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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  Decent buy - 2009 Lincoln MKZ
  By Carfan2008 - November 10 - 5:06 pm

  I am a huge fan of Lincoln. The MKZ offers a stylish car inside and out, with a smooth ride. The standard features are wonderful. The engine is also great. My biggest complaint though is the seats are too small, although comfortable and supportive.

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  love my car - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By HELEN - November 10 - 10:00 am

  like the ride.love to drive as well as fun.Will keep this car for couple years. Then will buy a new one.with more goodies and up to date always.

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  14-18 mpg is honest - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By driver - November 7 - 7:50 pm

  The 2005 Lincoln Aviator is easy to drive and they have thought of almost every amenity to make driving comfortable from heated/cooled seats and zoned climate controls to all radio and cruise contols on the steering wheel. The sensors in the rear bumper are a plus for me since this is the first non sedan type for me. I havent owned it long enough to have an opinion about the build quality or reliabilty. My average is 15 mpg and I have driven 3,000 miles (1/2 city and 1/2 highway). Lincoln indicates 14-18 mpg which is true. I make trips to the airport often and it has plenty of room for 4 engineers and their gear plus me the driver.

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  Love it !! - 2002 Lincoln Continental
  By Tim - November 7 - 4:30 pm

  Bought this car mainly for the 4 door, just had baby. Absolutely love it! Only complaint I have is the front drive. I much prefer rear drive, but couldnt find a decent Lincoln LS at the time I needed the car. Had it a year now and love it more every time I drive it. Great gas mileage for the level of comfort, 20 around town 28 on highway usually. No problems at all with this fine auto. Ford did a horrible job promoting this, hence its unfortunate demise.

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  The Ultimate - 2007 Lincoln Navigator
  By Anthony T - November 6 - 11:06 am

  I am a previous Navigator owner. Looked to downsize for better fuel economy. Once I sat in the 2007 it was all over. The comfort and ride cant be beat.

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  heater problems - 2005 Lincoln Aviator
  By joel - November 5 - 6:16 pm

  In very cold weather the side window defroster malfunctions. It sends a stream of cold air. Lincoln is familiar with problem and is not willing to fix. As a result of problem front seat riders have a constant stream of cold air in their face! This is an obvious defect that may be a problem in other Lincoln products.

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  best suv to date - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By deno - November 2 - 11:23 am

  The worse the weather the more I love the navigator. It shows its true colors in snow, rain, ice, noreasters and blizzards. Definitely getting another one.

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  It stole my heart! - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Sweet-C-Phil - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Im a small business owner and expect the most value for every dollar I spend. After the minor problems I had with my first LS (2000), I swore Id never buy another though over all, the car isnt that bad. Well lookie lookie! Here I am driving another one and I must say, Ive been swept off my feet! Everything about this car is great. I feel safe and secure in this vehicle and it turns a lot of heads too! I call mine "Black Beauty!" Im glad I picked Lincoln again! I swear I can see and feel all 500 improvements on this car! My husband gets nervous when I drive "His" car. Not because he thinks Ill damage it, he thinks I may NEVER come home!

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  navigator - 2003 Lincoln Navigator
  By lyndan - November 1 - 10:00 am

  It is a very powerful car and has alot of qualities everyone should own one.I love the comfort of the seats to .

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  Not for everyone, but perfect for us! - 2008 Lincoln Mark LT
  By bar20 - October 27 - 4:26 pm

  I am 61 my wife is 55. This truck meets our needs perfectly. We wanted a truck that we could occasionly use for hauling as well as an excellent highway cruiser and mall hauler. We chose the white chocolate exterior and parchiment interior. I find the build quality to be excellent. Our truck did have a cloudy drivers side mirror and was replaced under warranty. The stereo with Sirius radio is outstanding. The 5.4L engine has plenty of power. My wife drove the truck from Palm Springs to the SF Bay Area a distance of about 600 miles and loved the way it drove and felt. There are still some 08s still available and I would say if you are looking for an upscale pickup this just might be it.