Overview & Reviews

When the Lincoln LS was first introduced, it was heralded as the domestic answer to the premium midsize sedans from Europe's luxury brands. At the time, the rear-drive LS had the look and the technology to compete with Europe's best in a way few American cars could. Early reviews pegged it as a 10 in terms of fun to drive, and some described it as a car that offered the roominess of a BMW 5 Series at the price of a 3 Series.

The LS had the option of a V6 or V8 and, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive configuration and well-tuned suspension, was reasonably entertaining on a back road. But as good as the LS seemed initially, the car became less appealing over the years as the ranks of newer, more competent and more luxurious entry-luxury sedans grew. With sales slowing, Lincoln discontinued the LS after the 2006 model year.

Though lacking a little in terms of prestige and refinement, the Lincoln LS is still a respectable choice for a used luxury sedan with sporting tendencies. Its pricing is lower than many competing models, and maintenance costs should also be slightly lower than those of some European cars, but don't expect the LS to be as trouble-free as its competitors from Japan.

Most Recent Lincoln LS

A midsize entry-luxury sedan, the Lincoln LS was produced for the 2000-'06 model years. Originally, the LS was available in just two trim levels differentiated by the engine equipped. The Lincoln LS V8 came with a 252-horsepower, 3.9-liter engine that moved the sedan from zero to 60 in 7.5 seconds. A five-speed automatic transmission was standard.

The less expensive choice was the LS V6. Its 3.0-liter engine provided just 210 hp but slightly better fuel economy. For this engine, Lincoln initially offered either a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic.

Standard features for both cars included dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, alloy wheels, foglights and ABS. However, a few upscale items, such as a navigation system, weren't initially offered.

At the time, we found that V8 versions of the Lincoln LS delivered smooth and acceptable acceleration. The ride was comfortable and compliant, and the LS was at its best when being used as a touring sedan rather than an all-out sport sedan. Notably, it was roomy enough to provide comfortable quarters for four adults. The interior materials were lacking in terms of quality, though, and storage space was minimal in the cabin.

Early models had automatic transmission problems, so it might be wise to avoid them on the used market. Even when that issue was addressed by Lincoln, shifts from the automatic were not exactly smooth and many customers still complained. For this reason, we'd advise any prospective LS buyer to do a thorough test-drive before making a purchase.

For 2003, Lincoln did its first major update on its midsize luxury sedan. Output for the V8 was raised to 280 hp, and the V6 added 12 hp for a total of 222. The five-speed manual that was available with the V6 was dropped due to lack of consumer interest.

Other changes that year included retuned steering (resulting in better feel), a retuned suspension (resulting in a slightly softer ride) and improved interior materials and storage. New features were also added, such as a navigation system, side curtain airbags and a THX sound system. To make the most of your used-car dollar, we suggest looking at 2003 or newer LS models.

A few other changes occurred before the Lincoln LS was discontinued. Satellite radio was added as a dealer-installed option for 2004, and Lincoln made additional improvements to the automatic transmission to improve shift quality. For the final year, the V6 version was dropped from the LS lineup.

User Reviews:

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  LS Lincoln Review - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Ron Brush - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Great handling, acceleration & braking. Extremly comfortable

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  LS review - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By cactus - August 30 - 8:56 pm

  great look, great features, great comfort. sound system is magnificent, promoted as very quiet - and it really is- road noise is not an issue.

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  great car so far - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By circlea - August 12 - 2:00 am

  i love this car!! i traded in a 2000 Ls and boy what a difference in the two cars!!everything has been improved in my opinion. i love driving this car.i never seem to get tired of driving it. there is more storage, better sound system, more horsepower and lots more upgrades.

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  LOVE MY CAR - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Wilma Renyer - July 19 - 10:00 am

  last car was a continental, loved it but feel our LS is a step up even though it is a bit smaller. Cannot tell any differance from the v-8 to a v-6 in driving performance

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  Best Car I ever drove - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By hmm - July 8 - 1:06 pm

  I have owned my 2001 LS (V8 Sport) for 7 months. A great handling / performance car. Compares well with BMW 5 series for a lot less money. The early bugs seemed to have been worked out. If you are considering a Lexus GS, BMW 5, Audi A6, Acura or Mercedes E, drive this car before buying. Then use the savings to buy your wife a new car so she will not take away your LS

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  Best car ever - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Ronnie Stripp - June 19 - 10:00 am

  My Lincoln is the best car I have ever driven. Its fun to drive, responsive and a beautiful design. I recommnd this car to anyone who can afford to buy it.

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  2006 Licoln LS, Great Buy ! - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By Fatboy1904 - June 10 - 3:30 pm

  This car replaces my 2001 LS V8. I love it. Cant believe I waited to trade up my other LS, as it had almost 108K on it. It is a true shame that Lincoln decided to discontinue this car. For the price, this car blows away 3&5 Series BMW, Lexus, Acura and all the others. Everyone who rides in this car cant believe it is a Lincoln and finds the complete luxury experience that you would expect from higher end vehicles. I bought the Elite Package with power everything, heated front & REAR seats, THX audio with Navigation, HID lights etc. The engine is smooth and quiet, not to mention 280 hp is more than enough to get in trouble. The car by far out handles most cars of this weight and class.

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  Sports Sedan - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By Jiggs - May 28 - 7:10 pm

  What a great sedan! Its good looking, well built, handles like a BMW and is surprisingly affordable. Why Lincoln didnt just continue to improve and fine tune it instead of stopping production in 2006 is beyond me.

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  They STILL dont believe its a Lincoln! - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Stan The Man - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Actually, Ive had my 2000 LS since 7/00 and have had no problems. A lot of great options for the money. Ive driven in all types of weather and this (rear wheel drive) car is very sure footed. Handles like no other car Ive ever driven! (Mercedes E320, Caddy Deville) Even now, they ask me what kind of car it is. Wouldnt want to own anything else!

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  What an incredible car !!! - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By JoeL - April 30 - 2:00 am

  This car was made for me. It has every possible feature and gadget that Id ever wanted and its just the right size, big trunk, seats four, folding seats, and an near perfect safety record. But its real strength is its handling and performance. Plenty of power (especially at highway speeds) and very controllable, neutral handling. Nothing upsets this car. The 2003s upgrades read like a list of the items that I wanted addressed when I drove the 2001. Lincoln has really created a great car.