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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  Great Car - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By James - December 29 - 2:36 am

  I eagerly awaited the Five Hundreds release after I saw it at the Chicago Auto show. I love it. Im glad Ford is finally taking advantage of Volvos engineering.

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  Good Solid Sedan - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Robert - December 26 - 8:00 pm

  I like the size and comfort of this car. I upgraded to some black rims and it looks like a B/B 450 in black and that works for me. The car could use a GPS and iPod/MP3 interface. A driver needs to look over the shoulder because of the blind spots in the mirrors. My wife loves the individual heated seat controls. My children covet the car with the upgrade rims.

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  Not Reliable - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By len - December 24 - 11:46 pm

  We got our car Christmas of 2004 and ever since then, weve been fixing it bit by bit. Right off the bat we had to have the CD player and trunk mechanism replaced. Also, noticed a problem with accelerating from a rolling stop. That was a computer problem they didnt end up fixing until Christmas 2005. Also, got a dash bubble. That was replaced. Then the reverse sensing and memory seats went out. Now theyve been replaced. We have had enough however Ford will not replace our car. It doesnt quite fall under the lemon laws and they wont do what is ethically right and give us a replacement. We dont know what next will go wrong with the car.

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  Tell it like it is - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Outfront Guy - December 21 - 6:00 pm

  Good car for older driver...not real sporty looking.

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  Love This Car - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Gerald - December 9 - 12:10 pm

  Traded an 03 Acura TL which was a great car on the highway, but was not ergonomically suited to less than agile youngsters entering and exiting. And even youth found the back seat less than comfortable. The 500 is just the opposite, and while the 6-speed hunts a lot at around 45-55, it is a a good driving car that is, for a sedan, very responsive.

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  Great Family Car - 2007 Ford Five Hundred
  By Geo - December 7 - 3:34 pm

  Mpg 30 highway, 25 around town, really nice for a comfortable family car

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  Great Car - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Dave M. - December 3 - 4:36 pm

  Being new parents, we were attracted to this model for really three reasons; safety, reliability, and the roomy interior. The high roofline really is nice when loading the baby in and out of the back seat. In July, we took a 9-hour car trip through the mountains and it was impressive. I dont understand the "lack of power" issue this car climbed those hill effortlessly. I think many are thrown off by the smooth transmission and mistake that for a lack of power. It doesnt feel like you are travelig that fast, then you glance down at the speedometer and say whoa. This is a great vehicle and we are so impressed that when we replace our other vehicle, well be replacing it with a Freestyle.

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  Great Car - 2005 Ford Five Hundred
  By Kathy - November 19 - 1:56 pm

  I fell in love with the Limited back in April and nothing else in this class would do. This is my first Ford after many Hondas. While the exterior may appear somewhat "average", I assure you that the interior is not. Its a pretty car, enormous trunk, great family car with style. I purchased a red with beige leather interior. It rides high, which feels safe. The surround airbags are a great safety feature. Its just a pretty car and I smile whenever I drive it!

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  Satisfied with my Five Hundred - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By Roger - November 19 - 11:56 am

  I just purchased a 2005 model year Limited FWD for my wife. We have had it about 2 weeks and simply love this car. The interior is simply outstanding and has a very luxury look and feel to it. Seats are very comfortable, front and rear legroom is great, road noise is acceptable but could be improved (I can still carry on a conversation in the car without raising the level of my voice). Power is more than adequate for us. The Duratec 3.0 liter engine is a very reliable engine. I have a 1996 Sable, also purchased new, with over 90K miles and have had no issues whatsoever with it. Im looking forward to several years of driving pleasure with our new Five Hundred.

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  Four Months with my Ford 500 Limited - 2006 Ford Five Hundred
  By L Jackman - November 16 - 2:46 am

  Im happy with the car. I had an SUV for 6 years, loved it. This is a nicer ride, smooth; I love the high seating---good road visibility and comfort. I never thought I would buy a Ford---Im totally impressed and recommend this to anyone looking for a larger vehicle.