Introduction

The Lincoln LS may be a Lincoln, but if you think it's a rolling sofa, then you're way off the mark. This is Lincoln's most youthful car and it's no cushy-mobile. In styling, style and performance, the LS is fashioned in the image of a European sports sedan. The LS is aimed squarely at the import competition, and in a broad sense it covers the mark. One indication of that is that it uses rear-wheel drive, the first mark of a sports sedan, like those from Mercedes and BMW. Last year, the Lincoln LS benefited from major revisions, involving more than 500 new or redesigned parts. As a result, the LS feels more refined and more comfortable. Its V8 and V6 engines are more powerful and more sophisticated, benefiting from the addition of variable valve timing. The interior was improved substantially and now features an attractive platinum-colored center panel that has a look and feel of quality. Comfort and convenience were enhanced with power-adjustable pedals, increased center console space and an electronic parking brake. The biggest benefit was in the area of suspension tuning and a reinforced chassis, which improved handling and ride quality. The LS feels firmer, sportier, more European than before. The 2004 Lincoln LS is further improved. The five-speed automatic transmission has been upgraded for smoother shifting and engagement. Additional chassis improvements reduce noise, vibration and harshness in the cabin. And satellite radio is now available. Even the least expensive LS comes very well equipped. In the midsize sport-luxury market, few sedans can compete with the LS on the benefit-per-dollar scale.

Walkaround

With its long wheelbase, short overhangs and chunky rear end, the Lincoln LS presents a classy profile. Its angular lines share little with the rest of the Lincoln family, apart from the badges and waterfall grille. The LS underwent some significant exterior styling changes for 2003. The grille, front fascia, exterior mirrors, rear deck lid, tail lamps, license plate trim and wheels were all redesigned, resulting in a cleaner overall look. The difference is most obvious from the rear, where smooth lamps replaced rippled taillight lenses. Little has changed for 2004, though there are two new colors: Cashmere TriCoat (essentially white) and Light French Silk metallic (light gold). Our favorite LS is the V8 LSE. Its bright wheels and color-keyed grille, rocker panels and license-plate surround suit our idea of a sporting luxury sedan nicely. It looks clean, aggressive, classy.

Interior Features

The Lincoln LS interior is understated, in the European fashion. The feeling is cozy, almost cockpit-style, and there are no gaudy trim pieces. The leather seats, nonetheless, feel cushy in the Lincoln tradition. They're comfortable, but not as supportive as the seats found in a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. The driver and front passenger seats offer power adjustments with three-way memory for the driver on most models. The power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and exterior mirrors are tied to the memory buttons, and when the ignition is switched off the driver's seat automatically moves back, which makes getting in and out easier. The interior trim is high quality and everything fits together nice and tight. Lincoln offers two new interior color combinations for 2004: Dark Stone/Medium Light Stone and Shale/Dove. A canopy shields the instruments. On Premium and Ultimate models, real burled walnut trim brightens the doors and the area around the controls, giving the cabin a warm, rich ambience. The platinum-colored center panel is a high-quality piece. Stereo and climate controls are clustered in a large center stack that's easily accessible for either driver or passenger. The climate system is easy to operate. The seats feature seat heaters for those cold winter mornings and fans for hot, sultry summer afternoons. We liked the seat fans; you can hear them. All controls have a satisfying feel, thanks largely to upgrades made last year. The headlamp switch, for example, can be turned to the right to turn on parking lights or headlights, or it can be turned to the left to the Auto setting, which automatically turns the lights on or off, depending on available light. This is much nicer than having to switch through all the other settings like you do with GM products. The LS features a power electronic parking brake, similar to that of the BMW 7 Series. Both front power windows feature Auto-up/down. The ignition switch is on the dash, which is nicer and easier to use than having it on the steering column. The center console is deep and offers good storage room. Two power points are provided along with a great pair of rubber-lined cup holders. The sliding center armrest moves back and forth, adjusting for the position of the driver's seat. The remote key fob will open all windows for quick ventilation on hot days. The driver can easily program functions; for example, the auto-locking feature can be turned off. The navigation system worked well, better than many others, and we found it easier to use than the Mercedes system. Adjusting the volume on the navigation system can be challenging while driving, however, annoying when you want the voice commands to shut up. The audio system uses the system's touch screen display; it has a feature allowing the driver to adjust the sound for optimum balance according to the number and seating position of your passengers. Sirius Satellite Radio is now available for the LS. You can listen to the FoxNews and CNN 24-hour news stations, dedicated sports channels, or CD-quality music without having to search for new stations as you drive across the country. Rear-seat passengers are taken care of nicely. The rear seats are firm and dished, yet raised slightly for a better forward view. Rear-seat headroom is among the best in class. Legroom is adequate for most adults, as long as the front seats aren't pushed too far back, but hip room is a little lacking. Cargo space can be expanded by a feature rare in the luxury class: A 60/40 split folding seat, which is very convenient for carrying long items. With 13.5 cubic feet of space, the trunk offers reasonable cargo volume, though not as much as most cars in this class.