We sure don t see an American theme outside. The only recognizable Lincoln bits are the grille, which is way toned down, and the chrome license plate and reverse-light housing, which is itself cribbed from Jaguar. Lincoln really missed an opportunity to establish a new look for itself. Nor is the interior home to the traditional, overstuffed American idea of luxury. Instead it s more Teutonic, with firm seats, hard surfaces, subdued wood, and an absence of brightwork.
Some elements work better than others.
With cushions that are fairly flat, rather than overcontoured in the usual Ford manner, the LS s seats are genuinely comfortable, and their firm support makes the comfort last for hours. The back seat, too, is well up off the floor and gamely keeps its shape under big, American thighs. The businesslike instrument panel has large, legible gauges but too many small, similar buttons. But the transmission tunnel, the dashboard, and the chunky door armrests crowd in at inopportune points, somewhat eroding the perception of roominess that 100-plus cubic feet should provide. Of course value would be another logical component of American luxury, here in the birthplace of Wal-Mart.