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2006 Ford Five Hundred Full Review
Date Published: 9/04/08
Also in the 2006 Ford Five Hundred Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
2006 Ford Five Hundred Review
Navigation and DVD entertainment systems are new options for the 2006 Five Hundred. This sedan shares its design with the Mercury Montego and Ford's Freestyle SUV. All use a platform originated by Ford-subsidiary Volvo. Five Hundred comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and offers SE, SEL, and Limited models. The only engine is a 203-hp 3.0-liter V6. The front-drive SEL and Limited have a 6-speed automatic transmission. Other models get a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with near-infinite drive ratios. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Traction control is included with AWD, optional otherwise; no antiskid system is offered. Option packages team front side airbags and curtain side airbags with rollover deployment. All models include power driver seat and split folding rear seatbacks. Leather upholstery is standard on Limited, optional for SEL. DVD entertainment is newly available for both, while a navigation system arrives as a Limited-exclusive option. Sunroof and rear obstacle detection are also available.
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 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and Toyota Avalon. At this time we have no Recommended picks.
Our Best Buys include Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and Toyota Avalon. At this time we have no Recommended picks.
News
The 2008 Five Hundred should step out in spring of '07 wearing the "three-bar" Ford-brand grille theme introduced with the midsize Fusion. Also due for '08, probably as an option, is Ford Motor Company's new 3.5-liter V6, likely to make around 250 bhp. A new-design 6-speed automatic transmission, developed with General Motors, will reportedly replace the CVT in the near future. Keep checking back with us for late word.
2006 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
Despite one of the smallest engines in this class, Five Hundred and Montego have adequate power and accelerate on par with most V6 rivals. Test AWD Five Hundred did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph, a front-drive Montego 7.9. CVT has good passing response, but can allow engine speed to race ahead of road speed, which can take getting used to. Disappointingly, 6-speed automatic frequently hunts between gears and includes neither a manual shift gate nor gear positions between Drive and Low.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.6 |
Despite one of the smallest engines in this class, Five Hundred and Montego have adequate power and accelerate on par with most V6 rivals. Test AWD Five Hundred did 7.5 sec 0-60 mph, a front-drive Montego 7.9. CVT has good passing response, but can allow engine speed to race ahead of road speed, which can take getting used to. Disappointingly, 6-speed automatic frequently hunts between gears and includes neither a manual shift gate nor gear positions between Drive and Low.
Fuel Economy
With front-drive and 6-speed automatic, test Five Hundred Limited averaged 19.0 mpg, test Montego 15.9 mpg; Montego test included gas-eating acceleration runs. Test AWD Five Hundreds and Montegos averaged 19.1 mpg. All models use regular-grade fuel.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.5 |
With front-drive and 6-speed automatic, test Five Hundred Limited averaged 19.0 mpg, test Montego 15.9 mpg; Montego test included gas-eating acceleration runs. Test AWD Five Hundreds and Montegos averaged 19.1 mpg. All models use regular-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
Despite minor variations in suspension tuning, Five Hundred and Montego are generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though sharpest bumps can jolt. Ride quality differs little with 17- vs. 18-inch tires or with front-wheel drive vs. AWD.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.7 |
Despite minor variations in suspension tuning, Five Hundred and Montego are generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though sharpest bumps can jolt. Ride quality differs little with 17- vs. 18-inch tires or with front-wheel drive vs. AWD.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Good balance in turns, with modest lean despite relatively tall body. Steering effort light at low speeds for easy parking, firms up as speed rises for accurate control. AWD Five Hundreds, Montegos furnish outstanding grip on wet or snowy surfaces; test front-drive versions not as adept in these conditions. Good brake pedal feel and stopping power.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.9 |
Good balance in turns, with modest lean despite relatively tall body. Steering effort light at low speeds for easy parking, firms up as speed rises for accurate control. AWD Five Hundreds, Montegos furnish outstanding grip on wet or snowy surfaces; test front-drive versions not as adept in these conditions. Good brake pedal feel and stopping power.
Quietness
Wind and road noise well-contained. Test AWDs with CVT suffered audible powertrain whine, even in modest acceleration. V6 a bit rowdy at high rpm, seems more noticeable with 6-speed automatic transmission's frequent shifting.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.8 |
Wind and road noise well-contained. Test AWDs with CVT suffered audible powertrain whine, even in modest acceleration. V6 a bit rowdy at high rpm, seems more noticeable with 6-speed automatic transmission's frequent shifting.
Controls
Clear, simple gauges contrast with button-filled audio and climate panels--the latter set too low for easy use while driving. And their electronic readouts can be hard to see. Navigation system absorbs, but doesn't complicate, audio controls. Steering wheel's look-alike audio and cruise-control switches take learning, too. Some testers say stalks for wipers and turn signals are too far from steering wheel. Montego, despite upscale image, differs little from Five Hundred in cabin decor. Soft-touch surfaces abound, but overall effect pleasant, not elegant.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6.5 |
Clear, simple gauges contrast with button-filled audio and climate panels--the latter set too low for easy use while driving. And their electronic readouts can be hard to see. Navigation system absorbs, but doesn't complicate, audio controls. Steering wheel's look-alike audio and cruise-control switches take learning, too. Some testers say stalks for wipers and turn signals are too far from steering wheel. Montego, despite upscale image, differs little from Five Hundred in cabin decor. Soft-touch surfaces abound, but overall effect pleasant, not elegant.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Driving position higher than in other cars. Combines with low dashtop, tall windows for outstanding outward visibility. Head room ample, leg room fine, though taller occupants may wish for more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortably supportive; high positioning eases entry/exit.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7.8 |
Driving position higher than in other cars. Combines with low dashtop, tall windows for outstanding outward visibility. Head room ample, leg room fine, though taller occupants may wish for more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortably supportive; high positioning eases entry/exit.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Sofa-high seating with near-limousine leg room, generous head room. Three adults fit shoulder-to-shoulder. Easy ingress/egress.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7.1 |
Sofa-high seating with near-limousine 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. Five Hundred SELs, Limiteds, and all Montegos include fold-flat front-passenger seat, handy for hauling long items. Covered dashtop bin handy, but interior storage nothing special.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
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. Five Hundred SELs, Limiteds, and all Montegos include fold-flat front-passenger seat, handy for hauling long items. Covered dashtop bin handy, but interior storage nothing special.
Value within Class
Five Hundred and the similar Mercury Montego earn Best Buy status for their generous passenger space and cargo room, take-charge driving stance, good road manners, and available all-wheel drive. Engine choice is limited to a single V6, but it has adequate power for this duty. And while the transmissions have some quirks, they're not deal-breakers.
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7.1 |
Five Hundred and the similar Mercury Montego earn Best Buy status for their generous passenger space and cargo room, take-charge driving stance, good road manners, and available all-wheel drive. Engine choice is limited to a single V6, but it has adequate power for this duty. And while the transmissions have some quirks, they're not deal-breakers.
Total Score
| SE | SEL | Limited w/nav. sys. | AWD Limited | Class Average |
| 69 | 69 | 67 | 69 | 63.8 |
Scores for all Large Cars
| Low Score | 56 | |
| Average Score | 63 | |
| High Score | 70 |
2006 Ford Five Hundred Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/27/2006
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| SE 4-door sedan | $22,230 | $20,507 | $700 |
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| AWD SE 4-door sedan | $24,080 | $22,172 | $700 |
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| SEL 4-door sedan | $24,230 | $22,307 | $700 |
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| AWD SEL 4-door sedan | $26,080 | $23,972 | $700 |
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| Limited 4-door sedan | $26,380 | $24,242 | $700 |
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| AWD Limited 4-door sedan | $28,230 | $25,907 | $700 |
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).
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, traction control.
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), traction control.
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), traction control.
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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$692
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Front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment, 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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$518
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Front side airbags, curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment.
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Powertrain |
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Traction control
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Limited, SE, SEL
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$195
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$170
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Std. AWD.
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Safety |
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Rear-obstacle-detection system
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SEL, Limited
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$295
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$257
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Navigation system
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Limited
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$1,995
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$1,736
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DVD entertainment system
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SEL, Limited
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$995
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$866
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NA w/power sunroof.
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Power sunroof
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SEL, Limited
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$895
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$779
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Leather upholstery
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SEL
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$895
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$779
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Power-adjustable pedals
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SEL
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$155
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$135
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Power-adjustable pedals w/memory
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Limited
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$195
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$170
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Universal garage door opener
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Limited
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$150
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$131
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2006 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. | 60.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3649 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 21.2 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 41.9 |
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 components. |
| 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: Universal Garage Door Opener, Safety Package (side air curtain, driver/passenger side air bag), Traction Control, CD Navigation System, Reverse Sensing System, Memory Adjustable Pedals, Family Entertainment Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 19.09 mpg (what's this?) Problems During Test: None From The Back Seat Mark Bilek Though the Five Hundred is an exceptional family sedan in the traditional "big" American mold, this isn't the model I'd select. I'd recommend the SE with the CVT and select a few options. The 6-speed automatic hunts between gears too much and isn't as economical as the CVT. Rick Cotta There's little question in my mind that the Five Hundred is the best large-car value out there. If you don't require the Chrysler 300C's V8 power (along with its higher price and poor gas mileage), the Five Hundred lags only the more-expensive Toyota Avalon for spacious, luxurious accommodations, and more than makes up for it with available AWD--which in most cases, I'd recommend. Tom Appel Five-Hundred is the Anti-Lucerne. A wonderful big car would have the Lucerne's V8 drivetrain and interior, and the Five-Hundred's steering, handling, and brakes. If I had to pick, I'd take the Five-Hundred and live with the noise. |
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Also in the 2006 Ford Five Hundred Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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