Against 335 other V8 cars rated 2004–2006, the LS beats their 15.6 mpg average by 2.4 mpg, about $329 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2000, the 3L 6-cyl (2000–2005), does 19.7 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3.9L 8-cyl (2000–2006), 17.6: $233 a year apart.
Every Lincoln LS engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 16.8 / 23.8 | 2000–2005 | $1,949 | |
| 3.9L 8-cyl | 15.4 / 22.3 | 2000–2006 | $2,182 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Prius gets 46 mpg, the Hyundai Elantra 26.7 mpg and the Nissan Altima 24.6 mpg, next to 18 mpg for the 2006 LS. The LS costs the most of them to run: $1,298 a year more than the Toyota Prius.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2006) | $0.178 |
| Fuel per year | $2,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,665 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2004–2006 | −$329 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,185 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2006 Lincoln LS gives up 7 mpg in town: 23 on the highway against 16 in the city, $730 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2006) | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23 mpg | $1,670 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the LS changed over the years
The LS peaked in 2004 at 19.5 mpg (16.5 city, 24 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2000 at 17.5 — 2 mpg apart, or $225 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2006 car does 18.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2005 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 16.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2003 | 17 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2002 | 15.5 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2001 | 15.5 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 15.5 / 22.5 | 2 | $2,194 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
This page rests on 13 EPA ratings of the Lincoln LS — 2 engines across 2000–2006. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,185. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2006 Lincoln LS get?
18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2000 the LS has averaged 18.5 mpg.
Is the 2006 LS more efficient than the 2005?
No: 18 against 19 mpg combined, about $112 a year more to run.
Which LS year has the best gas mileage?
The 2004, at 19.5 mpg combined (16.5 city, 24 highway).
Does the LS get better gas mileage than the Toyota Prius?
No: 18 mpg for the 2006 LS against 46 for the 2007 Toyota Prius, about $1,298 a year more to run.
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