2005 Ford Crown Victoria Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Ford's large, rear-wheel-drive V8 sedan shares its design with Mercury's Grand Marquis. Crown Vic offers standard, LX, and LX Sport models. Standard and LX have a front bench seat; the LX Sport has buckets with a center console. Automatic transmission is standard. The sole engine is a 4.6-liter V8 with 224 hp in base form, 239 in the LX Sport or with the optional Handling and Performance Package. ABS is standard. Front side airbags are optional on LX and LX Sport; traction control is optional on all.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large, inside and out, they also include the only 6-passenger cars. Large Cars offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.

News

Sources see a minor restyle and maybe a few new features for the 2006 Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis. A 6-speed automatic transmission has been rumored, but is still unconfirmed. Otherwise, these traditional biggies will be the basically same cars we've known for years.

What happens next is unclear. There has been talk of a 2008 replacement based on Ford's Australian-market Falcon, a rear-drive V8 sedan slightly smaller than Grand Marquis/Crown Vic. But company insiders dismiss that idea, and an '08-model debut would require some heavy engineering overtime. We'd guess Ford will opt for a different kind of next-generation big car, which probably couldn't happen before 2010.

2005 Ford Crown Victoria Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
5	5.8

Generally smooth and strong around town, but transmission's tardy downshifts make for lazy merging and passing response in a broad 40-60-mph range. Traction control is a snowy-climate essential.

Fuel Economy

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
4	4.6

Test 239-hp LX averaged 22.4 mpg in mostly highway driving; an LX Sport averaged 16.3 in a city/highway mix. Base V8 isn't significantly thriftier. Crown Vics and Grand Marquis use regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
7	6.6

Soft base suspension absorbent, fairly controlled, despite some float on pavement undulations. Firmer Handling and Performance setup can be jittery over sharp, closely spaced bumps, but quells some float and is no big penalty in overall comfort.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
6	5.8

Steering linear and accurate in turns, steady and slop free in highway cruising. Still, Crown Vic and Grand Marquis handling characterized by marked body lean in fast changes of direction, mediocre tire grip. Little evident difference with Handling and Performance Package, but we recommend it for the included load-leveling rear suspension.

Quietness

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
7	6.7

Good isolation from road, mechanical noise. Wind rush, too, despite intermittent side-window whistle in one test Crown Vic.

Controls

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
4	6

Climate and audio systems set far from driver; available steering-wheel controls help. LX Sport has extra gauges and floorshift console. Crown Vic's optional digital instruments easy to read, but we prefer the standard analog gauges. All models suffer from a plethora of hard plastic surfaces that lend the cabin a budget-grade feel, even with leather upholstery.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
7	7.6

Good-old big-car feel, with adult-size room and easy access. However, seats in all models are virtually flat, so lateral support in turns is poor.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
6	6.5

Spacious, but too soft for long-distance comfort. Center driveshaft tunnel intrudes on foot room.

Cargo Room

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
6	5.6

Trunk holds lots of luggage, but space is concentrated in a deep center well, so removing heavy objects is a strain and some bulky items are a tough fit. Spare tire still above rear axle, but available trunk storage unit divides center well into more-useful covered bins.

Value within Class

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
5	6.6

Rear-drive traditionalists are well-served by the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis. But these sedans still don't feel or act as lively and efficient as more-modern designs such as the Chrysler 300.

Total Score

LX w/Handling and Perf. Pkg.	Class Average
57	61.8

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		54
Average Score		61
High Score		71

2005 Ford Crown Victoria Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/06/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Standard 4-door sedan	$24,430	$22,956	$750

LX 4-door sedan	$27,570	$25,293	$750

LX Sport 4-door sedan	$30,520	$27,948	$750

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Standard

Powertrain

4.6-liter V8 224-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front split bench seat, 8-way power driver seat, cupholders, column shifter, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 225/60R16 tires, wheel covers.

LX adds to Standard:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, overhead console, compass.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Alloy wheels.

LX Sport adds to LX:

Powertrain

4.6-liter V8 239-horsepower engine, performance axle ratio.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Automatic climate control, leather upholstery, front bucket seats w/power lumbar adjustment, 8-way power passenger seat, center console w/floor shifter, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Performance suspension, rear load-leveling air suspension, full-size spare tire, 235/55HR17 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premier Group
LX	$1,205	$1,072
Automatic climate control, power passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Premier Group w/CD changer
LX	$1,670	$1,486
Premier Group plus in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Handling and Performance Pkg.
LX	$615	$547
Includes 239-horsepower engine, dual exhaust, performance springs, shocks, and stabilizer bars, rear load-leveling air suspension, performance axle ratio, 225/60TR16 touring tires, unique alloy wheels.

Powertrain
Traction control
LX, LX Sport, Standard	$175	$156


Safety
Front side airbags
LX, LX Sport	$300	$267


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
LX, LX Sport	$1,025	$913
LX requires Premier Group.

Power-adjustable pedals
LX, LX Sport, Standard	$120	$107


Remote keyless entry
Standard	$255	$227


Leather upholstery
LX	$795	$708
Requires Premier Group.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Standard, LX	$185	$165


In-dash 6-disc CD changer
LX, LX Sport	$650	$579


Electronic instruments
LX	$235	$209
Digital instruments, trip computer.

Heated power mirrors
LX, LX Sport, Standard	$35	$31


Trunk storage unit
LX, LX Sport	$190	$169


Laminated side windows
LX, LX Sport	$295	$263


Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/60TR16 whitewall tires
Standard, LX	$80	$71
NA w/Handling and Performance Pkg.

Full-size spare tire
Standard, LX	$115	$102

2005 Ford Crown Victoria Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Ford Crown Victoria 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	114.7

Overall Length, in.	212.0

Overall Width, in.	78.2

Overall Height, in.	58.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	4101

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	20.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.0

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	39.5

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V8	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.6 /281	4.6 /281

Horsepower @ rpm.	224 @ 4800	239 @ 4900

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	275 @ 4000	287 @ 4100

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/25	18/25

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Ford Crown Victoria 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	5

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	5/100,000 on Focus. 8/100,000 on Escape Hybrid battery pack. In CA, hybrid components are covered by a 10/150,000 warranty.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/Unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Canada

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Photos

Also in the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Review:

Ford Crown Victoria

Ford Crown Victoria Road Test

Ford Crown Victoria Prices & Equipment

Ford Crown Victoria Specs & Safety

Ford Crown Victoria Photos

Ford Crown Victoria Full Review

All Ford Crown Victorias

All Fords