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:

• 

  Fun and Very Comfortable for the City - 2010 Lincoln MKX
  By art - September 11 - 7:43 am

  Decided to buy a comfortable, yet practical car for around the city. I need to be able to comfortably maneuver and park in garages. I also wanted something high end and very well built and with good value. For me the 2010 MKX fit the bill. I received a good deal for a fully loaded model and it turned out to be only a few thousand more than a loaded Ford Edge, but, much better appointed. Get the Xilon coating. The first week I parked it outside at a shopping center and some retard decided to key it from the front fender all the way down to the rear. It buffed right out.

• 

  Solid in every way - 2008 Lincoln Navigator
  By jnd - September 10 - 5:36 am

  This is our second Navigator and this is much better then the 2005 model we replaced. Recently towed a 7500 lb boat and had the vehicle packed for vacation, trip was 120 miles each way and averaged 11 mpg. Handled the trailer like a champ. This model is significantly quiter then the model it replaces and seems smaller even though it is the same size. Engine and drive train are the same as the 2005 but the 2008 uses regular gas. Plenty of room for passengers and gear and the 3rd row seats are very comfortable even for large adults. The high itensity headlights are not as bright as the 2005 but the coverage is very good.

• 

  Nothing better than a Lincoln - 1996 Lincoln Town Car
  By pureghol - September 9 - 5:43 am

  I did not like this body design until I drove one. I have owned a 81 and 88 T/Cs and it has been a real surprise to me that it is now extinct. My car performs exceedingly well and the controls are easy to reach. The ride is surprisingly smooth. Two of my relatives after riding in it went out and got their own. I would buy another one in a heartbeat! Mine has the dual exhaust and the extra power is really felt when I lean on it.

• 

  ls - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By johnny boy - September 6 - 2:00 am

  overall, i am pleased. there are few concerns i have. there is not much interior space for storing things (cds, maps, etc. the ride is not as smooth as i thought, but then again, this is a sport car and not the lincoln town car

• 

  My first Lincoln and not my last! - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Vinoguy - September 3 - 10:00 am

  This was my first Lincoln, first LS and first 0% loan! Great sound system....it helps with the road noise. The 2004 LS seems to be more quiet. Im waiting for a major body change on the LS before I purchase another one. You can bet Ill get the premium sound system and the sports package. I have had no problems with my LS. I drive it hard and really use the brakes....which had to be replaced at 35K....which was covered under the warranty. Otherwise no repairs! It is every bit as good as a BMW, Lexus or Benz and not as much $$. My friends have these high dollar cars and the repair bills to go with them.

• 

  A Really Great Car - 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
  By Rudy - August 31 - 5:16 pm

  I have had this car for over six months now and everything about it has been great. It is fun to drive and is very comfortable. Just returned from a trip and averaged 26.8 MPG. I am glad to see that the American manufacturer has put out a quality product that is not only competitive when it comes to quality and style but also a true value for the price.

• 

  Pretty nice ride..... - 1998 Lincoln Continental
  By "Mr. Stubbs" - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought this used (hey -- Im a Ford man) cause I refuse to pay big bucks for this or any kind of car - beside, theres a lot of good used ones out there - so I found this super clean 98 Connie in pale gold with low miles (30K) and got the "whole enchelada" extended warranty. I love the ride of this pimpmobile! The 32 valve engine has a really sweet sound. One of the best cars Ive had.

• 

  4 improvements - 2003 Lincoln Aviator
  By mkmc - August 31 - 2:00 am

  So close to perfection but...I wish the rear seat was split-fold, I wish the second row could be heated and cooled,I wish the console could be optional in the second row so that my passengers could "pass through" like they do in a mini-van and avoid the hassle of sliding the seat forward, and I wish the gear shift and 4 wheel drive mechanisms where designed like on the old Expedition so that I had room for my purse on that center console in the front.

• 

  Many thumbs up for my Black Beauty w/chr - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By VTMoon - August 27 - 7:50 pm

  I very satisfy with the purchase of my Lincoln Aviator. I could not ask for a better mid-size SUV. Yes, gas mile is poor but if you can afford the vehicle you can afford the gas. Looks good, rides good, sounds good, This is my 1st SUV and 1st american made purchase since 1994. (Im a Lexus man but this aviator is tranforming me in to a Lincoln-SUV man). I am shock that the Aviator does not get better reviews. I did a lot of research and the Aviator is the best in appearance and power and it not just a jacked up station wagon like many of the other Mid-size so call SUV.

• 

  Lincoln Has a New Faithful Customer - 2010 Lincoln MKZ
  By J. Raw - August 27 - 7:00 am

  I bought my MKZ with Front Wheel Drive a Month ago. I am just under the 1000 mile mark and Love driving this Car. It has great handling and powerful on the highways. Im Looking foward to taking it on a nice long road trip. I was always into GM Cars and liked Caddys and Buicks, but The Grill of the MKZ caught my eyes. New York had 2 major blizzards so far and the Front wheel drive was more then enough to get me to work on time. Its roomy inside.I always Bought big flag ship GM models and never the smaller model.I looked at the 2010 La Crosse which I think is very Nice along with the CTS but I found that the Lincoln MKZ felt less confining. if You like USA cars the MKZ is a great choice.