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The next time someone asks me about recommending an SUV I might just tell them to look the 2006 Ford Five Hundred. No, the Five Hundred is not a Sport Utility Vehicle, but rather what I call a "Sedan Utility Vehicle" complete with the features people look for in the first place. Let's look at some of the reasons people buy Sport Utility Vehicles. While the SUV fad developed from off-road vehicles most will never let their $40,000 mom-mobile anywhere near the mud. They do however find security in knowing that a four-wheel drive vehicle can gain traction during bad weather. The 2006 Ford Five Hundred offers one of the most stable and sophisticated all wheel-drive platforms available. Adapting famed Volvo technology, the Five Hundred with traction control offers complete confidence without the poor fuel economy of a gas guzzling SUV. As cars continue to shed unhealthy pounds, many people buy into the illusion that large truck based sport utility vehicles are safe. Yet maneuverable cars will always be more stable in panic situations because they are not top heavy. This inherent control advantage is important for those who see avoiding an accident just as important as surviving a crash. However if you are going to have a crash, the 2006 Ford Five Hundred could be the safest vehicle on the road for less than $23,000. Even without the optional side air bags the Ford Five Hundred was awarded "Best Pick" designation from IIHS and NHTSA's top five-star crash-test rating for front- and side-impacts. No SUV even qualified. Of course many people like the utility that an SUV offers. And yes, having an oversized station wagon back end is convenient for bringing home that big-screen TV, but the Ford Five Hundred has a few tricks up it's sleeve as well. Not only does the back seat flip down but also the front passenger seatback folds forward, opening up truck like storage capacity. The prom date sized back seat is enormous and rivals the comfort of much more expensive vehicles. There are two areas where the 2006 Ford Five Hundred does not compete with the SUV. With estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway the All-Wheel-Drive Ford Five Hundred simply cannot consume as much fuel as a typical SUV. While you can play for under $23,000, my completely loaded 2006 Ford Five Hundred AWD Limited carried a MSRP of only $32,980. So you will not get to spend as much money to purchase or operate the Ford Five Hundred as you would with a typical SUV. Many families like to travel in a larger vehicle and the 2006 Ford Five Hundred is the perfect solution. My heated leather seats were sofa soft and the quiet confident ride was exceptional. Equipped with the optional Family Entertainment System this is the first sedan I have seen with a factory installed DVD Player for back seat passengers fully integrated into the outstanding audio system. New for 2006, the available navigation system is the best that Ford has offered in any of its vehicles. Now in the second model year the 2006 Ford Five Hundred is more than just a Taurus replacement. Ford essentially split the Taurus market with two replacement models rather than just one. The Ford Fusion, slightly smaller in stature may be the real Taurus replacement while the Ford Five Hundred creates an entirely new market between the aging Taurus and the Crown Victoria. That's why I call this the Sedan Utility Vehicle. Limitations of the 2006 Ford Five Hundred are few. This will not tow a boat like the Ford Explorer nor can you squeeze in seven passengers. There is little sport in the Ford Five Hundred and I would like some more power even though I know fuel economy might suffer. But for a luxurious quite ride the Ford Five Hundred is a winner. It remains to be seen if drivers of Sport Utility Vehicles will once again turn to a more sensible four-door sedan but if any vehicle is ready for the challenge the 2006 Ford Five Hundred is up to the task.
2006 Ford Five Hundred Limited. 3.0 Liter V6 203 horsepower 207 lb ft torque
$32,980.00 MSRP as driven 19/26 MPG Additional Web only Information and Resources For Additional Reviews: |
©2006 - Stan Risener