2005 Lincoln Town Car Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Revised trim levels mark 2005 for the lone American-brand rear-wheel-drive premium large sedan. Lincoln Town Car ascends through three trim levels: Signature, Signature Limited, and the limousinelike Signature L, which adds 6 inches to the wheelbase to create more rear leg room. Ultimate and Ultimate L models are gone. All have a 4.6-liter V8 and a 4-speed automatic transmission. ABS, traction control, and front side airbags are standard, but no antiskid system is offered. Rear airbags or curtain side airbags are unavailable. Other standard features include power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate control, front bench seat, and leather upholstery. Xenon headlamps and a navigation system are optional.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Large Cars are top-of-the-line sedans in size and luxury. Many are manufacturer flagships and/or showcases for the newest automotive technology. Some have 6-figure price tags.

Our Best Buys include the Audi A8 and Lexus LS 430. Our Recommended picks include the Buick Park Avenue, Cadillac DeVille, and Volkswagen Phaeton.

News

A new flagship Lincoln sedan is on the drawing boards as an early-2009 model. It's said to use a stretched version of the corporate "D3" platform originated by Ford-owned Volvo. A shorter D3 variant reportedly serves a replacement for Lincoln's midsize LS sedan, tentatively set for 2008. Because D3 is basically a front-drive platform that can accommodate all-wheel drive, neither new model will be a traditional rear-driver. That's led to speculation that the elderly Town Car could be kept around into 2009 and maybe beyond. For now, though, sources say Ford is still only thinking about that.

Meantime, the old Town Car will again be freshened for 2006. Look for a moderate restyle, a standard 6-speed automatic transmission and possibly a revised V8 engine with three valves per cylinder instead of two. The related Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis get their own updates for '06.

2005 Lincoln Town Car Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Quietness	Rear visibility

Ride

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Signature L	Class Average
4	6.7

Lincoln Town Car trails Cadillac DTS for overall acceleration, though it's quick enough: Test car did 9.5 sec 0-60 mph. Transmission hesitates to kick down for passing, but is otherwise responsive and smooth, though most rivals have 5-speed automatics.

Fuel Economy

Signature L	Class Average
4	4.1

Test car averaged 16.0 mpg, hurt slightly by gas-eating performance tests. Lincoln recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Signature L	Class Average
8	8.2

American-luxury traditional. Absorbent and hushed, with fine body control over humps. Patter nicely checked on washboard surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Signature L	Class Average
4	6.8

Leans more in turns than import-brand rivals. Steering slightly overboosted, but precise and provides good road feel. Standard traction control a must for snowy climates, though this system tends to kill power at just the wrong moment for maintaining speed on slippery surfaces. Braking short and stable for a heavyweight, with fair but not-alarming nosedive in sudden stops.

Quietness

Signature L	Class Average
8	8.5

Engine muted even at full throttle, and tire thrum noticed only on very coarse pavement. Wind rush rises above 60 mph, but doesn't intrude.

Controls

Signature L	Class Average
7	6.2

Tradition-bound, with no-surprises layout. Power-adjustable pedals help shorter drivers. Over-the-shoulder visibility hampered by thick roof pillars. Switchgear too generic, but interior materials approach those of some costlier import-brand rivals. No opportunity yet to test Town Car with navigation system.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Signature L	Class Average
7	8.7

Three can squeeze in on standard bench seat, but middle rider will straddle transmission hump. Abundant head room and outboard leg room.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Signature L	Class Average
9	8.3

Signature L's bountiful 47 inches of rear leg room tops in class among regular factory models. Other Town Cars have good leg room. All have generous head clearance. But three adults is a squeeze here too, and the rear bench isn't as sofa-comfortable as it looks.

Cargo Room

Signature L	Class Average
6	5

Most trunk space concentrated in a deep center well, so shifting heavy objects is a strain. Spare tire mounted vertically inside right rear fender. Useful removable bin, with lid and partitions, available for Limited and L models.

Value within Class

Signature L	Class Average
4	5.7

Town Car shines for traditional American-style luxury, space, and isolation. Though not nimble, it also has a welcome measure of dynamic confidence and ride control. Cadillac's DTS has an edge with its more-modern engineering, but the Town Car is a thoughtful take on a time-honored formula.

Total Score

Signature L	Class Average
61	68.2

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		58
Average Score		68
High Score		79

2005 Lincoln Town Car Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/06/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Signature 4-door sedan	$42,055	$38,644	$820

Signature Limited 4-door sedan	$44,920	$41,223	$820

Signature L 4-door sedan	$50,525	$46,268	$820

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

Signature

Powertrain

4.6-liter V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, rear-obstacle-detection system, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, dual 8-way power front split bench seat w/power recliners and lumbar support, power-adjustable pedals, cupholders, heated power mirrors w/driver-side automatic day/night, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, rear defogger, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, analog clock, universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, power decklid pull-down, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, automatic headlights, automatic parking-brake release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, 225/60R17 tires, alloy wheels.

Signature Limited adds to Siganture:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Memory system (driver seat, mirrors, pedals), heated front seats, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded sound system, power decklid open and pull-down.

Signature L adds to Signature Limited:

Comfort and Convenience Features

6-inch-longer wheelbase, 6-disc CD changer, rear radio and climate controls, rear controls for front-passenger seat, heated rear seats.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Limited Edition
Signature Limited	$1,595	$1,388
2-tone leather upholstery, special floormats, chrome alloy wheels.

Pro Series Pkg.
Signature Limited	$1,695	$1,475
Unique interior and exterior trim, chrome alloy wheels.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
Signature Limited	$3,600	$3,132
Signature L	$2,995	$2,606
Includes in-dash 6-disc CD changer, THX sound system, voice recognition. Deletes std. Signature L trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer.

Power sunroof
Signature Limited	$1,595	$1,388


In-dash 6-disc CD changer
Signature Limited	$605	$526


Trunk organizer
Signature Limited, Signature L	$195	$170


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Xenon headlights
Signature Limited, Signature L	$495	$431


2-tone paint
Signature, Signature Limited	$295	$257


Special Paint
Signature, Signature L, Signature Limited	$595	$518


Chrome alloy wheels
Signature Limited, Signature L	$895	$779


225/60R17 whitewall tires
Signature, Signature L, Signature Limited	$125	$109

2005 Lincoln Town Car Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Lincoln Town Car 4-door sedan	Lincoln Town Car (L) 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	117.7	123.7

Overall Length, in.	216.2	221.4

Overall Width, in.	78.2	78.2

Overall Height, in.	59.0	59.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	4345	4518

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	21.0	21.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.0	19.0

Seating Capacity	6	6

Front Head Room, in.	39.4	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6	41.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.4	37.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	41.1	47.0

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

Engines

	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.6 /281

Horsepower @ rpm.	239 @ 4900

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	287 @ 4100

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/25

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 Town Car 4-door sedan	Lincoln Town Car (L) 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5	NA

Front Impact, Passenger	5	NA

Rollover Resistance	5	NA

Side Impact, Driver	5	NA

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5	NA

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	1/12,000	--

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

< 2005 Lincoln Town Car Photos

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Lincoln Town Car Road Test

Lincoln Town Car Prices & Equipment

Lincoln Town Car Specs & Safety

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