2005 Lincoln LS New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Lincoln LS?
Such niceties as power adjustable pedals, side curtain airbags and rear park assist are now available as stand-alone options for the 2005 Lincoln LS, which means that the Safety and Security package is gone. The optional LSE Appearance Package can be ordered without the heated/cooled seats this year, and new colors debut for the interior and exterior. The front fascia receives a minor appearance tweak, and the transmission has been modified for improved shift quality.

Advantages of the 2005 Lincoln LS:

• Powerful V8 engine
• Excellent handling and steering
• Rich leather and wood inside the cabin
• Uniquely "American" flavor

Objections to the 2005 Lincoln LS:

• Small trunk
• Navigation system bundles controls into a single unit
• Cheap interior plastics
• Confused transmission

Editor's Advice:
Often a study of contrasts and compromises, the 2005 Lincoln LS is nonetheless appealing to those with a soft spot in their hearts for American iron. The Lincoln LS blends European handling and ride quality with styling and design from the good old U.S. of A. Two engines are available on the 2005 Lincoln LS; a 232-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a 280-horsepower 3.9-liter V8. The V8 engine is a gem; the transmission it's hooked up to a mess of missed or harsh shifts. The seats are broad and flat, sized for large Americans. The trunk is shallow and small, barely able to hold golf bags lying on their sides. The leather, wood and metallic cabin trim is rich and worthy of a Lexus; the plastics cheap, exhibiting casting flash and mismatches in terms of color and texture. This lack of consistency in everything from the powertrain to interior tailoring is why Lincoln must place incentives on the LS to sell them, while the local BMW dealer blows out every 3-Series he can get from the factory. Nevertheless, we're sorry to report that this could be the last year for the Lincoln LS platform. Lincoln will get a new sport sedan called the Zephyr, based on Mazda 6 underpinnings, for 2006.