
| Vehicle | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Lincoln LS | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 Acura TSX | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 Audi A3 | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 Volvo C30 | N/A | N/A |
| Average | Not Available |


| Vehicle | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Lincoln LS | N/A | N/A | |
| 2012 Acura TSX | N/A | N/A | |
| 2012 Audi A3 | N/A | N/A | |
| 2012 Volvo C30 | N/A | N/A | |
| Average | Not Available | ||
Based On: 10% down, 5% APR, 60 months


| MPG | city | hwy |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Lincoln LS | 17 | 24 |
| 2012 Acura TSX | 21 | 30 |
| 2012 Audi A3 | 24 | 33 |
| 2012 Volvo C30 | 21 | 29 |
| Average | 21 | 29 |

Plunk down $30,000 to $40,000, and you get a well-mannered sedan with a domestic nameplate, with your choice of V6 or V8 power, and plenty of room for four adults.- Edmunds.com
Comfortable but not particularly stylish inside, the LS boasts seats that suit most drivers, plus a proper assortment of logically arranged controls. Although some materials inside don't present a feeling of luxury, the LS is nevertheless comfortable. For a sedan of this size, however, the back seat is a bit tight. No complaints about the gearbox; it's responsive and we like how the manual gate is set to the side.- Road & Track
Making the Lincoln bolder through the use of optional chrome trim on the front and rear bumpers doesn't really help.- Road & Track
Materials quality is not up to the level of import competitors', but real wood, faux titanium and chrome accents add some visual interest to the LS cockpit.- Edmunds.com
The LS fits the driver like a tailored suit.- Road & Track
The LS is not only the least expensive Lincoln, it's also the most youthful, with tailored, modern styling and crisp road manners. It's the most European in temperament of the Lincolns. Like luxury sedans from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar, the Lincoln LS uses rear-wheel drive, giving it that classic driving feel. It rides smoothly, yet feels connected to the road.
The V8 engine delivers strong acceleration performance, while the standard V6 has been revised to deliver more power for 2002. The Lincoln LS compares favorably to luxury sports sedans from Europe and Japan, yet it is priced far below them.
Lincoln LS presents a classy profile with its long wheelbase and chunky rear end. Its angular lines suggest a cross between a BMW and a Mitsubishi Diamante. It is refined without being flamboyant. The LS shares little in appearance with the rest of the Lincoln family, apart from its Lincoln badge and the trademark waterfall-style grille.
Lincoln LS shares some of its chassis architecture with the more expensive Jaguar S-Type. The two cars do not share bodywork, however, so they look nothing alike.
The interior of the Lincoln LS is understated, in a more European style. The seats feel cushy in the Lincoln tradition. They are comfortable, though not as supportive as seats found in Mercedes and BMW sedans. There are no gaudy trim pieces. Instead the interior is cozy and cockpit-inspired.
A canopy shields the instruments. Sound system and climate controls lie in a large centerpiece, easily accessible by either driver or passenger. Most controls work well, though the switchgear does not feel as refined as that of a Mercedes. Also, the LED indicators are too bright in relation to the analog instrument lighting. The six-disc CD changer can be mounted in the dash or in the glovebox. Storage space in the center console is limited.
Realistic burled walnut trim brightens the doors and the area around the controls. All seats are finished in leather. The driver and front passenger seat offer power adjustments. Opt for a trim level with memory seats, and when the ignition is switched off, the driver's seat automatically moves to the back of its track, which makes getting in and out easier. The memory function also maintains seating positions for two people. The remote key fob can be used to open all windows for quick ventilation on hot days.
Rear-seat passengers are taken care of nicely. The rear seats are slightly raised for a better forward view, yet rear-seat headroom, according to Lincoln, is as good as in any car in this class. Legroom is reasonable as long as the front seats are not pushed too far back.
The rear seatback can be folded down in a 60/40 split for access to the trunk; that's unusual for a luxury car, but a great convenience for carrying longer items. The trunk offers a reasonable amount of space.
Driving the Lincoln LS is a joy. The steering is excellent, among the nicest of any car on the road. Steering effort increases smoothly with speed. The LS rides smoothly but still feels connected to the road. By luxury car standards, however, there is a fair amount of road vibration transmitted through the seat and steering wheel. The front suspension doesn't react well to sharp bumps.
Rear-wheel drive contributes to the handling of the LS. The LS offers a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution (half the weight is on the front wheels and half is over the rear wheels). Most cars have a definite weight bias toward the front end. To help it achieve this balancing act, Lincoln moved the battery to the trunk and used lightweight (and expensive) aluminum for the hood and front fenders.
The V8 engine feels smooth and sophisticated. It communicates with the transmission for smooth shifts. Punch it, and it delivers strong acceleration. The V8 is rated at 252 horsepower and 261 pounds-feet of torque. The throttle is sensitive to tip-in, making it easy to lurch off the line when taking off at intersections.
The V6 now develops 220 horsepower and 215 pounds-feet of torque, up 10 horsepower and 10 pounds-feet from last year.
The automatic transmission shifts smoothly, but is a bit slow to shift at times. Sport models come with a feature that allows the driver to choose either fully automatic or manual shifting, called SelectShift. In the manual mode, the driver changes gears by pushing the gearshift lever forward to shift up or by pulling it back to shift down. A computer overrides any human slip-ups that might damage the driveline.
The available manual gearbox is a German Getrag five-speed manual gearbox. It's smooth and precise. Shifting is satisfying and it helps the V6 deliver straight-line acceleration that is nearly as quick as that of the V8 with the automatic. This makes the LS V6 fun to drive on windy mountain roads.
The brakes are excellent, easy to modulate for light or heavy braking.
Lincoln LS delivers good performance and handling. It offers a strong value when compared with fine luxury sedans from Europe and Japan.
Mitch McCullough contributed to this report.
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