Deceivingly Large and Unexpectedly Good
Exactly where the new
Ford Five Hundred fits into the North American full-size sedan scene is not yet known. When the car was in
 |
| Will the new conservative Five Hundred be able to go head to head with the very popular Chrysler 300 that is currently dominating the mid- to large-size segment? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
its planning stages, no doubt the specifications chosen for overall size, features and performance, as well as its styling theme, were on target with the best in the entry-level luxury business, but now that the mid- to large-size segment has been successfully upended by Chrysler and its new
300-series sedan, will the more conservative Five Hundred put up a good fight or languish in obscurity? Of course, I can't answer that question, only you can, and that with your wallet. I can, however, attempt to draw some similarities between the two new entries, as well as some very clear differences. But in doing such it's important to bring to light additional competitors in this segment, so as not to get caught up in the epic battle-of-titans scenario that's being played out by auto writers across the nation.
Why the big comparo? C'mon, pitting the two most important cars to come down the respective pikes of two of the world's largest automakers, both on the road back from financial hardship is a no brainer. The 300 was a
 |
| Ford is relying on the loyalties of traditionally conservative blue oval buyers and winning some disenfranchised import owners to make the Five Hundred a hit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
make-it-or-break-it car for Chrysler - and I say "was" as there is no doubt it has made it, at least over the short term. Ford, with an entirely different approach to the same market segment, is relying on the loyalties of traditionally conservative blue oval buyers and hoping to reach beyond into import territory by scooping up a few disenfranchised Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota owners. More likely it will lure in Hyundai XG 350 and Mitsubishi Diamante customers, plus what could be a sizeable Volkswagen Passat ownership base, one of the most troubled automakers with regards to reliability, but one that has already bought into the J Mays arcing approach to automotive design (more on that in a minute).
