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2005 Ford Five Hundred Mid-Size Sedan
What might have been...Ford Five Hundred good, not great
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New Car Review Of The 2005 Ford Five Hundred Mid-Size Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $22,165-$28,090
Base Invoice Range: $20,399-$25,731
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MSRP As Tested: $24,145
Versions: SE, SEL, Limited
Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sedan
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive .
Standard Engine: 3.2-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 203 â€' horsepower at 5750 rpm and 207 lb-ft torque at 4500 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, CVT automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Six-speed 21/29, CVT 20/27.
Standard Safety Features: Driver and passenger airbags, Four-wheel anti-lock brake system.
Competition: Buick La Cross, Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, Nissan Maxima, Volkswagen Passat.
I had high expectations when I stepped inside the Ford Five Hundred, especially after seeing the hot GT and the sexy new Mustang. They prove Ford still knows how to make cars sizzle.
This big sedan, though, left me feeling lukewarm after a week behind the wheel. It's not a bad car -- certainly an improvement over the stale Taurus -- but it lacks the pizzazz Chrysler has created with its 300C masterpiece.
Sadly, it could have been so much better.
Start with the styling. While the original Five Hundred concept was edgy, angular, muscular and all-American, by the time it arrived at Ford dealerships in fall of 2004 it had been watered down to look far too similar to the bulbous Taurus. It looks OK -- maybe even slightly better than average for a family sedan -- but it lacks the real head-turning appeal of the concept.
Second, there's the way it drives. It's competent, sure enough, with a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but Ford seems to have sapped every last bit of fun from this car. The connection between driver and road feels rubbery, slightly sloppy and vague.
The engine doesn't help matters, either. Ford only offers a 3.0-liter V6 called the Duratec 30, which gets good gas mileage but provides merely adequate acceleration for the hefty car. It never feels unsafe, but it lacks the reassuring oomph that big sedans ought to have. A strong V8 would go a long way toward solving the Five Hundred's lame driving feel.
But enough about the downsides. If you want a good, solid, middle-of-the-road car at a great price, the Five Hundred could be perfect for you.
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