Ford Five Hundred

The Ford Five Hundred (code name D258) is a full-size sedan produced by the Ford Motor Company, succeeding the Ford Taurus program (which will be phased out for 2007). In North America, the name is intended to recall the Fairlane 500 and Galaxie 500 models of the 1950s through 1970s. The car currently slots between the Ford Fusion and the Crown Victoria. Final assembly takes place at Ford's Chicago Assembly plant.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Ford Five Hundred Review.

Recent Changes

With the successful introduction of the bold-looking Fusion and its bright three-bar chrome grille representing Ford's new styling direction, the Five Hundred has been fast-tracked for a facelift in 2007, with a similar updated design theme. The vehicle is also scheduled to receive the larger, more powerful 3.5 L Cyclone V6 with a six-speed 6F automatic transmission.

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Ford Five Hundred can be found at CarsDirect.

Five Hundred Trims
SEL 2WD	Limited 2WD	SEL AWD	Limited AWD
MSRP
$23,035	$26,610	$24,885	$28,460
Invoice
$21,281	$24,499	$22,947	$26,164

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
Five Hundred 2WD	Five Hundred AWD
MPG
21/29	19/25

Reliability

As a model which only debuted in 2005, the Five Hundred is still too new to provide accurate long-term reliability data. However, according to Consumer Reports, "reliability has been average" so far for the 2007 model.

Safety

The Five Hundred performed well in safety tests carried out by the NHTSA. In rollover tests, it received 4-Star ratings, and all other tests for front- and side-impact yielded 5-Star ratings. Some of the standard safety equipment found on the Five Hundred includes:

• ABS and driveline traction control
• Front and rear anti-roll bars
• Four wheel anti-lock brakes
• Driver/passenger front-impact airbags
• Driver/passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags
• Safety Canopy System overhead airbags
• Side impact bars

Colors

Colors will vary by trim, and a full list is viewable at CarsDirect.com. Some of the available combinations are:

Exterior

• Alloy Clearcoat Metallic
• Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic
• Red Fire Clearcoat Metallic
• Silver Birch Clearcoat Metallic
• Titanium Green Metallic

Interior

• Black
• Pebble
• Shale

Main Competitors

• Mazda Mazda6
• Volkswagen Passat
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Camry
• Hyundai Sonata
• Buick Lucerne
• Dodge Charger
• Nissan Maxima

Hybrid Models

There are currently no hybrid models of the Five Hundred in production

Resale Values

According to Kelley Blue Book, "the Five Hundred [should] retain a slightly better-than-average resale value, holding onto more of its value than the Chevrolet Impala and Hyundai Sonata, while remaining on par with the Dodge Charger V6. The Five Hundred's resale figures lag behind the Volkswagen Passat, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Criticisms

• "The 203 horsepower is just adequate; gunning the accelerator produces a lot of roar but not so much forward motion....The steering is too vague for my taste, with a reluctance to stay on center." - The New York Times
• "The front seats are hard, flat and unsupportive. They are painful enough to yield saddle sores on a cross-country trek." - Cars.com
• "If you yearn for expressive styling, the Five Hundred's conservative countenance might not thrill your synapses. Some drivers may have trouble getting used to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) fitted with the all-wheel drive system because its smooth and linear power delivery negates the familiar kick felt when changing gears." - Kelley Blue Book
• "The Five Hundred has smooth styling, but looks too bland to turn heads." - MSN Autos

First Generation: (2005–Present)

Design

Ford Five Hundred SEL

Available powertrains consist of a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine, and the choice of a continuously variable transmission or six-speed automatic transmission, and either front-wheel drive or the same Haldex all-wheel drive system used in the Volvo XC90. A 3.5 L V6 will be added for 2008 along with a new grille. A prototype 4.4L V8 is also in the works with a longer body of 6 inches.

Based on the Ford D3 platform which also supports the Volvo S60 and S80, the XC70 and XC90 SUVs. The Five Hundred's twin is the Mercury Montego (which isn't available in Canada), and is also the basis for the Ford Freestyle crossover SUV.

The Five Hundred was designed to provide large car interior volume with manageable outside dimensions, while delivering good fuel economy. Its design is also notably tall for a sedan, giving drivers an SUV or minivan-like command of the road. Its trunk, one of the largest on the market, can hold 8 full-sized loaded golf bags. The Five Hundred was first introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Befitting its Volvo roots, the Five Hundred has garnered class leading results in crash tests conducted by the IIHS as well as NHTSA.

Pricing and sales

Trim lines include SE, SEL, and Limited with all-wheel drive available across the range. Base prices start at US$22,795 (for a front-wheel drive SE) and range to US$28,495 (for an all-wheel drive Limited). The Five Hundred has the lowest MSRP starting cost in its class.

The Five Hundred began production on July 12, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois and became available to the public in September 2004. Although criticized by the automotive press for its bland styling (in comparison to that of its competitor Chrysler 300), the Five Hundred has been a relative success for Ford. It has captured 8.5% of the American large sedan market, above expectations, with just over 100,000 sold in 2005.

External links

• MyFord500.com- Features news releases, links, photo galleries, and specifications.
• 2006 Ford Five Hundred

• Official website

References

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Ford Five Hundred, which includes these contributors.