2005 Ford Five Hundred

The Five Hundred is a front-wheel-drive car with available all-wheel drive "inspired" by a proven Volvo system. It uses an electronically controlled, electro-hydraulic Haldex limited-slip viscous coupling just ahead of the rear differential to transfer torque to the rear wheels whenever the fronts begin to slip. Electronic controls gather information from the anti-lock brakes and other sensors to enable it to react within 50 milliseconds, much faster than competitive viscous devices.


Available traction control (standard with AWD) uses selective braking to provide similar torque transfer side-to-side. AWD models also have self-leveling rear shocks to maintain correct ride height regardless of load. Dual-piston aluminum front calipers and large rotors front and rear provide strong, fade-free braking, while the fully independent suspension, stiff body structure and precise rack-and-pinion steering give supple ride with surprising handling.

Legroom is best-in-class front and rear, while the trunk is biggest in class.

Ford (proudly) admits that Volvo contributed significantly to the Five Hundred's state-of-the-art safety technology. For starters, the "Volvo-inspired" platform offers class-leading stiffness with relatively soft crush zones designed into impact areas. When equipped with Ford's Safety Canopy and side airbags, Five Hundred should earn top crash test ratings.


Frontal impact energy is absorbed by the frame rails, which employ an innovative (patent pending) bumper plate design, while excess energy is transferred around the passenger compartment into a high-strength safety cage. Front-impact performance also meets the revised Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 requiring the restraint system to automatically adjust to the front-seat passenger. The airbag controller uses occupant classification sensing to determine whether the seat is occupied and whether a passenger is an adult, child or child in a safety seat-and adjusts airbag deployment accordingly. Another patent-pending feature tailors the steering column's collapse to the driver's size and belt use.


Rear-impact performance is designed to meet proposed future crash standards, while side protection is a particular strength thanks to the combination of Ford's industry-leading Safety Canopy airbag technology and structural features that help safeguard occupants from intrusion by channeling crash energy away from the passenger compartment. An innovative cross-car beam reinforces the structure between the B-pillars and helps direct energy away from passengers to an engineered failure point under the console. Because the front seats are mounted atop this beam, second-row passengers get the bonus of airliner-style foot room.