2004 North American International Auto Show
Built on an adaptation of the Volvo platform used for the S80, Ford claims that the Five Hundred stands alone as the first crossover-based car. Designed as a sedan alternative for potential SUV shoppers, the Five Hundred features several of the advantages of SUVs and crossovers, including class-leading cargo capacity (21cubic feet) and optional all-wheel drive. Also like traditional SUVs, the Five Hundred offers a tall seating position, as much as four inches higher than competitors, which is designed to provide a better view of the road. Ford boasts that the Five Hundred is a big car interior in a midsize body. And with a clean, modern look and downright cavernous cargo capacity that easily swallows up eight loaded golf bags, the Five Hundred is more than just practical; it also provides an added level of luxury that Ford Motor Company usually reserves for its Lincoln-Mercury division.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Limited AWD - Review
Ford did its homework, and did it well. The Volvo platform is a very good one. But, basic architecture and stampings aside, the Five Hundred is a Ford, not a Volvo. Nowhere will you find a ``Made in Sweden'' sticker, it is born in the Chicago, IL plant that used to build Tauruses. Ford and Ford family products. The Five Hundred is positioned more upscale than the Taurus, and three trim levels are offered - value-leader SE, midlevel SEL, and premium Limited. Standard equipment levels are high even in the SE. Interestingly, the standard transmission in the SE and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of the others is a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). The AWD system is the same as is used by Volvo for the S80, designed for all-weather pavement driving. A mid-sized sedan only has so much space, and it just isn't enough for many people. But the downside of SUV space and size is fuel economy - 15mpg is expensive with the current and projected future price of gasoline. The Five Hundred has far more interior space than the Taurus - almost as much as the larger Crown Victoria, and in fact more trunk room than a Crown Vic - combined with the sort of cargo-passenger arrangement versatility expected in an SUV. And it has a relatively high driver eyepoint, for good visibility.
2005 Ford Five Hundred - Review - IntelliChoice
Kicking off a two-pronged strategy to replace the Taurus after the 2006 model year, the larger 2005 Five Hundred offers a more sophisticated package that will be joined by the leaner Fusion in fall 2005. Sold in three series (SE, SEL, and Limited), the Five Hundred is offered only as a four-door sedan only-consider the Ford Freestyle crossover as a companion station wagon. The Five Hundred's other family relation is the Mercury Montego, a functionally identical sedan distinguished by minor trim and appearance changes. Although the Five Hundred is an all-new car, it looks vaguely familiar. Where the Taurus was a fresh, even brazen design when it debuted, the Five Hundred body is derivative, sharing more than a few lines with the stately 2005 Volkswagen Passat, itself redesigned for 2006. While the competing Chrysler 300's styling is certainly distinctive-and has helped make that rear-drive sedan a hot-seller-its high window line and low roof make the car much harder to see out of than the more conventionally styled Five Hundred. Generous cabin space and a command seating position are two of the Five Hundred's major strong points. In fact, despite it being a foot shorter overall than the full-size Ford Crown Victoria, efficient packaging makes the Five Hundred roomier inside, with the back seat particularly expansive. The car seats five-no front bench is offered-and is exceptionally comfortable in all places.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Review AutoSite New Car Reviews
For good or ill, the 2005 Ford Five Hundred is it - at least until the 2006 Ford Fusion arrives next year. Whether it makes the grade will be, of course, up to how many of you plunk down hard-earned cash on it, and, ultimately, how many come back for more. Such a shame. Ford was so close to building what would have been heralded as the perfect mid-sized sedan. With a nice euro-design and Ford sensibilities, the Five Hundred is just a little light under the hood, that's all. But the lack of grunt is a damning crime in the eyes of most Americans, especially when its competition, the overly muscular Chrysler 300, offers a power charge with looks meant to intimidate. Slotted above the Focus and the upcoming Fusion, the 2005 Ford Five Hundred is three inches longer than the Taurus and a foot shorter than the Crown Victoria. According to Ford, the actual difference in the Five Hundred when compared to other sedans on the road is the engineering focus on the "H" point - otherwise known as the hip's pivot point. According to Ford engineers, from this point, all things come together or fall apart: Unless the "H" point is considered, for example, massive amounts of legroom could go to waste.
CanadianDriver: First Drive - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
Chicago, Illinois - Unlike the 2005 Ford Freestyle, which blends attributes of a car, station wagon, crossover, and SUV, there's no confusing its sedan sibling, the Five Hundred, for anything but a car. After more than 400 kilometres of highway and city driving, the Five Hundred proved a capable performer. Corners came and went without appreciable body roll, and kilometres disappeared under the smooth ride. In the city, the car didn't feel its size and was easy to manoeuvre. Seats are comfortable, gauges easily read, everything tailored and tidy with pleasant interior surfaces throughout. That being said, both the Freestyle and the Five Hundred offer desirable features from cars and SUVs. According to Ford, these features - safety, elevated driving position, available all-wheel drive, fuel economy, interior volume (it has a giant trunk), flexibility, and available luxury appointments - are what consumers in this vehicle segment are looking for.
Research a New Car - 2005 Ford Five Hundred New Car Test Drive
Ford first used the Five Hundred designation in numerical form on the highest trim version of its 1957 Fairlane model and the car helped Ford overtake Chevrolet in the sales race. When Ford launched a new flagship, the Galaxie, in 1959, it again used the "500" badge to indicate the most upscale version. The Five Hundred is part of Ford's strategy to replace the old Taurus with more specialized vehicles that better fit the needs of individual buyers. Those who need even more space for people and cargo can opt for the Freestyle, a crossover wagon based on the Five Hundred.
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