NEW LINCOLN LS
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Car and Driver website visitor rankings:
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| Here's how our visitors have reviewed this vehicle. |
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Average Rating |
| Overall |
8.49 |
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| Vehicle Styling |
9.66 |
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| Braking |
8.94 |
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| Handling |
9.37 |
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| Fuel Economy |
6.78 |
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| Interior Comfort |
8.85 |
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| Acceleration |
9.48 |
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| Dependability |
8.45 |
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| Fit and Finish |
7.5 |
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| Transmission |
8.1 |
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| Ride |
9.71 |
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| Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best
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| To read other User Road Tests or to submit your own review click here |
(Read more of Car and Driver's review here)
 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A smooth, comfortable American sedan with a good heart, but it lacks the refinement and athleticism of its competition.
Pros
Confident steering and handling, optional V8 delivers plenty of smooth and quiet power, comfortable and roomy interior, optional THX-certified sound system.
Cons
Manual transmission no longer offered, build quality lags behind German and Japanese competitors, not as nimble as other sport sedans in its class.
What''s New for 2004
The V8 Premium Sport is now called the V8 Ultimate. Minor suspension and transmission upgrades provide less noise and smoother shifts. Sirius Satellite Radio is now a dealer-installed option.
Overview
Introduction:
Introduced for the 2000 model year, the rear-drive LS is Lincoln''s most advanced vehicle in terms of technology and engineering, and it is attracting a much younger clientele than Lincoln dealerships are traditionally used to seeing. From the start, Lincoln aimed the LS squarely at the European brands and, specifically, BMW and Mercedes buyers. Plunk down $30,000 to $40,000, and you get a well-mannered sedan with a domestic nameplate, with your choice of V6 or V8 power, and plenty of room for four adults. Out on the road, it plays the part of a touring sedan almost perfectly, offering both a smooth ride and confident handling. In 2003, the LS benefited from extensive updates that saw its 3.9-liter V8 pick up an additional 28 horsepower for a total of 280, while the 3.0-liter V6 got a smaller boost to a respectable total of 232. Minor transmission and suspension improvements were added for 2004 to further refine the LS'' shift quality and road manners. Last year''s model also received interior improvements designed to give the car a more upscale ambience (real walnut trim found its way to the options list) and more storage space. Features like side curtain airbags, a high-grade sound system and an on-board navigation system also were added to the options list last year. Although the Lincoln LS is still a step behind its competition when it comes to providing the full entry-level luxury sedan experience, it still offers enough of what some buyers are looking for to make it worth a look. If a smooth, quiet ride, spacious cabin and American nameplate on the hood are important to you, the LS will serve you well -- and for a lot less than many of its competitors.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Lincoln has simplified the options packages for the 2004 model year. You can choose a V6 Luxury (formerly V6 Base) with a host of standard features like dual-zone climate control and power pedal adjusters. The V6 Premium package gets you heated and cooled front seats covered in perforated leather, wood trim, a power moonroof, power-folding mirrors and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Step up to the V8 Sport and you''ll get most of the features of the V6 Premium, along with 17-inch wheels, the automanual transmission and aluminum interior trim. Go whole hog with the V8 Ultimate (formerly V8 Premium Sport) and receive HID headlamps, AdvanceTrac stability control and a sport-tuned suspension. (An LS version with chrome wheels, a unique front fascia and wood trim rounds out the LS line.) Other options include a DVD-based navigation system and a THX-certified, 10-speaker audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Powertrains and Performance:
Buyers can choose from two power plants. The first is a 3.0-liter V6 that produces 232 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. Next up is a 3.9-liter V8 that boasts 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 286 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. Both are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission; V8 models come with an automanual gate for drivers who want to do their own shifting.
Safety:
Traction control is standard across the line, while the AdvanceTrac stability control system is standard on the V8 Ultimate, but optional on all other trims. The four-wheel antilock disc brakes are equipped with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and BrakeAssist. Side airbags for front passengers are standard on all models; full-length head curtain airbags and rear parking sensors are optional. In NHTSA crash testing, the LS scored a perfect five stars for driver and front passenger protection. Side-impact tests resulted in a four-star score for front-seat occupants and five stars for rear-seat passengers. In 40-mph frontal offset crash testing by the IIHS, the LS received a "Good" rating (the best possible).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Materials quality is not up to the level of import competitors'', but real wood, faux titanium and chrome accents add some visual interest to the LS cockpit. The leather upholstery is soft to the touch, and although the well-cushioned chairs provide excellent comfort during highway cruising, their lack of lateral support makes them unsuitable for more spirited driving. The backseat offers more room than most entry-level luxury sedans as even six-footers will find ample head-, leg- and foot room.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The V6 has ample power to get the LS up to speed amidst everyday traffic and is a solid choice for those on a budget, but the V8 is where the fun lies. Smooth and gutsy off the line, it remains quiet while providing strong acceleration from almost any speed. The LS'' handling is commendable considering its size, but as the turns get smaller the LS begins to feel bigger. Excellent highway manners make it a terrific car for eating up long stretches of pavement, but as a true sport sedan it''s average at best.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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