America's quiet luxury leader. Founded by Henry Leland in 1917, acquired by Ford in 1922, and revived in the SUV era with the Navigator as its flagship. Independent editorial research — not affiliated with Ford Motor Company or Lincoln.
ⓘ Independent editorial research. Disclaimer
Editorial revenue estimates. Toggle time range. Figures are editorial compilations — verify at sec.gov for parent company (Ford Motor Company) filings.
Independent editorial research on Lincoln — not affiliated with Ford Motor Company. All figures are editorial estimates compiled from publicly available sources.
Lincoln is Lincoln is Ford Motor Company's premium luxury brand — once a standalone carmaker, now the American challenger to Cadillac and European luxury marques. Built on craftsmanship, quiet power, and sanctuary-style interiors.
Lincoln was founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland, who had previously founded Cadillac. The brand was named after Abraham Lincoln, whom Leland had voted for in the 1864 election. Leland's original vision was to build precision-engineered American luxury cars capable of competing with Rolls-Royce and European marques.
In 1922, Ford Motor Company acquired Lincoln after the brand faced financial difficulties. Under Ford, Lincoln became the prestige flagship — the car driven by presidents and celebrities. The Lincoln Continental, introduced in 1939 as a personal project by Edsel Ford, became one of the most iconic American luxury cars ever produced.
Lincoln's modern era is defined by the SUV pivot of the 2010s. After discontinuing all sedans by 2020 (including the Continental), Lincoln refocused entirely on luxury SUVs: Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator, and Navigator. The Navigator in particular has driven a meaningful Lincoln resurgence, competing directly with the Cadillac Escalade and commanding prices above $80,000. Lincoln remains a wholly owned Ford Motor Company subsidiary, marketed separately from Ford-branded vehicles.
Editorial reference guide to current Lincoln models. MSRPs are base prices and subject to change. MPG figures are EPA estimates. Insurance estimates are editorial averages — not quotes.
| Model | Type | Base MSRP | Fuel Economy | Avg Insurance Est. | Reliability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair | Compact Luxury SUV | $38,045 | 23 city / 31 hwy | $168/mo est. | Good | Entry-point Lincoln — strong value vs German alternatives |
| Nautilus | Mid-size Luxury SUV | $50,580 | 21 city / 28 hwy | $185/mo est. | Good | 2024 redesign with PHEV option — compelling mid-size pick |
| Aviator | 3-Row Luxury SUV | $56,205 | 19 city / 26 hwy | $195/mo est. | Good | Grand Touring PHEV offers 21 mi electric range |
| Navigator | Full-Size Luxury SUV | $78,310 | 16 city / 22 hwy | $265/mo est. | Average | Flagship — competes with Escalade and Range Rover |
| Navigator L | Full-Size Extended SUV | $83,210 | 16 city / 21 hwy | $280/mo est. | Average | Extended wheelbase for maximum rear-seat space |
Editorial reliability reference. Lower score = fewer reported problems per 100 vehicles. These are editorial estimates — not authoritative survey data. Always consult NHTSA.gov/recalls for VIN-specific recall history.
Independent editorial history of Lincoln. Not affiliated with or reviewed by Ford Motor Company.
Lincoln was founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland, who had previously founded Cadillac. The brand was named after Abraham Lincoln, whom Leland had voted for in the 1864 election. Leland's original vision was to build precision-engineered American luxury cars capable of competing with Rolls-Royce and European marques.
In 1922, Ford Motor Company acquired Lincoln after the brand faced financial difficulties. Under Ford, Lincoln became the prestige flagship — the car driven by presidents and celebrities. The Lincoln Continental, introduced in 1939 as a personal project by Edsel Ford, became one of the most iconic American luxury cars ever produced.
Lincoln's modern era is defined by the SUV pivot of the 2010s. After discontinuing all sedans by 2020 (including the Continental), Lincoln refocused entirely on luxury SUVs: Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator, and Navigator. The Navigator in particular has driven a meaningful Lincoln resurgence, competing directly with the Cadillac Escalade and commanding prices above $80,000. Lincoln remains a wholly owned Ford Motor Company subsidiary, marketed separately from Ford-branded vehicles.
Editorial corporate research. Stock tickers are reference only — not investment advice. Verify at sec.gov.
Lincoln is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F). It does not have independent stock, financials, or board of directors. Ford's Jim Farley serves as CEO of both Ford and its divisions including Lincoln. Lincoln operates with dedicated design, product planning, and marketing teams but shares platforms, powertrains, and manufacturing with Ford.
Select a Lincoln model and a competitor to compare ownership costs, reliability, and specs side by side.
| Metric | — | — |
|---|
Estimated insurance cost tiers by model. Rates vary by state, age, driving history, credit, and insurer. Independently compiled editorial estimates — not licensed from insurers.
| Model | Avg Mo. Premium | Annual Est. | Insurance Tier | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair | $168/mo | $2,016/yr | Low-Moderate | Compact luxury — moderate repair costs |
| Nautilus | $185/mo | $2,220/yr | Moderate | Mid-size luxury — PHEV option affects premiums |
| Aviator | $195/mo | $2,340/yr | Moderate | 3-row SUV — competitive with German rivals |
| Navigator | $265/mo | $3,180/yr | High | Flagship full-size — high MSRP, theft target |
| Navigator L | $280/mo | $3,360/yr | High | Extended flagship — top premium tier |
Click any block to expand. Each answers a high-volume search question.
Lincoln does not report revenue separately from Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F). Ford FY2024 total revenue was approximately $185 billion (per public Ford SEC 10-K; verify at sec.gov). Lincoln’s contribution is not broken out publicly — estimates place Lincoln at roughly 3–5% of Ford’s North American revenue.
⚠ Revenue data is editorial reference only. Not investment advice. Verify at sec.gov or stellantis.com/investors.
Jim Farley serves as President & CEO of Ford Motor Company, Lincoln’s parent, since 2020. Lincoln’s brand operations are led by a dedicated brand VP within Ford’s Lincoln Motor Company division. Lincoln does not have a separate publicly announced CEO.
Lincoln is an American brand, fully owned by Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), an American corporation headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. Lincoln vehicles are designed and engineered in the United States.
Lincoln vehicles are assembled primarily in the United States. The Lincoln Nautilus is assembled in Oakville, Ontario (Canada). The Lincoln Corsair is assembled in Louisville, KY. The Lincoln Aviator and Navigator are assembled in Chicago, IL.
Lincoln ranks in the mid-tier for reliability among luxury brands in independent assessments. The Lincoln Navigator has shown improved reliability in recent years. The Aviator plug-in hybrid has experienced more early production concerns. Overall, Lincoln reliability is comparable to Buick and above some European luxury competitors.
⚠ Reliability data is independently compiled from publicly available sources. Editorial estimates only. Always verify with current owner reports and NHTSA data at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Lincoln vs Cadillac is the definitive American luxury rivalry. Key differences: Lincoln emphasizes sanctuary-style quiet cabins, coach doors (Aviator, Continental), and a warmer aesthetic. Cadillac leans toward performance (Blackwing V-Series, Super Cruise). In pricing, both brands compete from ~$38K (entry crossovers) to $100K+ (Navigator/Escalade). Escalade vs Navigator is the highest-stakes matchup — Navigator holds its own on interior quality; Escalade leads on brand recognition and resale.
Frequently asked questions about Lincoln — answered with editorial research. Not affiliated with Ford Motor Company.
Most Lincoln SUVs are assembled in the United States and Canada. The Navigator and Navigator L are built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky. The Nautilus is now built in China for certain markets. Always verify current assembly locations via the window sticker or VIN decoder.
Lincoln exited the sedan market with the discontinuation of the Continental in 2020. The brand now focuses exclusively on SUVs, which is where luxury sales have concentrated. Lincoln has stated no plans to re-enter the sedan segment.
Neither is categorically 'better' — they compete in overlapping segments with different brand identities. Lincoln prioritizes interior quiet, comfort, and sanctuary-style ambiance. Cadillac has leaned into performance and technology (Super Cruise, V-Series). For SUV comfort, Lincoln often edges Cadillac. For performance, Cadillac's V-Series leads. Buyer preference varies significantly.
Lincoln's reliability is considered average to good among luxury SUVs. J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Studies (referenced editorially) have placed Lincoln in the mid-tier for dependability in recent years. The Navigator has had more reported issues than the Corsair and Nautilus. Always consult NHTSA.gov/recalls for recall history on specific model years.
Lincoln targets buyers aged 45–65 seeking a comfortable, quiet luxury experience over performance or status projection. The brand is popular with retirees, executives, and buyers who prefer understated luxury to German sport-oriented alternatives. Lincoln's CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) program makes entry accessible at lower price points.
ⓘ Editorial recall context only. Not affiliated with Lincoln or NHTSA. Always verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Disclaimer →
Independent editorial guide. Not affiliated with Lincoln, dealers, or any resale platform. Not purchasing advice.
Navigator used market is strong — high demand keeps values elevated. Aviator PHEV offers used federal tax credit eligibility. Corsair good entry luxury used at 2–3 years.
ⓘ Editorial guide only. Not purchasing, legal, or financial advice. Always conduct independent due diligence. Disclaimer →