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2005 Ford Five Hundred Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2005 Ford Five Hundred Review:
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2.
3.
4.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Review
For 2005, Ford debuts a new 4-dr sedan with available all-wheel drive. The Five Hundred accommodates five passengers on seats Ford says are mounted about 4 inches higher than in other sedans. SE, SEL, and Limited models are offered, all with a 203-hp 3.0-liter V6 and a choice of front-wheel drive or AWD. Front-drive SEs and all AWD Five Hundreds use a continuously variable automatic transmission. A CVT provides variable drive ratios vs. a conventional automatic's preset ratios. Front-drive SEL and Limited versions get a 6-speed automatic transmission. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control are standard. No antiskid system is available. SE and SEL have 17-inch wheels, Limited has 18s. Front torso side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags are optional. Standard equipment includes a power driver seat and split folding rear seatbacks; SEL and Limiteds add a folding front-passenger seat. Options include a sunroof and rear obstacle detection. The Five Hundred shares its basic design and powertrains with the Mercury Montego sedan and with Ford's Freestyle crossover SUV.
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.
Our Best Buys include the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.
News
Though its paint is hardly dry, the Five Hundred is said to be in for an early facelift with its 2008 models, expected in January '07. The main change is said to be a new grille with three thick horizontal bars, a look due to appear on other Ford cars in coming years. Five Hundred is also expected to get a power boost via a new 3.5-liter Ford-designed V6. Timing is unclear, but we'd guess it will show up in the restyled '08s, perhaps as standard.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Available all-wheel drive | Automatic-transmission performance |
| Passenger and cargo room | |
| Control layout | |
| Visibility | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Adequate and on par with most V6 rivals, despite one of the smallest engines in class. Test AWD Five Hundred did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph, test front-drive Montego did 7.9. CVT's best trait is good highway-passing response, though some drivers may need time to adjust to behavior in rapid acceleration, where engine speed can race ahead of road speed until CVT reaches "right" ratio. Disappointingly, 6-speed automatic hunts between gears, particularly in hilly terrain, and includes neither manual-shift feature nor capability to lock out top three gears.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Adequate and on par with most V6 rivals, despite one of the smallest engines in class. Test AWD Five Hundred did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph, test front-drive Montego did 7.9. CVT's best trait is good highway-passing response, though some drivers may need time to adjust to behavior in rapid acceleration, where engine speed can race ahead of road speed until CVT reaches "right" ratio. Disappointingly, 6-speed automatic hunts between gears, particularly in hilly terrain, and includes neither manual-shift feature nor capability to lock out top three gears.
Fuel Economy
Test AWD Five Hundred and Montego averaged 19.1-19.2 mpg in mix of city/highway driving. Front-drive Montego with 6-speed automatic averaged 15.9 mpg in test that included gas-eating acceleration runs. Ford recommends regular-grade fuel for all Five Hundreds and Montegos.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
Test AWD Five Hundred and Montego averaged 19.1-19.2 mpg in mix of city/highway driving. Front-drive Montego with 6-speed automatic averaged 15.9 mpg in test that included gas-eating acceleration runs. Ford recommends regular-grade fuel for all Five Hundreds and Montegos.
Ride Quality
Despite minor variations in suspension tuning, both Five Hundred and Montego are generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though sharpest bumps can jolt. Little difference in ride quality between 17- and 18-inch tires, or between front-drive and AWD.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.6 |
Despite minor variations in suspension tuning, both Five Hundred and Montego are generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though sharpest bumps can jolt. Little difference in ride quality between 17- and 18-inch tires, or between front-drive and AWD.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Good balance in turns, with only moderate lean, despite relatively tall body. Steering feel light at low speeds for easy parking, satisfyingly linear at higher speeds. Test AWD versions furnished outstanding grip on wet and snowy surfaces. Good brake-pedal feel and stopping power.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Good balance in turns, with only moderate lean, despite relatively tall body. Steering feel light at low speeds for easy parking, satisfyingly linear at higher speeds. Test AWD versions furnished outstanding grip on wet and snowy surfaces. Good brake-pedal feel and stopping power.
Quietness
Fine suppression of wind, road noise. AWD test versions' powertrain whined audibly in even modest acceleration, and 6-speed automatic transmission's frequent downshifts means engine roars more often than with CVT.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.7 |
Fine suppression of wind, road noise. AWD test versions' powertrain whined audibly in even modest acceleration, and 6-speed automatic transmission's frequent downshifts means engine roars more often than with CVT.
Controls
Five Hundred, Montego share basic dashboard layout. Gauges clearly marked, unobstructed, though some testers say electronic display for audio, climate, vehicle-information settings not easy to read. Some audio/climate controls mounted too low, requiring long look from road to adjust. Little difference in interior materials quality between Five Hundred, Montego. Some testers complain that stalks for windshield wipers, turn signals are too far from steering wheel.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Five Hundred, Montego share basic dashboard layout. Gauges clearly marked, unobstructed, though some testers say electronic display for audio, climate, vehicle-information settings not easy to read. Some audio/climate controls mounted too low, requiring long look from road to adjust. Little difference in interior materials quality between Five Hundred, Montego. Some testers complain that stalks for windshield wipers, turn signals are too far from steering wheel.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Commanding driving position aided by standard height-adjustable seat, low cowl, tall windows. Head room ample, leg room fine, though tallest drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortably supportive; high mounting eases entry/exit. Visibility unusually good to rear corners.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 7.6 |
Commanding driving position aided by standard height-adjustable seat, low cowl, tall windows. Head room ample, leg room fine, though tallest drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortably supportive; high mounting eases entry/exit. Visibility unusually good to rear corners.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Sofa-high seating with limousinelike leg room, generous head room. Three adults fit shoulder to shoulder. Easy ingress/egress.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 6.5 |
Sofa-high seating with limousinelike leg room, generous head room. Three adults fit shoulder to shoulder. Easy ingress/egress.
Cargo Room
Voluminous trunk can hold eight full-size golf bags. Strut-type trunklid hinges don't rob space or threaten cargo. Rear seats fold, but pass-through restricted at bottom by angled side supports. SEL/Limited and all Montegos include fold-flat front-passenger seat that's handy for hauling long items. Covered dashtop bin handy, but interior storage nothing special.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.6 |
Voluminous trunk can hold eight full-size golf bags. Strut-type trunklid hinges don't rob space or threaten cargo. Rear seats fold, but pass-through restricted at bottom by angled side supports. SEL/Limited and all Montegos include fold-flat front-passenger seat that's handy for hauling long items. Covered dashtop bin handy, but interior storage nothing special.
Value within Class
The Five Hundred and Montego earn our Recommended label for their generous passenger and cargo space, take-charge driving position, and great visibility. They're also on par with most rivals for acceleration and road manners. Available all-wheel drive is a class plus. The transmissions have their quirks, but Ford trusts they'll be accepted by consumers and prove to be reliable.
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 6.6 |
The Five Hundred and Montego earn our Recommended label for their generous passenger and cargo space, take-charge driving position, and great visibility. They're also on par with most rivals for acceleration and road manners. Available all-wheel drive is a class plus. The transmissions have their quirks, but Ford trusts they'll be accepted by consumers and prove to be reliable.
Total Score
| FWD SE | FWD SEL | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 69 | 69 | 69 | 61.8 |
Scores for all Large Cars
| Low Score | 54 | |
| Average Score | 61 | |
| High Score | 71 |
2005 Ford Five Hundred Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/06/2005
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| SE 4-door sedan | $22,165 | $20,399 | $675 |
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| AWD SE 4-door sedan | $23,965 | $22,019 | $675 |
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| SEL 4-door sedan | $24,165 | $22,199 | $675 |
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| AWD SEL 4-door sedan | $25,965 | $23,819 | $675 |
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| Limited 4-door sedan | $26,290 | $24,111 | $675 |
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| AWD Limited 4-door sedan | $28,090 | $25,731 | $675 |
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
SE
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, 215/60R17 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.
SEL adds to SE:
Powertrain
6-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, 8-way power driver seat, 2-way power fold-flat passenger seat, heated power mirrors, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Limited adds to SEL:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 4-way power passenger seat, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), upgraded sound system, analog clock.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
225/55R18 tires, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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Safety and Security Pkg.
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SE
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$795
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$708
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Front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover sensor, heated power mirrors, perimeter lighting, alarm.
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Safety Pkg.
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SEL, Limited
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$595
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$530
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Front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover sensor.
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Safety |
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Rear-obstacle-detection system
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SEL, Limited
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$250
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$223
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Power sunroof
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SEL, Limited
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$895
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$797
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Leather upholstery
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SEL
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$895
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$797
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Power-adjustable pedals w/memory
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Limited
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$175
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$156
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Universal garage-door opener
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Limited
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$115
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$102
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2005 Ford Five Hundred Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Ford Five Hundred 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 112.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 200.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 74.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 61.5 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3664 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 21.2 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.3 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.7 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 41.3 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.0 /182 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 203 @ 5750 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 207 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 6-speed automatic | 21/29 |
| CVT automatic | 20/27 |
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 Five Hundred 4-door sedan |
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 |
| 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:
USA
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
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Tester's Comments
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Major Options: Safety Pkg. (Side Air Curtain, Driver/Passenger Side Air Bag), Traction Control, Reverse Sensing System Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 18.25 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Kirk Bell The Five-Hundred is an excellent rethinking of the family car. Spacious, comfortable, smooth, and without an ounce of passion, it is perfect for families who still want a car instead of a minivan or SUV. There's no sports sedan aspirations here, but this is a solid, modern vehicle that definitely deserves our Recommended tag. I can see it as a Best Buy when Ford installs its forthcoming 3.5 V6. Mark Bilek Regardless of trim or optional content, the Five Hundred is a lot of car for the money. You get cavernous room and cargo space, a comfortable ride and decent fuel economy. Ford should have offered a few more ponies under the hood, but for most, there's ample power. Hopefully, reliability of the new CVT will be better than Ford transmissions of the past, because the Five Hundred is an excellent car. Rick Cotta A great family sedan value. I'd vote it a Best Buy if the CVT proves reliable. Tom Appel Big, quiet, and composed. This is what American cars once were--without the float and wallow. This is a dad car, and a nice one at that. |
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Also in the 2005 Ford Five Hundred Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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