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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  Love-Hate relationship - 2000 Lincoln LS
  By JSS - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I love the way the car handles and looks, but have had more than my share of problems! One rear end rebuild, 2 rear axles and bearings replaced, 4 headlight units relaced, and airbag problems, have me thinking about a replacement car already!

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  Wouldnt Trade For Nothing - 2003 Lincoln LS
  By Road Angel - May 17 - 5:40 am

  This is my dream car. The ride is smooth, the performance beyond expectation, the feeling of grandeur as you weave in and out of traffic. The sound quality, the look of the vehicle itself also tend to relax the mood when driving under stressful conditions. This baby has definitely become mamas new toy.

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  Lincoln LS beats BMW 5 Series - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By Terry Hunt - May 13 - 10:00 am

  My wife owns a 2004 BMW and my LS handles better, gets better gas mileage, built better, has more power and costs $10K less than the BMW 5 series. I traded in a Lexus 330 for this LS and am glad I did. The rear wheel drive in the LS handles much better in emergency situations than the loose feel of the Lexus and the luxury feel is equal if not better.

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  2001 LS Review - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By cahill - May 13 - 4:33 am

  Bought the LS in 2002 as a new car. Am totally satisfied. It feels like a car I can still rely on especially with 130,000 miles on it. I had to replace the window regulator twice, once on the driver side and once on the passenger side. The cause both times were the plastic rollers and not the regulators. Also the drivers seat heater quit working. Other than that I love the car and would buy one again it it ever goes back into production.

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  Hot Rod Lincoln - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By KAL - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Cant find a single flaw so far.This car is perfect. Fast,quiet and handles like my old corvette.Fun to drive.

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  2001 LS Review - 2001 Lincoln LS
  By Mick - April 21 - 1:06 am

  We purchased our 2001 low mileage Ford-Certified LS this February. There are few minor problems—they are covered under warranty and will be fixed when we return the vehicle for its complementary oil change. We used CarFax to research its history—thus ensuring a safe purchase. Our LS has extremely responsive steering. Good road feel. The seating is *very* comfortable. The car is very quick—with the refinement of a Lincoln. Absent is the noise and road-roughness usually associated with quick vehicles—making it paramount to pay attention to that speedometer. We are experiencing 18-19 mpg city and 22-25 mpg highway. Overall, this car is a lot of fun to drive.

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  fun on wheels - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By deaconron - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I have just changed from a Marquis to the LS- it is fun,it is fast , it is comfortable with all the bells and whistles, and great handling.

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  cant wait to trade it in - 2005 Lincoln LS
  By lisa - April 11 - 6:56 pm

  The Lincoln LS looks very impressive. It gets a lot of attention and needs alot of attention. It has been nothing but a money pit ever since I bought it. Within one week I had two coils repaired( very expensive). From little things to more expensive stuff, its something every week. I recently stopped by an auto parts store (again) for help with the broken screws on the traction button that had broke. The men committed how the car looked nice. I replied, "want to buy it?" They laughed and said "NO WAY! Those are nothing but lemons!" Wish I had heard that before I made the mistake of buying it.

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  fun car to drive - 2004 Lincoln LS
  By mikelb - April 10 - 2:00 am

  great car to drive. nice wide comfortable seats, looks great

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  Great car - 2002 Lincoln LS
  By Paul - March 30 - 2:16 pm

  this is the best car i have ever had. its fast hot and all the girls love it.