Mercury’s Grand Marquis, Ford’s Crown Victoria and Lincoln’s Town Car are the only six-passenger rear-wheel-drive sedans sold in the U.S. with V-8 engines and traditional body-on-frame construction. The 4.6-liter V-8 can produce either 224 or 239 horsepower. Little changed for 2007 beyond the addition of new exterior colors and a Palm Beach luxury equipment package for the uplevel LS trim.
Two Grand Marquis trim levels are available for 2007: GS and LS. New 16-inch, 16-spoke machined aluminum wheels are standard on LS models. All Grand Marquis sedans wear a fresh grille, front fascia and headlights. LS sedans include an overhead console with a compass, map light and universal garage-door opener. A Handling Package is available for LS models and includes a rear stabilizer bar and air suspension, but is not available with the new Palm Beach package.
According to Ford, every Grand Marquis since 1996 has earned five-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in frontal-impact crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With side airbags installed, the sedan has also earned five stars in side-impact testing.
Lightweight hydroformed steel sections are used for the front rails of the full-perimeter frame. Standard 16-inch wheels are installed. An optional handling package for the LS sedan includes a rear stabilizer bar, rear air suspension and aluminum wheels.
Measuring 212 inches long overall, the Grand Marquis rides a 114.6-inch wheelbase and stands 58.3 inches tall. Rack-and-pinion steering includes speed-dependent variable assistance. Options include a moonroof, fog lamps and a full-size spare tire.
The Grand Marquis can hold up to six occupants. The trunk’s cargo capacity is 20.6 cubic feet. Liftover height is 26.8 inches, and a trunk organizer is optional.
Standard equipment for the GS includes keyless entry via a fob or door keypad and an eight-way power driver’s seat.
The LS adds power heated side mirrors, leather seating surfaces, power-adjustable pedals, an auto-dimming mirror and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other features.
The Palm Beach package adds various unique interior trim accents and badging, as well as power heated mirrors and side-impact airbags.
In standard form, the 4.6-liter V-8 develops 224 hp. Models with the optional handling package get a more potent 239-hp version of the V-8 with dual exhausts. Both engines team with a four-speed automatic transmission. The handling package includes a different rear-axle ratio for improved acceleration from a standstill. All-speed traction control is included with higher-end models.
All-disc antilock brakes incorporate electronic brake-force distribution. Side-impact airbags are optional. A dual-rate brake booster automatically supplies full braking power during a panic stop. The Palm Beach package adds side-impact airbags.
Fans of traditional rear-drive sedans don’t have many choices today. Fortunately, the Grand Marquis is a reasonable one, offering a comfortable ride, satisfactory performance and ample space. These attributes, however, are accompanied by tepid handling. Ford’s Crown Victoria delivers the same benefits, but the Grand Marquis contains more comfort and convenience features for the extra dollars.
