Learn more about the Lincoln Town Car
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Lincoln has been making a major comeback in sales, market share and image thanks to such excellent new products as the MKZ "entry luxury" sedan, the Lincoln MKX "crossover" SUV and the soon-to-arrive, larger MKS sedan. But fans of traditional American luxury cars no doubt rejoice that Lincoln's iconic full-size, full-frame Town Car still graces Lincoln-Mercury showrooms.

The rear-wheel-drive Town Car has evolved through the years from clumsy, blocky and brick-shaped to a sleekly rounded and refined large luxury sedan that remains a favorite of fleets and limousine builders as well as private buyers who still appreciate its virtues. Yes, it is big, heavy and not especially fuel efficient (though not all that bad) at 15 mpg city, 23 highway in EPA's tougher-for-2008 testing. But its living-room comfort and quiet, smooth, pillow-soft ride is difficult to duplicate in a lighter-weight unibody car.

Among its attractions are outstanding roominess for six adults-best-in-class* front head room, front and rear shoulder room, hip room and trunk capacity-and a lengthy list of standard features. Town Car is also the first car in history to receive the U.S. government's highest 5-Star rating in all five categories for six straight years, from 2003 through 2008.

Models and Design

The Town Car has been around in its current configuration for 18 years, but it benefited from a thorough suspension, interior and exterior redesign for 1998 and another for 2003. While the long-wheelbase L models added for 2000 were intended primarily for fleet and livery customers, a fair amount of private owners have also opted for its extra-commodious rear seat. Its formal exterior begins with a chrome Lincoln signature grille under a stand-up Lincoln star hood ornament and is flanked by quad-beam halogen headlamps. Its sides are rounded and smooth, with chrome door handles and a slim protective rubber rub strip encircling the body at bumper level. Its rear fascia, taillamps and chrome license plate surround are clean and uncluttered. Its spacious cabin is lined with rich American burl walnut set off by satin-nickel accents. Signature models roll on handsome 17-inch 10-Spoke machined aluminum wheels.

Signature L and fleet-only Executive L extended-wheelbase versions are available, the latter for limousine and livery buyers. In addition to a six-inch wheelbase extension (to 123.7 vs. the standard 117.7 inches), both offer such rear-seat amenities as a folding armrest with tissue and storage bins, four-way rear head restraints, dual power points, headliner vanity packs with illuminated mirrors and remote push-button controls for the audio and climate systems and even the front-passenger seat. The Signature L model also has a heavy-duty front stabilizer bar and heated rear seats.

Powertrain and Chassis

The Town Car's robust body-on-frame construction is favored by most commercial and many retail customers for its durability and comfortable ride. It comes with standard variable-speed power steering, traction control and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The standard 239-hp 4.6-liter V-8 drives its rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its substantial size, the Town Car is pleasantly effortless to drive and amazingly quiet on the road. The steering is light with little feedback, yet surprisingly precise. Performance is more than adequate, the soft but capable suspension does a commendable job of hanging on through turns and absorbing road irregularities without being overly floaty, and the big disc brakes bring its bulk to stable stops without drama or noticeable fade, at least in normal driving. The otherwise comfortable and soft leather-trimmed front seats offer little lateral support, but no one is likely to try especially aggressive cornering in this car.

Major Features

Among the Town Car's long list of standard features are remote keyless entry and a (Ford exclusive) programmable keyless entry pad; dual-zone automatic climate control; power heated outside mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver's-side; power decklid with key fob open and close; Soundmark Audiophile sound system with six-disc in-dash CD changer; premium leather-trimmed seating; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with wood inserts and audio, cruise and climate controls; power adjustable pedals; eight-way power heated front seats with power lumbar support; memory driver's seat, pedals and mirrors; passive anti-theft ignition key system; SmartLock anti-lockout system; and a universal garage door opener. Newly standard and highly important for 2008 is a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

To help protect occupants in case of a crash, every Town Car boasts Ford's Personal Safety System, which Ford says incorporates one of the most comprehensive driver and front-seat passenger restraint systems available. It includes driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags and safety belts with pretensioners and energy management retractors.

Town Car options include 18-spoke chrome wheels, high-intensity-discharge headlamps, white sidewall tires (where else can you still get those?) and a handy organizer for its humungous trunk. And, as with all Lincoln vehicles, Town Car comes with complimentary maintenance for 12 months/12,000 miles. If traditional American luxury is your proverbial cup of tea, there is no other choice.

* Traditional, full-size luxury car class.