The Rational Revolution
In 2005, Ford faced a dilemma. The legendary Taurus had become a fleet-queen relic, and the Crown Victoria was ancient. Drivers were abandoning sedans for SUVs like the Explorer solely for the seating position and space. Fordâs answer was the Ford Five Hundred. It was not designed to be sexy; it was designed to be the most logical vehicle on the road. By borrowing the chassis from their subsidiary, Volvo, Ford created a sedan that was safe, massive inside, and rode 4 inches higher than a standard car.
When you browse the Five Hundred listings on Hugegarage, you are looking at one of the best value-for-money used cars in America. It offers the rear legroom of a limousine and a trunk that can swallow eight golf bags, all for a fraction of the price of a Toyota Avalon. It is the thinking personâs full-size sedan.
The Command Seating Philosophy: The defining feature of the Five Hundred is its H-point (Hip Point). The seats are mounted high off the floor, allowing the driver to sit upright with a commanding view of the road, similar to a crossover. This design minimizes the physical effort required to enter and exit the vehicle, making it a favorite among older drivers or those with mobility issues.
Engineering: The Swedish Connection
Under the conservative sheet metal lies a Volvo S80. The Five Hundred is built on the Ford D3 Platform, which is a derivative of the Volvo P2 architecture.
Why does this matter?
1. Safety: It utilizes Volvoâs Safety Cage construction and energy-absorbing crumple zones, making it one of the safest cars of its era (earning top crash test ratings).
2. AWD System: It uses a Haldex AWD system directly lifted from the Volvo XC90. This system monitors wheel slip and sends torque to the rear wheels in milliseconds, providing excellent all-weather traction.
Powertrain: The Weak Link?
If the Five Hundred had a flaw, it was under the hood. To protect the sales of the V8 Crown Victoria, Ford only offered one engine.
- 3.0L Duratec V6
- Specs: 203 HP / 207 lb-ft Torque.
The Reality: This engine was adequate for the smaller Taurus, but in the heavy Five Hundred (nearly 4,000 lbs with AWD), it felt strained. 0-60 MPH took nearly 8 seconds. Passing on the highway requires patience and high RPMs.
A Tale of Two Transmissions
Depending on the drivetrain, the driving experience changes drastically.
- 6-Speed Automatic (Aisin F21): Standard on Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) models. A traditional, reliable geared automatic. It shifts smoothly and fits the carâs cruiser personality.
- CVT (ZF CFT30): Standard on All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models. This Continuously Variable Transmission uses a chain rather than a belt for durability. While efficient, it creates a rubber band sensation where the engine RPM stays high during acceleration. Many American drivers disliked the lack of shift points.
Interior Cargo: The Space King
The interior packaging is nothing short of miraculous.
Trunk Space: 21.2 cubic feet. This is larger than the trunk of a Mercedes S-Class or a Lincoln Town Car. You can fit four full-size suitcases and still have room for a stroller.
Fold-Flat Passenger Seat: The front passenger seat folds flat forward. Combined with the folding rear seats, this allows you to carry items up to 10 feet long inside the car (like a ladder or surfboard) with the trunk closed.
The Name Game: From Five Hundred to Taurus
The Five Hundred nameplate only lasted from 2005 to 2007.
Why? New CEO Alan Mulally arrived at Ford and asked, Why did we kill the Taurus name? Itâs a billion-dollar brand.
In 2008, the Five Hundred received a facelift (new grille), a much-needed 3.5L engine (263 HP), and was renamed the Ford Taurus. So, a 2008 Taurus is mechanically a Five Hundred Gen 2.
Common Issues Maintenance
1. Throttle Body Failure
The electronic throttle body on the 3.0L Duratec is prone to internal sensor failure.
Symptoms: The car goes into Limp Mode (wrench light on dash) and loses power.
Fix: Replace the entire throttle body unit. It is a relatively easy DIY job.
2. CVT Issues (AWD Models)
The CFT30 CVT is generally robust due to its chain design, but fluid changes are critical. If the fluid is neglected, the valve body can clog, leading to shuddering. Parts for this specific transmission are becoming harder to find.
3. Rear Shock Mounts
A clunking noise from the rear over bumps usually indicates the upper shock mounts have disintegrated. Because the suspension is stiff (Volvo-tuned), it puts stress on these rubber mounts.
4. AC Compressor Clutch
The air conditioning compressor clutch gap can widen over time, preventing the AC from engaging when the engine gets hot. A shim kit can often fix this without replacing the compressor.
Conclusion: The Practical Unicorn
The Ford Five Hundred is the automotive equivalent of comfortable shoes. It isn't flashy, and it won't turn heads. But it does everything a family car should doâprotects you, carries your stuff, and creates a calm environmentâbetter than almost anything else in its price bracket. For teen drivers, the combination of top-tier safety ratings, sluggish acceleration (a safety feature in disguise), and AWD security makes it arguably the perfect first car. It is a lot of car for the money. Explore the dimensions below.