2002 Ford Crown Victoria: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Added standard equipment marks the 2002 version of Ford's rear-wheel-drive full-size sedan. Crown Victoria is similar to Mercury's Grand Marquis, and the platform is shared by the luxury Lincoln Town Car. Crown Vic is offered in base, LX, and LX Sport trim. New standard features include a power driver seat and heated mirrors on base models, and automatic climate control and power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals for LX and LX Sport. LX Sport comes with bucket seats, center console, sport suspension with rear leveling, and leather upholstery. Automatic transmission is standard on all models. The sole engine is a 4.6-liter V8 with 220 hp in base form and 235 in the LX Sport and with the optional Handling and Performance Package. ABS is standard on LX and LX Sport, optional on the base model. Traction control is optional for LX and LX Sport. Side airbags are unavailable. Revamped 2003 versions of the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis are due in summer 2002 and include a revised suspension and a Marauder sport edition of the Mercury, but no major styling changes.

COMPETITION

This segment has been hardest hit by the huge popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years ago there were more than 12 cars in the segment and now there are just seven. Heading up the field as Best Buys are the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid twins. They have real room for six, exceptional road manners, and plenty of power.

Toyota's Avalon and Buick's LeSabre are two Recommended choices. Both have room for five and offer a comfortable ride (with modest handling capabilities). If you are looking for towing ability or don't mind having a rear-drive car, then you might take a look at the Ford Crown Victoria. With its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis it's a dinosaur in this class, but Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.