2001 Lincoln LS Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

LS shares a platform with Jaguar's S-Type, but differs from the British car in styling and equipment. Both use a Jaguar-designed V8 or a Ford-based V6. The V6 LS uses a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic; the V8 is automatic only. Front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, and traction control are standard. An antiskid system is optional. The firmer-suspension Sport Package replaces 16-inch wheels with 17s and high-performance tires. All manual-transmission LSs have the Sport Package; automatic models with that option get a separate shift gate for manual gear changes. Discontinued is Lincoln's RESCU cell phone/satellite assistance system.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.

News

An extra-long model year enabled Lincoln's midrange sedans to post very respectable freshman sales of near 76,700, over 51,000 of which came in calendar 2000. Perhaps not surprisingly, V8s outsell V6 models by a wide margin of some 4 to 1.

Sources say LS is being spruced up for 2002 with minor styling refinements, plus a likely interior revamp aimed at providing more storage space to answer criticisms from customer and folks like us. Interior materials and general fit-and-finish should also get attention. Though the LS platform (shared with cousin Jaguar's S-Type) is the planned basis for a whole slew of future Ford Motor Company cars, industry insiders say the LS itself won't be redesigned until model-year 2005.

2001 Lincoln LS Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V8)	Automatic transmission performance

Ride/handling	Climate controls

Seat comfort

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.1

Strong with V8, our test car running 0-60 mph in 7.3 sec. Lincoln says V6/automatic needs 9.3 sec--not great, but adequate except when real passing punch is required. V6/manual is livelier, but has balky shift action. With either engine, automatic transmission is slow to downshift for more passing power.

Fuel Economy

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
5	4	4.7

Test V8 LS averaged 16.3 mpg, manual V6 19.6. Lincoln recommends premium fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
5	7	6.4

With base suspension, smooth, controlled--equal to some costlier import-brand sedans. You'll feel more bumps with the Sport Package, so try before you buy. LS has impressive highway stability, even in gusty crosswinds.

Steering/Handling/Braking

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
7	6	6.3

Low-speed steering feel could be firmer, but LS turns in crisply and corners with grippy precision, modest body lean. Sport Package enhances body control. Braking is swift and sure despite indecisive pedal action.

Quietness

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
6	7	6.7

Wind noise is muted, but tire noise intrudes on some coarse pavement, mostly drowns out wind rush on any surface. Engine loud only under hard acceleration.

Controls

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
6	6	6.1

Gauges are clear, but all-button climate system is difficult to use. Large door mirrors offset visibility lost to thick rear roof pillars. Two of our test LSs had loose driver's-door mirrors and creaking front windows. Interior design is unimaginative and materials look and feel cheaper than those in most near-luxury cars.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
6	7	7

Seats firm and comfortable. Plenty of leg room but optional sunroof cuts into headroom. Some of our testers have difficulty setting up an acceptable driving position in manual-transmission models.

Room/Comfort (rear)

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
6	6	5.1

Less cramped than the S-Type, but two adults is the practical limit. Head clearance is only OK, but there's good leg space even behind tall front occupants.

Cargo Room

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
3	3	4

Interior storage is meager. Models with Sport Package have but one front cupholder. Trunk volume looks good on paper, but only small suitcases can stand upright, fore/aft length is limited, and bulky lid hinges can crunch luggage.

Value within Class

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
3	4	4.7

Ordinary interior furnishings are its most obvious flaw, but the LS includes lots of features for the money, has capable road manners, and is among the few near-luxury cars available with a V8 engine.

Total Score

V6, man.	V8, auto.	Class Average
53	56	57.1

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		57
High Score		70

2001 Lincoln LS Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 07/14/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS V6 4-door sedan, automatic	$32,290	$29,946	$610

LS V6 4-door sedan, manual	$33,745	$31,256	$610

LS V8 4-door sedan, automatic	$36,320	$33,573	$610

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

LS V6 automatic

Powertrain

3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate control, interior air filter, variable-assist power steering, power tilt/telescoping wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, 8-way power driver seat, 6-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, steering-wheel radio controls, tachometer, map lights, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, variable intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, remote fuel door/decklid release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 215/60HR16 tires, polished alloy wheels.

LS V6 manual adds to LS automatic:

Powertrain

5-speed manual transmission.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Sport Pkg. (leather-wrapped steering wheel, Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, color-keyed bumpers, engine oil cooler, upgraded steering and brakes, sport suspension, full-size spare tire, 235/50VR17 Super Silver Alloy Wheels).

LS V8 adds to LS V6 automatic:

Powertrain

3.9-liter dohc V8 engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Memory driver seat, memory steering wheel and mirrors, front power lumbar supports, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, rain-sensing wipers, trip computer, compass.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

215/60VR16 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Convenience Pkg.
LS V6	$960	$835
Memory driver seat, memory steering wheel and mirrors, front power lumbar supports, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, rain-sensing wipers.

Sport Pkg.
automatics	$1,990	$1,732
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, color-keyed bumpers, engine oil cooler, upgraded steering and brakes, sport suspension, 235/50VR17 Super Silver Alloy Wheels.

Premium Pkg.
LS V6 automatic	$3,295	$2,867
LS V8	$3,695	$3,215
Power sunroof, upgraded leather upholstery, Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, cargo nets, unique floormats and cargo mat, upgraded steering and brakes, sport suspension, 235/50VR17 tires, chrome alloy wheels. LS V6 automatic requires Convenience Pkg.

Safety
Antiskid system
LS V6 automatic, LS V6 manual, LS V8	$735	$640


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
LS V6 automatic, LS V6 manual, LS V8	$1,005	$874


Heated front seats
LS V6 automatic, LS V6 manual, LS V8	$400	$348


Alpine Audiophile Radio System
LS V6 auto., LS V8	$575	$501


Alpine AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
automatics	$605	$526


6-disc CD changer
automatics	$605	$526


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
LS V6 automatic, LS V6 manual, LS V8	$375	$327


Chrome alloy wheels
LS V6 manual	$845	$735

2001 Lincoln LS Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Lincoln LS 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	114.5

Overall Length, in.	193.9

Overall Width, in.	73.2

Overall Height, in.	56.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	3593

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.8

Rear Head Room, in.	37.5

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	37.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V6	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.0 /181	3.9 /235

Horsepower @ rpm.	210 @ 6500	252 @ 6100

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	205 @ 4750	267 @ 4300

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	18/25	--/--

5-speed automatic	18/25	17/24

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Lincoln LS 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	3/36,000	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2001 Lincoln LS Photos

Also in the 2001 Lincoln LS Review:

Lincoln LS

Lincoln LS Road Test

Lincoln LS Prices & Equipment

Lincoln LS Specs & Safety

Lincoln LS Photos

Lincoln LS Full Review

All Lincoln LSs

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