Technical

The only engine available is the tried and true 24v 3.0L Duratec V6. It has been around since 1996, introduced with that year's new generation of the Taurus and it is now used in different iterations in the Ford Escape,Taurus and Freestyle as well as in Mazda's MPV, Tribute and 6. It develops 203 hp at 5 750 rpm and 207 lb/ft of torque at 4 500 rpm. There are two transmissions available. The first is a conventional 6-speed automatic and the other, only available with the all-wheel-drive set up, is a CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission. All Five-Hundreds get 17" alloy wheels standard. The Limited versions are shod with polished aluminium 18" wheels.

On the road

The saving grace of this car is its ride. It is stiffer than the average Taurus and Grand Marquis and better controlled. The Taurus is already a good handler but the Five-Hundred is a good number of notches above it. The fact that the Five Hundred has the modified Volvo platform probably has much to do with this. Road bumps are easily handled and the damping is well adjusted. The proof is that despite its big-car dimensions, the Ford's overall behaviour is almost spotless. A few seemingly unavoidable dash rattles were heard during the test.

The 4-wheel disc brake do a proper job on bringing the big Ford to a stop but pedal travel is a little long and it provides little or no feedback. Steering is a little short on feedback but it is far from being unpleasant.

Power from the V6 is adequate although it is no match for just about any other real competitor in its category. At over 1 700 kg, this small V6, by comparison, digs really deep in its torque reserves to get the heavy car up to highway speeds and especially in passing manoeuvres. The CVT is responsive and, as is the case for all of these transmissions, is butter smooth in its operation.

Safety

The Five-Hundred has standard dual front air bags, optional side and roof mounted air bags, ABS brakes, traction control and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car 5 out of 5 stars (a perfect result) for a frontal impact for both front passengers and 5 out of 5 stars for lateral impacts. The IIHS has not yet rated the Five-Hundred.

Conclusion

The Five-Hundred is devoid of real character. This is where it really looses out compared to the Chrysler 300. To add insult to injury, the Mercury Montego, only available in the United States as stated earlier, is actually better looking (nicer front and rear-end treatments) and has a better-appointed interior than the Five Hundred. With competitors like the aforementioned 300, the Nissan Altima and, to a lesser extent, the Mazda 6, the Ford has got its work cut out for it.