2006 Lincoln Town Car Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Town Car remains the only American-brand premium large sedan with rear-wheel drive. For 2006 it offers Signature, Signature Limited, and new Designer Series models, plus a limousinelike Signature L with a 6-inch-longer wheelbase for more rear leg room. All use a 4.6-liter V8 and 4-speed automatic transmission. ABS, traction control, and front side airbags are standard, but no antiskid system is available. Neither are rear airbags nor curtain side airbags. Standard features include power-adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate control, front bench seat, and leather upholstery. Among the few options are xenon headlamps and a navigation system. The Designer model is basically a retrimmed Limited.

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 Audi A8 and Lexus LS 430. Our Recommended pick is Cadillac DTS.

Buick Lucerne is new or significantly redesigned.

News

It now appears the elderly Town Car will hang through model-year 2009 and possibly longer. That's because a planned replacement, codenamed E386, has reportedly been shelved as a result of Ford Motor Company's current cash crunch. A somewhat smaller version, called D385 and using the same Volvo-originated D3 platform, is expected to go on sale in 2008, likely as an early' 09 model. It replaces the discontinued rear-drive LS and should be much like the recent MKS (say "Mark S") concept. Significantly, the D3 platform is engineered for front-drive and all-wheel drive, hence speculation that Town Car will be kept on to satisfy rear-wheel-drive traditionalists.

2006 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	6.9

Trails Cadillac DTS for overall performance, but is quick enough. Test L did 9.5 sec 0-60 mph. Other models lighter, perhaps a bit faster. Transmission hesitates to kick down for passing, but is otherwise responsive and smooth. Still, most rivals have 5-speed automatics.

Fuel Economy

Signature L	Class Average
4	4.2

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	8.5

American-luxury traditional. Plush, absorbent feel, yet decent body control over humps. Patter nicely checked on washboard surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Signature L	Class Average
4	6.9

Leans more in turns than import-brand rivals. Steering slightly overboosted, but has good accuracy and road feel. Standard traction control a plus for snowy climates, but this system tends to kill power at just the wrong moment for maintaining speed on slippery surfaces. Braking short and stable for a heavyweight, though sudden stops induce moderate nosedive.

Quietness

Signature L	Class Average
8	8.5

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

Controls

Signature L	Class Average
7	5.9

Dashboard straightforward. Decor a bit stuffy, though materials approach those of some costlier import-brand rivals. Power-adjustable pedals help shorter drivers. Over-the-shoulder visibility hampered by thick roof pillars. No opportunity yet to test with navigation system.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Signature L	Class Average
7	9

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

Room/Comfort (rear)

Signature L	Class Average
9	8.1

Plenty of head and leg room, and Signature L's 45.4 inches of leg stretch is tops in class among regular factory models. 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 stows vertically inside right rear fender. Useful removable cargo bin, with lid and partitions, available for all but base Signature.

Value within Class

Signature L	Class Average
4	5.4

Town Car blends old-school American luxury, space, and isolation with surprisingly good road manners, all things considered. Cadillac's rival DTS is a far newer design with better performance and handling, but this elderly Lincoln still makes sense for some buyers.

Total Score

Signature L	Class Average
61	68.4

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		59
Average Score		68
High Score		79

2006 Lincoln Town Car Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/27/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Signature 4-door sedan	$42,055	$38,719	$820

Signature Limited 4-door sedan	$44,920	$41,298	$820

Designer Series 4-door sedan	$46,435	$42,662	$820

Signature L 4-door sedan	$50,525	$46,343	$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/lumbar adjustment, power-adjustable pedals, cupholders, heated power mirrors w/driver-side automatic day/night, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, AM/FM/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, rear defogger, 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, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power decklid open and pull-down.

Designer Series adds to Signature Limited:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Unique interior and exterior trim.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Chrome alloy wheels.

Signature L adds to Signature Limited:

Comfort and Convenience Features

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

Optional Equipment

Comfort and Convenience Features	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Navigation system
Signature Limited, Designer	$3,600	$3,096
Signature L	$2,995	$2,576
Includes in-dash 6-disc CD changer, THX sound system, voice recognition.

Power sunroof
Signature Limited, Designer	$1,595	$1,372


AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Signature	$195	$168


In-dash 6-disc CD changer
Signature Limited, Designer	$605	$520
Signature L	$0	$0


Trunk organizer
Signature Limited, Designer, Signature L	$195	$168


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Xenon headlights
Signature Limited, Signature L, Designer	$495	$426


2-tone paint
Signature, Signature Limited	$295	$254


Special Paint
Designer Series, Signature, Signature L, Signature Limited	$695	$598


Chrome alloy wheels
Signature Limited, Signature L	$895	$770


225/60R17 whitewall tires
Signature, Signature L, Signature Limited	$125	$108

2006 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.	215.4	221.4

Overall Width, in.	78.5	78.5

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.	41.7	41.7

Rear Head Room, in.	37.4	37.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.6	45.4

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	17/25

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	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5	5

Rollover Resistance	5	5

Side Impact, Driver	5	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5	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	3/36,000	--

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

< 2006 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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