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 Aviator - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By Rosemarie - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive always wanted a Navigator, but it was way too big for me. After test driving the Aviator, I knew this was the car for me. It is extremely comfortable, plenty of leg room and everything on the dashboard is in reach. I can fit my sons friends in comfort while they watch a DVD or listen to music. The ride is very smooth. A++

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  I could have done better! - 2004 Lincoln Aviator
  By backwards - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Interior less user friendly than earlier models. Dome lights dont shine where you need them to. Analog clock, now really...it could at least be readable. Flimsy console. Clumsy info center. Armrests gone! These are only the things that distract you from driving. Overall I think I could have presented a better design inside and outside. They took more steps backwards than they took forward.

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  I love my LS - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Stan - January 22 - 9:33 pm

  Ive had this car since it was brand new, and I still enjoy driving it. It has a perfect weight distribution (50% front and 50% rear) and so it has an amazing amount of stability and road gripping ability. Admittedly, I baby it quite a bit ( I always keep it in the garage, always service on time, and dont put on a lot of miles), but Ive had very little trouble with this car in almost seven years of driving it. My daughter will be starting to drive soon, and she is begging me to give her the car. She loves it, but Im not sure that I want to give it up!

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  Nothing rides like a lincoln! - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
  By daniel49546 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, I always have loved Lincolns air ride. Seats are comfortable and spacious, Cup holders are an improvement. Heated seats and gps are quality.

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  LS - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By ajames - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely reliable, elegant vehicle.

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  Nice little UCV/SUV - 2007 Lincoln MKX
  By New to Lincoln - January 2 - 6:03 am

  Im not big on American cars but I had this car for about 5 months now and I can say I get alot of enjoyment out of it. Its the base model and the only thing I dislike is the gas mileage. Its only an expensive ford edge so if you want something a little less expensive go with the edge. The interior is great though. Love the layout of the dash. Front headroom is a little limiting but not a big deal. Fun to drive, has great pick up, sound system great, and TONS of front passenger storage. Takes regualr gas and performs excellent

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  My 2000 Navigator - 2000 Lincoln Navigator
  By rjs5689 - January 1 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is not the greatest of preformers (what do you expect from almost 3tons and an under powerd engine) but other than that i love the vehicle. on long trips to maine from here in NY its about 7hrs and this vehicle just makes the whole trip enjoyable.

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  Never Lease From Lincoln - 2013 Lincoln MKX
  By aaayron - December 28 - 11:30 am

  Its a bad idea to lease anything from Lincoln. Did you know that at the end of your lincoln lease, if you want to trade in your lincoln to anyone else but Lincoln, they will not release the car to anyone but you (the lessee) or a Lincoln dealer. I found this out the hard way today when i went to trade my leased Lincoln in for a cadilac. The cadilac dealership was giving me a good price that would have covered the payoff and the last 3 payments on my lease, but they would not allow cadillac to buy the car. being over my mileage, I could have avoided the mileage fees, excess wear and the last 3 payments. Now i have to use half my down payment i set asside just to get out of my lease.

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  My First Lincoln - 2004 Lincoln Navigator
  By KSnav - December 27 - 12:20 am

  This is my 1st Lincoln & I really like it so far. Great ride & roomy for a big guy, my wife & 3 boys. The dealer has really been impressive & I will be trying out the service deptartment soon.

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  Very good but not great - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By brxv - December 22 - 10:00 am

  A BIG car ride and drive. A truly excellent dollar value, lots of toys, driver select system is quite good. Driver information center is very easy to operate and love the compass. Gas mileage for the 275 HP Intech is quite good. And...the Continental is smooth and powerful on take off. Front-wheel drive leads to slight oversteer. Thus you dont have the feel of a great American luxo-cruiser. Good....not great. Much, much better value than Audi A6, Acura any model, Volvo, Jaguar, Lexus or any of the other mid luxury cars. THE VERY BEST CLIMATE CONTROL AND AC of any vehicle I have experienced.