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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  five hundred,yeah - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By marjan ackov - April 6 - 10:22 am

  i got this one new 2007.by far the best car i ever had.i had bmw,mercedes,audi and many others but with this one did not have single issue.all services done in ford dealership,normal stuff, oil and filter.have 149000 miles on the car,i replice tires and the battery ones and thats it.still drives strong,interior is great,paint like new,not a single squik,overall very vell build.hard to find these for sale,people are not selling them because is good car.would buy new taurus.

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  Great car for the price! - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By HarrietT - February 9 - 7:00 pm

  I needed a car that would be able to fit my grandkids three car seats in the back seat. I wanted the Fusion, but my husband talked me into this car would be a better choice. Although there is nothing remarkable about the exterior design of this car, the comforable ride, the spacious interior, the well designed layout of the various operating controls, the over the board safety features, and the many storage cubbies have hit a homerun with me.

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  After 6 Months - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By tony cayless - January 20 - 8:33 am

  Traded in a Marquis on impulse one winter day when wheel spin would not let me out of the driveway. The Ford 500 seemed to offer a solution and after a test drive out of a frozen lot decided this was my car. Four wheel drive, constant velocity transmission, interior comfort a dream! Took it out on the highway after a heavy snow fall and below zero. This car went where I pointed it over icy conditions and was forgiving. Five months later I still love it. A bonus: I am spending much less on gas and to date have averaged 23 mpg. A good, solid, safe vehicle.

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  Many stop and ask - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By bob smith - January 16 - 1:43 pm

  I have had at least 15 people stop and ask about the car. Some even asked at stop lights. Others have asked to look inside. I have never said no. My wife and I are extremely pleased with the ride and height of the car. There are many features that would have cost extra on other makes and models. The message board is extremely accurate. When it states that I have used so many gallons of gas, it is accurate to the tenth when I fill up at the gas pump. Gas mileage is also accurate to withing a tenth of the mile. My city driving mpg is over 23+ mpg. This is backed up by dividing miles by gallons used. I have not done much highway driving yet, so I do not know if the top end is accurate.

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  Great Choice - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By esloan768 - January 6 - 3:56 pm

  No problems with 1,300 miles on the clock. Everything about this vehicle says solid. Rear seat is as comfortable as it gets in anything short of a limo. Fold down front seat allows me to carry lumber with the trunk closed that would stick out of a lot of truck beds. Its easy to drive it and some say its underpowered, but I have never had my foot to floor asking for more. The CVT allows all 203HP to be on tap on demand. Message center provides spot-on mileage estimates. My fill ups have been within .1 gal of what the computer says Ive used. Handles like a smaller car.