1995-1998 Ford Windstar: Road Test

Start-up acceleration with the 3.8-liter engine is okay, but the relatively heavy Windstar fails to feel truly lively. The automatic transmission typically pauses before downshifting to pass, and often shifts roughly. The stronger 1996 version of the 3.8-liter doesn't improve performance dramatically, but its extra passing power is appreciated. The 3.0-liter V6 has to struggle, and feels sluggish when passing. Gas mileage is not the greatest either way. We averaged 15.9 mpg with one Windstar and just 13.8 with another. A 3.0-liter Windstar averaged 16 mpg in urban driving and 20-21 mpg on the highway. The absorbent suspension delivers a comfortable, stable ride at highway speeds and also on bumpy urban streets. Body lean is moderate, and tires grip well in spirited cornering. On the downside, steering feels loose and imprecise. Getting in and out of the front seats is just about as easy as in most passenger cars. Climbing into the rear requires ducking around a shoulder belt for the middle seat. The rear seat must be pushed all the way back on its 7-inch track to produce adequate leg space. Major controls are backlit at night, and the dashboard is conveniently laid out. The stereo is easy to reach, but controls are small and hard to decipher. Round dials for the climate system are easy to use. With all seats in place, Windstar offers 16 cubic feet of cargo room--more than a Grand Caravan/Voyager.

Value for the Money
Windstars haven't proven to be quite as successful as Ford had hoped, but Ford's front-drive model equals or beats Chrysler's minivans in key areas of performance and accommodations. Therefore, Windstar is well worth a try.