Overview & Reviews

After years of focusing most of its attention on light trucks, Ford realized it needed a stronger lineup of passenger cars. In particular, the company needed a car that would appeal to families of four and five. The Ford Five Hundred was the result, a large sedan designed to appeal both to ex-SUV owners and traditional full-size-car buyers.

The Ford Five Hundred's biggest advantage was space, as it offered more than 40 inches of legroom front and rear as well as a massive 21-cubic-foot trunk. In addition, the seating position up front was higher than normal to provide a commanding view of the road.

Sales were never particularly strong, however, and Ford decided to rename the Five Hundred as the Taurus starting with the 2008 model year.

Most Recent Ford Five Hundred

Introduced for 2005, the Ford Five Hundred received minimal changes during its brief three-year run. This sedan is based on the previous-generation Volvo S80 platform, and made use of that car's all-wheel drive and safety technology. The Five Hundred's Swedish origins were immediately apparent when you drove it, as it provided both a comfortable ride and competent handling, with nicely weighted steering. Braking performance was mediocre, though, and Volvo's stability control system wasn't included in the package.

Passive safety was excellent in this large sedan. Originally optional, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags became standard for 2007. Additionally, the Ford Five Hundred aced crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning the highest possible rating in every category.

Three trim levels -- SE, SEL and Limited -- were offered initially, though for its last year the SE was dropped. Front-wheel drive was standard on both trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Choosing a front-drive Five Hundred paired the 203-horsepower V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, while opting for AWD mandated a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Key options included rear parking sensors, a navigation system and a rear DVD entertainment system, the latter a rarity in a mid-priced sedan.

Mediocre acceleration was the main drawback to the Five Hundred. Its standard 3.0-liter Duratec V6 was not as powerful or refined as most competitors' engines. Still, the Five Hundred's low pricing and top-notch crash test scores made it a reasonable family car pick. Consumers should know that the Ford Five Hundred was revamped and renamed the Taurus for 2008, and boasted a number of key improvements. The latter included much stronger performance courtesy of a potent new V6, upgraded cabin trim and available stability control.

User Reviews:

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  So far so good - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By hexanero - December 23 - 4:13 pm

  This car handles perfectly. Steering is extremely responsive for a larger car. Interior room in enormous. You can probably stick a smaller car in the trunk. The 6 speed provideds a very smooth shift. The brakes are pretty good. Overall the car is really quiet, its safe, and it fun to drive. The larger style mirrors provide excellent visibility. I would def purchase again.

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  Head Turner - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Phil - November 8 - 6:16 pm

  We are pleasantly surprised at the ride and fuel efficiency this Ford Five Hundred AWD Limited has. Also the performance gives the driver a feel of being in a high-end vehicle for a whole lot less money. This auto for the price is a must have vehicle in its class. We test drove a lot of vehicles and we are very happy with its overall results. People aways stop and ask what kind of vehicle it is.

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  Cruising in the suburbs - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Steven Salloway - November 7 - 4:30 pm

  This is a nice car. I test drove many cars in its class. This one beat them all and for less money! The gas mileage is great. The car has scored very high in safety features. The back seat is the largest you will find anywhere. It has a timeless understated look to it that everyone seems to like. For such a large car the fuel economy is going over its sticker. It has raised seating that allows for better visibility

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  Travel in Comfort for a Change - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By Galaxie 500 - September 28 - 2:10 am

  I travel in work all the time. The mark of a great car is not the racy numbers but how well do you feel after a lengthy trip? How comfortable were you along the way? Is there enough room to "take it with you?" How is the interior laid out? I can tell you that taking a trip in a Five Hundred sedan will be an experience unmatched by anything else in its price class.

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  This cant be a FORD! - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By John Mood - September 25 - 4:06 pm

  We have owned our 500 LTD AWD for a month. Absolutely LOVE it. Went to N.H. last weekend and averaged 26.6 mpg highway. Had a "glitch" with the Nav system the first morning. Temp was in the mid 30s. Its been OK since. Also a squeak developed in the right rear tire area while we were up north. Other than these two things , the car runs great, looks great, and most people CANT believe its a Ford.

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  Ford 500 is a fantastic car - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By John - September 13 - 12:06 pm

  I got the Ford 500 limited and Im tickled to death with it. I got mine with sun roof, upgraded sound system, back up sensor, adjustable pedals, and of course leather. The ride and comfort is great. Plenty of room inside. It sits up high, giving a great field of view. Has a huge trunk. The only drawback I see is it might need a little more power, but all in all Im very pleased. Great car.

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  I Like - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Chet - August 21 - 2:40 am

  I am very pleased with all aspects of my 500. Most of my driving is around town, so I dont really know about highway mileage but I get a little over 15 mpg in town. Im not an aggressive driver so I dont expect much improvement although I have only 1700 miles on my car.

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  Best Car I have Ever Owned - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Ina - August 19 - 1:56 am

  My family has owned 5 Ford cars over the years. The 500 was by far the best car. Never recalled for any reason, always reliable, fun, comfortable. I would trade the Fusion I have now for a 500 in a heartbeat!!!

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  My first American Car... - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By JohnV - August 11 - 12:43 pm

  ...and I love it! Glad we found this wonderful, large comfortable car - at such a great price. The styling is a bit on the vanilla side but who cares. Its attractive to me and thats all that matters. The command seating gives me a fantastic view of the road. The leg room for me (5-8) and my wife (5-4) is more than generous and the trunk can carry almost anything you can throw at it. This car, in my opinion, is a much better value than any strangely styled Honda, Nissan or Toyota on the road today.

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  Ford Five Hundred SE AWD - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By vthockeydad - August 7 - 1:46 pm

  I have had my Ford Five Hundred SE AWD for 4 weeks now and cannot understand why there are not a lot more of these cars on the road. (I drive approximately 50,000 miles per year and trade every two years) This is one of the best cars I have driven, especially for the money. It is a Volvo S80 frame and is incredibly solid, smooth, and safe. The handling is excellent with the AWD and you can get an interesting transmission that does not shift like conventional transmissions. I am averaging approximately 26 miles per gallon with a little over half my miles on highways. I highly recommend them. You can get one for around $22,000. Great car for the money.