.
Ford Five Hundred
| |
| Ford Five Hundred | |
|---|---|
| Ford Motor Company | |
| Successor | Ford Taurus |
| Production | 2005-2007 |
| Class | Large Sedan |
| Body Style | 4-Door Sedan |
| Length | 201.5 in. |
| Width | 74.1 in. |
| Height | 61.2 in. |
| Wheelbase | 112.7 in. |
| Weight | 3,643 (FWD) 3,814 (AWD) |
| Transmission | 6-speed Automatic, CVT |
| Engine | 3.0 liter DOHC V6 |
| Power | 203 hp @ 6250 RPM 207 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM |
| Similar | Volkswagen Passat Buick Lucerne Dodge Charger Nissan Maxima Chrysler 300 Toyota Avalon Chevrolet Impala |
| Designer | |
The Ford Five Hundred (code name D258) was a full-size sedan produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2005 - 2007, succeeding the aging Ford Taurus program (which was 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 slotted between the Ford Fusion and the Crown Victoria. Final assembly takes place at Ford's Chicago Assembly plant.
2007 was the Ford Five Hundred's last year due to declining sales and unknown nameplate and was replaced by the 2008 Ford Taurus, which is a refreshed and restyled Five Hundred with more power and additional refinements 'under the skin'.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Ford Five Hundred Review.
Recent Changes
While the Five Hundred remains cosmetically unchanged for 2007, with the exception of two new exterior colors, its options packages have been updated to include several new features. For example, both trims are available in a new Chrome Package, and different options packages for the SEL and Limited offer such amenities as power adjustable pedals, a navigation system, SIRIUS satellite radio, and rear park distance sensor.
Styles and Major Options
The 2007 Five Hundred is available in two trims, the SEL and Limited. Both are equipped with the same 3.0L 203hp V6 engine, and both are available in either front wheel drive, which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, or full-time all wheel drive, which is operated by a 2-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). For a list of standard safety equipment found on the Five Hundred, see the Safety section below. Difference between the two trims include:
Five Hundred SEL
- Rear auto-levelling suspension
- 17" silver alloy wheels
- 8-way (6-way power) driver's bucket seat
- 4-way (2-way power) front passenger bucket seat
- Cloth seating and door trim
- Manual front air conditioning
- 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
- Cruise control
- Systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer
- Leather steering wheel and leather/metal-look shift knob
Five Hundred Limited
Adds to or replaces SEL features with:
- 18" polished alloy wheels
- 8-way power driver (4-way power passenger) heated front bucket seats
- Driver seat memory
- Leather seating and leatherette door trim
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- 7-speaker Audiophile premium AM/FM/MP3/6CD-changer audio system
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
Photos
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
Hybrid Models
There are currently no hybrid models of the Five Hundred in production
Unique Attributes
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: (2005–2007)
Design
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.
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.
Worldwide
Design quirks and oddities
Awards
See also
| Ford cars made for the European market | ||
| Köln | Y | Rheinland | Eifel | C Ten | 7Y | 7W | Prefect | Anglia | Pilot | Zephyr | Consul | Squire | Taunus Vedette | Comète | Cortina | Popular | Classic | Corsair | Escort | Capri | Granada | Fiesta | Sierra | RS200 | Orion | Scorpio | Probe | Mondeo | Galaxy | Ka | Puma | Focus | Cougar | Maverick | Fusion | GT | Focus C-MAX | S-MAX | ||
| Edit this template | ||
External links
- Official website
- MyFord500.com- Features news releases, links, photo galleries, and specifications.
This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Ford Five Hundred, which includes these contributors.
