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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  Great Car - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Hodge - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Have been unable to find any flaws with car. So far, I have not experienced any problems or disappointment. The car is fun to drive and I fell the V6 has adequate power. I have owned quite a few different makes and models and I would definitely say this is my favorite. I could ay the interior storage intially was a concern, but my previous car had a lot of storage and it was actually full of junk. I have not missed the storage except in a few instances.

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Lincoln LS
  By gkhize - February 13 - 9:57 pm

  I put 150K on a 2001 LS without incident and then traded it for the 2006 with 5K.I have been very happy with this car in every single way and now have over 160K miles on it. The only issue Ive had was replacing the thermostat. Its a bit of a challenge and the guy changing it (me) didnt get the housing tight the first time. No issues after that. Runs great, drives great, gets decent mpg and still looks good. Id buy a new one tomorrow if they still made them.

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  Favorite Car - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Rev.Zeb C. Williams - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I have no complaints - just wish the gas mileage were a little better. It handles so much better than the Town Car I traded in on it. Its quick handling and accelaration have prevented two would-be bad accidents. It is the best car Ive ever driven, let alone owned and I have owned some wonderful autos. And the service by the dealer has been great. This is my second Lincoln LS. I hope I can always have an LS!

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  02 Lincoln LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Rene - February 5 - 2:53 pm

  My Lincoln LS V8 has been the best car I have ever owned. At 68000 miles; it has yet to have one mechanical problem. I am still running on the original brakes, tires and battery - and all Ive done is change the oil and rotate the tires as scheduled. It has been a blast to drive. When I bought it I was also considering the BMW 5 series and the Jaguar X and S Types. I think I got the best bang for my buck. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a fun car to drive, lots of power, great handling - at a very reasonable price.

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  2001 LS v8 Sport - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By seagull - February 5 - 2:20 pm

  Have owned my LS 9 months and have driven it from coast to coast and back and from the mid Atlantic coast to Florida. This is the best handling most responsive vehicle I have owned, and there have been a lot from Cadillacs down.

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  BMW and MB cant touch this car - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By mec57 - January 27 - 12:37 am

  Ive driven many luxury and near luxury cars in my adult life. This includes several BMW and Mercedes Benz automobiles. The Lincoln LS V8 is, by far, the best driving and best value of any vehicles in its class at the time. I understand people have had issues with transmissions, coils and electronics. Honestly, Ive had all of the coils replaced under a service bulletin. The transmission valve body was also changed under a service bulletin. Other than that, there have been nothing other than normal maintenance items. In over 115K miles, I have only had to put one new set of brakes on the car and 2 sets of tires (I stuck with the Michelin OE because they lasted so long).

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  Perfect Sedan for 2 Years Now! - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By cascadecolibri - January 19 - 3:40 pm

  We bought this car used in 2011 while I was expecting our first child. I would not settle for a vehicle if safety was in question. The comfort and space were perfect for my back and belly! The driver side easy-exit seat was awesome! I felt safe riding home from the hospital with my new born daughter. In the time since we purchased it we have only had to do basic maintenance- oil changes, transmission fluid & air filter etc. Coming up on needing new tires. Apart from that I have had No Issues and it has been a blessing. Wish it handled better though. When my daughter is not with me Id like a more exciting drive, but it might be best that it doesnt handle like a sports car...

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  Good sports car not a family car - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Bring back the LS - December 4 - 5:06 pm

  I have had the vehicle for a few years now. I have had just a few problems with it. the valve cover gaskets leaked, the chrome on the inside of the rims had oxidated and potted out. I recently had to purchase new rims for the vehicle 8(. Over all the car has been a good car gets okay fuel mileage for a V8. Only thing i wish it had more of is storage room in the trunk and room in the car with 2 kids it can be a tight fit on long trips.

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  SCORE ! - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By birdmanjones - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Lincoln did a great job in breaking the mid size sport sedan market. Bigger with comparable performance to the BMW 5 without the "biff" image. Also nice that its not produced in mass numbers where theyre on every corner.

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  I love my Lincoln LS - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By WJS - November 17 - 2:33 am

  I bought this car in 2004 and it had 20,000 miles on it. I have loved it since the day I bought it. It is sporty and is so pretty when it is all cleaned up. The V-8 makes for wonderful performance. Ive looked on the internet and find that some new 6 cylinders dont get the mpg that I do with this one. (19 in the city and 26 on the highway)