Lincoln
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.
Edmunds Latest Lincoln News
Related information
Edmunds Top Rated
- Edmunds top rated electric cars
- Edmunds top rated electric SUVs
- Edmunds top rated cars
- Edmunds top rated SUVs
- Edmunds top rated electric trucks
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Buick LaCrosse 2016
- Used BMW Z4 2014
- Used Audi R8 2010
- Used Toyota Venza 2012
- Used Ram ProMaster City 2017
- Used Audi S6 2019
- Used Lincoln Navigator 2016
- Used INFINITI FX 2011
- Used Aston Martin DB9 2018
- Used Nissan Armada 2014
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- 2025 Grand Cherokee
- New Hyundai Kona
- 2025 Hyundai Tucson
- 2025 Highlander Hybrid
- Chevrolet Blazer 2025
- Ford Explorer 2025
- Kia Sportage 2025
- 2025 Palisade
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade News
Lease deals by make
- GMC Lease Deals
- Nissan Lease Deals
- Land Rover Lease Deals
- Volkswagen Lease Deals
- Mazda Lease Deals
- Volvo Lease Deals
- Genesis Lease Deals
- BMW Lease Deals
- Hyundai Lease Deals
- Kia Lease Deals
Lease deals by model
- Dodge Challenger Lease Deals
- Honda CR-V Lease Deals
- Kia Telluride Lease Deals
- Volvo XC90 Lease Deals
- Volkswagen Atlas Lease Deals
- Dodge Charger Lease Deals
- Toyota Highlander Lease Deals
- Honda Civic Lease Deals
- Audi Q8 Lease Deals
- Ford Mustang Lease Deals
Other models
- Used Porsche 968 in Ballwin, MO 1995
- Used Hyundai Azera in Acworth, GA 2017
- Used Audi Q8-Sportback-E-Tron in Gambrills, MD 2024
- Used Jeep Grand-Cherokee in Lancaster, PA 2025
- Used BMW 4-Series-Gran-Coupe in Williamston, NC 2025
- Used Ineos Grenadier in North Ridgeville, OH 2025
- Used Jeep Cherokee in North Royalton, OH 2024
- Used GMC Savana-Cargo in Chico, CA 2024
- New Audi Q5-Sportback for Sale in Huntsville, TX
- New Alfa-Romeo Giulia for Sale in Omaha, NE