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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  nice car !! - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Daniel Castillo - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is a good compeition for BMW,Mercedes Benz, Lexus, etc. and is more afordable than most luxury cars.

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  My Pleasure - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By gtex - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Pleasure to drive. Comfort plus performance,

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  ls - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By chin man - April 10 - 2:00 am

  the buying experiance was excellent. the most friendly people i have run into, and i have bought 4 new cars in 8 years. the veh handles excellent and is tighter than i thought possible with a sedan. driving at 90mph feels like 50. could use low end oomph. overall i like it.

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  LS - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Pen - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car because JD Power had given it excellent reviews but my experience with the quality was poor. It was in the shop a lot. Now I am look at having to buy a new car because my warranty is up and I do not want to take any chances on having a major repair like in the past.

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  Get a Move On! ( The Lincoln Theme Song) - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Stan The Man - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Just took my 2003 LS home. I got home about one hour after I purchased it. Not because the dealer is far away, I just couldnt stop driving it! Much more fun and much better built than my 00 LS and I thought that one was great. I dont know why this car receives such lukewarm reviews. Could it be that those who give the reviews are BMW, CTS and Acura owners and dont want to admit you can get so much car at such a great price? Dont know dont care...Varoom!

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  2003 LincolnLS - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By msteinberg - March 25 - 10:00 am

  It is a great car to drive EXCEPT in the snow. The car will fish tail.

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  Id buy another - wish the V8 had a 5 Sp - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By Greg R-LSv6 - March 23 - 8:03 pm

  I am an ex race car owner/driver. I wanted a reasonably priced performance sedan. While I want the BMW M5, it is outrageously expensive. The Ls is very fun to drive, predictable, and honestly powerful enough for street driving. I look forward to every trip in that car. A key buying factor was the Gertrag 5-speed. I had to have a manual

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  Great looks & performance...poor quality - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By skparker - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This is a great looking car...lots of power and super handling. But it had just too many problems to list...transmision, rear end, front suspension, it ate tires (3 sets in 72k miles...mostly hiway!). The service mgr at the dealer once told me I just had to accept the shimmy in the front end. Trim pieces (back of seats, door panels) kept falling off, the CD player would quit after a couple of hours. I just got tired of leaving it with the dealer. By the end of the lease, I couldnt WAIT to get out of it.

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  03 LS - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Duff - March 16 - 12:36 am

  Never docile, and averages 20 mpg for mixed driving. Nice fit and finish inside as well as out. The perfect 50/50 front to rear balance almost makes you forget this is a rear wheel drive car, until you Shift to sport mode, and it becomes a GT Mustang! While rear leg room can get cramped, driver comfort is excellent. The heated and cooled front seats are nice. One of the best riding cars I have ever owned, and beats out the 5 series BMW I sold to get it.

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  The Drivers Car - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By jimb - March 14 - 12:50 am

  If this car had a better transmission and a little more power it would be nearly perfect. The V8 offers great passing acceleration and the handling is great. In addition, on an 800 mile I-70 trip I averaged 28 mpg!