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2005 Ford Five Hundred Mid-Size Sedan
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What might have been...Ford Five Hundred good, not great
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Ford's original concept is brilliant: to combine the best attributes of a crossover SUV -- interior space, cargo room, all-wheel drive, and a tall driving position -- with the styling of a classic American sedan. From a practical standpoint, that makes the Five Hundred one of the best sedans around.
Back-seat passengers will fall in love with this car. It has big, wide doors that swing open to reveal more rear legroom than a Rolls-Royce Phantom. No joke.
If you like going on long road trips or have a reason to haul eight golf bags (like, say, you're a caddy for octuplets), you'll love this car's huge trunk. It's probably the biggest trunk on the road.
Finally, if you like the all-wheel drive and high seating position of an SUV, this is your car. It's like a Ford Escape without the militarized styling, with seats four inches higher than in an average mid-size sedan.
These SUV pretensions extend to safety, including standard anti-lock brakes, standard (on AWD models) stability control, optional side canopy and side airbags, and energy-absorbing construction designed to crumple in crashes. Ford used Volvo's expertise in developing many of these safety systems.
Best of all, with a base price of just over $22,000, the Five Hundred offers a lot more car than the Taurus for only slightly more money. It's a steal, considering its big size and standard equipment.
Overall, it's clear that the Five Hundred isn't as good as it could have been. A V8 engine and better styling would have made it a knockout on par with the Mustang and exotic GT.
Pros: It's an awful lot of car for a low price. It has the best attributes of a crossover SUV -- roominess, cargo space and a high seating position -- with the look of a traditional sedan.
Cons: It's terribly bland. If you're wanting something with the spice of Ford's original Five Hundred design concept, you'll be disappointed.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 4
- Performance: 5
- Price: 9
- Handling: 5
- Ride: 7
- Comfort: 7
- Quality: 8
- Overall: 6
More Data
Where Built: USA
Major Options: Safety and Security package with front and side curtain airbags and rear-obstacle-detection system. Power sunroof, leather upholstery, power adjustable pedals, garage door opener.
Seating: 5.
Number of Rows: 2.
Length in Inches: 200.7
Warrantees: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper, 5 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 3 years/36,000 miles Free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,664 lbs. â€' 3,815 lbs.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: 1000 lbs.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 19.0
Destination Charge: $675
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