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But enough whining about the engine. The engineering behind the 2005 Ford Five Hundred includes an all-wheel drive system that's found in the S80. The system employs electronically controlled sensors to distribute power, and the difference in effective all-wheel drive application when compared to mechanical setups is clear. The electronic sensors work by gathering information from, among other things, the Five Hundred's anti-lock braking system. This enables the all-wheel drive to react more quickly. When all-wheel drive is not needed, the Five Hundred operates in front-wheel drive. For most buyers, all-wheel drive is not a critical buy-in. But it's nice to have, and, when needed, can provide a boost to safety and security.
Trim Choices
Of course, not all 2005 Ford Five Hundreds get the all-wheel drive feature. Standard features on all Five Hundreds include a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, folding power side mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, one-touch automatic driver's window (up and down), premium AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD, driver's manual lumbar, traction control, electronic speed control and tilt steering column - so it's fair to say that all Five Hundreds come well-equipped. Options include all-wheel drive, power-adjustable pedals with memory, leather seats, power moonroof, reverse sensing system side-impact airbags with rollover air safety canopy. Trim levels start with the base SE, and go to the mid-level SEL, which adds appearance features, dual-zone air conditioning, an electronic message center, a premium sound system and leather-wrap for the steering wheel and shift knob. The top level Limited includes a painted grille and an Audiophile sound system, heated exterior mirrors, leather seating surfaces and heated front seats. All 2005 Ford Five Hundreds get a broad swath of safety equipment and technology built into the vehicle's architecture. In frontal impacts, energy is expected to be absorbed by the frame rails and bumper plate design. Additional energy is transferred into a high-strength safety cage. According to Ford, this patent-pending design tailors the steering column's collapse to the driver's size and safety-belt use. Ford claims that rear-impact performance is designed to meet proposed future federal crash standards. Independent crash testing will prove whether the 2005 Ford Five Hundred is as safe as the company claims. Considering the improvement in 2004 Ford F-150 scores from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, and considering that the Five Hundred's frame is based on the Volvo S80, it's a virtual fact that Ford is utilizing their safety knowledge base to significantly enhance and improve safety for their vehicles - including the Five Hundred. Safety equipment offered in the Five Hundred includes dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, optional seat-deployed side airbags for the driver and front passenger, optional canopy side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, height-adjustable lap and shoulder belts for front outboard seating positions, three-point safety belts for all seating positions and a safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger.
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