Best Big Ford in Years
Good news and bad news here. The good news is that this is the best large Ford we can remember. The bad news is that this is the finest large Ford we can remember. In other words, this is a much improved car, but it is not going to be a segment leader. The reason is simple. The engine is just adequate and there are no optional choices, and the exterior is too bland. Both of these can readily be solved, because the beauty of this value leader is the chassis and room the Five Hundred provides.
Indeed, for just over $23,000 US you get acres of room, a fuel sipping V6 engine, and a chassis that is both relaxed and steady. Throw in such standard features as 17-inch wheels, a six-way power driver seat, full power accessories, remote locks, air conditioning, a CD player and cruise control and you have yourself some talking points when dealing with Camry, Avalon, and Accord owners.
For whatever reason, and we applaud Ford for this, they have decided to offer a continuous variable transmission, available all-wheel drive on the Five Hundred, which resides in a modified Volvo S80 platform. This increases the price slightly, but you are talking about an all-wheel drive sedan with room for five adults at a price less than a much smaller and less powerful Subaru Legacy. Indeed, what Ford has done here is produce one of the most economically all wheel drive vehicles you can own and certainly a price leader in the large sedan category. So those of you who live in the mountains or where the weather turns cold and white, this 500 Hundred could easily replace your gas hoggish SUV all for the low price of $1700 for the all-wheel drive option.
Mom's view: First, I had a very difficult time finding this car in the parking lot. It looks generic and lacks distinction. Secondly, the seats are wide and fairly flat. I found it difficult to get comfortable in them. They seem designed for those who are a bit more hefty than me. Thirdly, the engine is okay, but when this is loaded with four people and their luggage is stored in the vast trunk, the 203 horsepower V6 was reluctant to react and you are certainly going to hear the engine when you ask it to produce those 200 plus horsepower. Of course, the Five Hundred weighs nearly two tons and so that is to be expected.
Safetywise Ford offers plenty. You get standard depowered front airbags, passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation, traction control, antilock disc brakes, auto delay off headlamps, child seat anchors, emergency interior trunk release, rear door child safety locks, front seatbelt pretensioners, rear center 3-point belt, remote anti-theft alarm system, dusk sensing headlamps, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Optional and highly recommended are side-impact airbags that protect front and side curtain airbags. Although this model has not been crash tested I would expect superior scores.
The 21 cubic foot trunk is enormous, but that also creates the problem of how to reach what's in the bottom without literally falling into the cave like opening. The liftover was high for me, not surprising since the Five Hundred and the new SUVish Ford Free Style use a similar chassis. My biggest complaint was that when you used the remote to open the rear lid it barely moved. This meant getting my hands dirty trying to squeeze my fingers under the lid so I could put my packages inside.
You sit quite high in the Five Hundred with first-class visibility all around. The night lighting is superior, even the puddle lights mounted under the outside mirrors were outstanding. When you opened the doors the interior lights flooded the car. Very reassuring, and the headlights were also well above average. A word about those doors; they are big and heavy so be warned when parking on hills that they can promote some unkind words. However, it is reassuring to have such a solid structure protecting you from side impacts. I believe that if Ford can get drivers to give the Five Hundred a try they could well become customers. It does grow on you.
Good news and bad news here. The good news is that this is the best large Ford we can remember. The bad news is that this is the finest large Ford we can remember. In other words, this is a much improved car, but it is not going to be a segment leader. The reason is simple. The engine is just adequate and there are no optional choices, and the exterior is too bland. Both of these can readily be solved, because the beauty of this value leader is the chassis and room the Five Hundred provides.
Indeed, for just over $23,000 US you get acres of room, a fuel sipping V6 engine, and a chassis that is both relaxed and steady. Throw in such standard features as 17-inch wheels, a six-way power driver seat, full power accessories, remote locks, air conditioning, a CD player and cruise control and you have yourself some talking points when dealing with Camry, Avalon, and Accord owners.
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Mom's view: First, I had a very difficult time finding this car in the parking lot. It looks generic and lacks distinction. Secondly, the seats are wide and fairly flat. I found it difficult to get comfortable in them. They seem designed for those who are a bit more hefty than me. Thirdly, the engine is okay, but when this is loaded with four people and their luggage is stored in the vast trunk, the 203 horsepower V6 was reluctant to react and you are certainly going to hear the engine when you ask it to produce those 200 plus horsepower. Of course, the Five Hundred weighs nearly two tons and so that is to be expected.
Safetywise Ford offers plenty. You get standard depowered front airbags, passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation, traction control, antilock disc brakes, auto delay off headlamps, child seat anchors, emergency interior trunk release, rear door child safety locks, front seatbelt pretensioners, rear center 3-point belt, remote anti-theft alarm system, dusk sensing headlamps, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Optional and highly recommended are side-impact airbags that protect front and side curtain airbags. Although this model has not been crash tested I would expect superior scores.
The 21 cubic foot trunk is enormous, but that also creates the problem of how to reach what's in the bottom without literally falling into the cave like opening. The liftover was high for me, not surprising since the Five Hundred and the new SUVish Ford Free Style use a similar chassis. My biggest complaint was that when you used the remote to open the rear lid it barely moved. This meant getting my hands dirty trying to squeeze my fingers under the lid so I could put my packages inside.
You sit quite high in the Five Hundred with first-class visibility all around. The night lighting is superior, even the puddle lights mounted under the outside mirrors were outstanding. When you opened the doors the interior lights flooded the car. Very reassuring, and the headlights were also well above average. A word about those doors; they are big and heavy so be warned when parking on hills that they can promote some unkind words. However, it is reassuring to have such a solid structure protecting you from side impacts. I believe that if Ford can get drivers to give the Five Hundred a try they could well become customers. It does grow on you.