Ford Crown Victoria Overview

Though they were what most people drove in the 1950s and 1960s, full-size cars like the Ford Crown Victoria are now an anomaly. But Ford's biggest sedan still offers significant virtues, including affordable V8 performance and room for six people (if configured with a three-abreast front bench seat).

Today, the Crown Victoria's passenger and cargo volumes compare favorably against fashionable SUVs. Its low seat height doesn't afford a truck's elevated perspective of the road, but sliding into the Crown Vic is as effortless as settling into your favorite armchair. This lowness also pays a noticeable dividend in ride quality, avoiding the hobbyhorse head tossing of a truck or SUV.

The Crown Victoria is popular with a lot of people for its impressive safety ratings, easy entry/exit, big windows, pleasant ride quality, quiet interior, confusion-free controls, and optional power-adjustable pedals. Ford sells nearly 80,000 Crown Vics a year.

Ford substantially updated the Crown Victoria for 2003. A stiffer chassis provided front frame sections designed to better absorb crash energy. Handling precision was improved, thanks to more precise rack-and-pinion steering and an extensive redesign of the front and rear suspensions. For 2004, Ford has made changes to the transmission for better acceleration, and re-thought the layout of the optional overhead console. Laminated door glass is now available for even more quiet and security.