley11 - November 24 - 2:23 am

  I have a 2006 zephyer with all options have 8 thousand miles on it bought new. The chrome is peeling off of the wheels I have talked to other owners and they have the same problem. I purchased an extended warranty I was told by lincoln the wheels are not covered. I have bought lincolns for over 30 years this will be my last terrible customer service. if you own one check your wheels

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  Dont waste your money!!!! - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By cgoodwin - November 10 - 9:43 pm

  A headache is all you will get from this car! So far, the transmission, 3 window motors, air conditioning valves, 2 thermostats, water container, and center control console have all been replaced. The chrome around the door handles are peeling off, control buttons are falling off....the car is the most expensive piece of crap Ive ever owned. I had a rental car for the entire 03 summer because they couldnt fix the problem. Ford has terrible customer service!! They do not stand behind there product at all. When the thermostat was replaced 2 months in a row, Ford quickly claimed, "Ford does not warranty the parts. It is preventative maintenance."

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  JUST SAY NO!!! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By bexley - October 29 - 2:00 am

  FROM SQUEAKY BRAKES TO A LEAKY TAIL GATE THIS VEHICLE HAS NOW DEVELOPED TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS. FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCTS AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO MARKET SUCH A VEHICLE. NEXT TIME I WILL BUY A CADILLAC

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  I was Prepared To Be Amazed But I Was Bamboozled - 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  By Scott in Wesern PA - October 24 - 3:20 pm

  To be fair, I was comparing this to the Mercedes E350, Cadillac CTS4, Audi A6 and a BMW 5 series. In my subjective testing of 15-30 minute test drives, each of these cars led or tied a category...The Lincoln was never a serious contender in any category. Cheap interior materials. A $1000+ top-of-the-line sound system that you swear is old fashioned boomboxes stuffed into the door panels. Significant squat upon moderate braking. Confidence un-inspiring body roll in curves. Over-boosted steering. At least they finally got the exterior styling correct as the new grill is beautiful. Significant road noise, could be the tires. I so wanted to like this car, and kept telling myself it stickered $15-$25,000 less than the others, but even at that price point I wouldnt pull the trigger as there are many other options in that price range that offer an engaging driving experience.