2004 Ford Crown Victoria LX

The Ford Crown Victoria is one of America's most popular full-size rear-drive sedans (and dominates police and taxi fleets nationwide) for two big reasons. One, it's an excellent car and extremely well suited for family, fleet, cab and cop-car use. Two, it's one of only three large rear-drive sedans on the market; the other two are its (somewhat pricier) Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car "Panther" platform stablemates.


GM and DaimlerChrysler opted out of the rear-drive large sedan market years ago, although both offer some very competitive front-drivers (the bestseller is Buick's LeSabre). Most police and taxi fleet buyers, for various reasons, still prefer rear-wheel drive.

Braking includes Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), which dynamically proportions brake forces front-to-rear to compensate for conditions.

Last year, Ford's Panther platform products were much improved in function, though styling remains basically the same. Beginning with a new, stiffer frame, these improvements included significant upgrades in ride, steering, handling, comfort and safety. The frame was made 24 percent stiffer in torsional (twisting) rigidity and 20 percent stronger in resistance to vertical bending. A stiffer frame reduces transmission of noise, vibration and harshness to the body and lets the suspension work more effectively. New changes for 2004 include a revised torque converter for enhanced acceleration, upgraded overhead console design, the availability of laminated side glass and two new exterior colors: Midnight Gray and Dark Toreador Red.


Front suspension is a short/long-arm design with coil springs over monotube shocks. The steel upper and aluminum lower control arms and the suspension geometry were redesigned last year for better tracking at speed and more control during cornering and on rough surfaces. The live rear axle is located by upper and lower control arms and a lateral Watts linkage, and its motion is damped by monotube shock absorbers, newly mounted outboard of the frame rails for better control. Load-leveling air springs are available on some models.


Steering is precise with a low-friction, variable-ratio rack-and-pinion system. The power assist is speed-sensitive, providing more boost for reduced effort at low speed, less boost for improved road feel at higher speeds. Braking includes Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), which dynamically proportions brake forces front-to-rear to compensate for conditions. A dual-rate brake booster with "panic assist" automatically provides full braking power even if the driver does not apply enough initial pedal force to engage the standard ABS anti-lock system.