2004 LINCOLN LS NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Lincoln LS?
Lincoln revises LS trim levels for 2004, now calling them V6 Luxury, V6 Premium, V8 Sport and V8 Ultimate. Because of this shuffle, standard and optional equipment availability has changed. Key standard and optional features of the 2004 Lincoln LS include heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, HID headlights, real wood or aluminum interior accents, power adjustable pedals, stability control, side curtain airbags, emergency braking assistance, rear park assist, navigation system and THX Certified sound. Two new colors also debut for 2004.

Advantages of the 2004 Lincoln LS:

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

Objections to the 2004 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 2004 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 2004 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.