By Royal Ford
Boston.com October 30, 2004You are Ford Motor Co., and in the midst of a comeback of mid- and full-size American sedans, you have a key hurdle to leap: How do you bring back buyers from the foreign manufacturers to which the industry had ceded this niche as they gobbled up profits from SUVs and pickup trucks?
The answer is the Ford Five Hundred, a car that looks Ford, but has a European aura and feel.
The car, in three trim levels (SE, SEL — as tested — and Limited) is aimed squarely at empty nesters who don't need their SUVs or minivans anymore, but want to hang on to their high seating position, utilitarian inside space, and even all-wheel drive, again, as tested. You eschew those looking for edgy Cadillacs or powerful Chrysler 300 Hemis and instead give the Ford Five Hundred vast interior space, a firm and quiet ride, and power it with what some might say is an understated V-6, aluminum block engine with a modest 203 horsepower.
The vehicle delivers all of this even as it remains a distinctly American ride.
Outside, it looks like a Ford, with European nuances: short front overhang, chopped rear deck that belies the cavernous trunk beneath. Inside, fit and finish are tight and superb for a car that starts in the low-20s and rises into the high-20s only with all-wheel drive and lots of other goodies added.
Transmission choices include, on the SEL, a six-speed automatic or CVT (with the AWD package only). The CVT (continuously variable transmission) uses a pulley system to give you virtually limitless numbers of gears, and though it can feel a bit remote for someone used to closer contact with their gearing, it is a nice system for anyone who wants to get in, drive, and let the car handle all else.
Rear passenger space, particularly leg room, is generous. It's the same up front.
Despite wood accents and optional leather package included on the test car, this was also a wonderfully utilitarian ride. The trunk holds eight golf bags (the car holds five occupants — go figure); rear seats fold in for access to the trunk; and the front passenger seat folds flat.
The ride, if a bit vague in steering and shifting, is quiet and smooth. Dual level front air bags are standard, while front side impact and front and rear rollover curtains are optional.
In the base Five Hundred you get, as standard, a six-way power driver's seat, ABS, traction control, and keypad entry for the driver's door. Options include AWD, power adjustable pedals with memory, leather seating, power moon roof, and an electronically aided backup system.
The AWD test vehicle started out with a base of almost $26,000 and crept toward $30,000 with the addition of leather ($895), front and rear side curtain air bags ($595), a moon roof ($895), and destination charges of more than $600.
The platform for the Five Hundred is derived from Volvo (which Ford owns) and already appears beneath the crossover Ford Freestyle. The platform will also find a home underneath the Mercury Montego, and may, in stretched form, anchor the replacement for the Lincoln Town Car.
Royal Ford can be reached at ford@globe.com.
Additional Reviews
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| Joe Wiesenfelder | Cars.com National | May 26, 2005 |
| Jim Flammang | Cars.com National | June 23, 2005 |
Affiliate Reviews
| G. Chambers Williams III | Star-Telegram.com | May 18, 2005 |
| Bob Golfen | AZCentral.com | January 15, 2005 |
| Larry Printz | The Morning Call and Mcall.com | January 2, 2005 |
| Anita And Paul Lienert | The Detroit Newspapers | November 24, 2004 |
| Anita And Paul Lienert | The Detroit Newspapers | November 24, 2004 |
| Tom Strongman | KansasCity.com | November 20, 2004 |
| Royal Ford | Boston.com | October 30, 2004 |
| Warren Brown | washingtonpost.com | October 17, 2004 |
| Jim Mateja | chicagotribune.com | September 12, 2004 |
| Anita And Paul Lienert | The Detroit News | September 1, 2004 |
| Anita And Paul Lienert | The Detroit Newspapers | September 1, 2004 |
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