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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  The Ford Five-Hundred - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Karen - May 18 - 8:46 am

  So far The Five-Hundred has been a nice smooth ride & easy handling. I love the heated mirrors in the nasty weather & the all-wheel drive. It is a definite must in bad weather.The roomy inside is nice also with leather seats & heated seats. It has a lot of features to enjoy. It is good for long trips. Very comfortable. I like the fact that you are sitting up higher then most other cars. It gives you a clear view of the road.

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  comfortable to drive - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By comfort - May 18 - 6:00 am

  I drive about 2500 miles per month and I have had occasion to be in the car as long as 11 hours with just short stops. By far this is one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven. Love the pep on the highway, cruise is constant and does not drift. Best car Ford has ever put on the road!

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  Great Car - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Chitown - May 17 - 10:26 pm

  The car was a dealer demo but with only 1,600 miles on it when purchased it was basically new. I love the fact that it is a 5 star safety rated sedan. I get 26mph on the hwy and 22 around town. The Continuously Variable Transmission once you know how it works is great. Get to speed and let off the gas a little and the RPMs fall giving you the added fuel economy for such a large sedan. It looks good, is very comfortable to drive and the trunk is large enough to carry luggage for a family of four on a weeks vacation. I have 54,000 miles with no trouble except two turn signal lights. I recommend this car two everyone who is looking for a family sedan and would buy it again.

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  best car ever - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By brenda - May 12 - 8:40 pm

  I love this car. I used to own only suvs but needed to get something more economical and this car is great. The other cars I test drove made me feel like I was driving a go cart you know sitting so low but this sits up higher its just great. I have no problems with it. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

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  loving it - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By dixon - May 11 - 1:00 pm

  I love everything about this car, the ride, the style and the comfort that it offers. The stares that it gets on the road is an added bonus. The car handles well at any speed and during all weather conditions. This is a luxury car but not at a luxury price. The space that it offers is great as rear seat passengers always enjoy comfort. I find that it is good on gas and that is a plus in this current economy, also great if you have to do a lot of shopping, the trunk is huge!. Highly recommended.

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  very satisfied - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By jose cardenas - May 9 - 3:06 pm

  i travel to work in my car every day and it feels good to drive very smooth and handles great from me; no complaints, just needs more body side molding for other careless drivers out there. It feels like a luxury sedan. The engine has a lot of power, very nice sedan.

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  Thrilled With This Purchase - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Mitchell - April 28 - 3:13 am

  After 2 months, I could not be happier with my new 500. I test drove 20 cars before choosing the 500. I was close to buying a Benz E320, but the 500 delivered much more value. The cvt seemed like a sales gimmick, but the smooth shifts are so unnoticeable in my hilly neighborhood. The rear leg room made possible by the raised front seats means my kids do not fight over the front. (The rear is as roomy as a BMW 700 series or Mercedes S Class!). The trunk is massive. The inside feels totally luxurious. Please do not compare with a Honda Accord, this is so much roomier and luxurious. And the 6 cylinder may not be a rocket, but it delivers enough power with good gas mileage. Go buy this car.

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  The Best! - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By A.Gray - April 24 - 6:50 am

  Id been looking foward to this car since I saw it at the auto show in NYC last year. Now that I own it all I can say is WOW! The Command Seating gives you real confidence. The cars overall stature is impressive. Handling is better than the Taurus. Interior space is overwhelming. Exterior design is flawless. Heads turn when you drive by. This ones a keeper. Great Job Ford!

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  Recomended for a good reason - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By Hi5 - April 7 - 4:06 pm

  Consumer reports hit the nail on the head. This big car drives well, gets good mileage and has lots of room. Add to that the fact you can get big discounts and rebates with a 5 year 60K warranty and its a no-brainer, if you are in the market for a big American car that drives like an import and looks like it wont age much.

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  After one month... - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By cr - March 31 - 12:16 pm

  Weve had the car for just over a month and have been quite pleased with its handling and comfort. All the extra features make the car fun to drive on long trips with 4 people and it handles great in the snow and rain. We had hoped for better MPG in the city, but highway mileage is appropriate for a car of its size (or even smaller). The higher seating puts it at a very nice, neutral level (no getting up out of a car or down out of a truck) and the seats are very comfortable.