Background: Every automobile manufacturer tries to carve a niche for their product. Some vehicles appeal to an active audience while others target affordability. Ford's full-size, Crown Victoria four-door sedan continues popular with empty nesters over 50 years of age who value gobs of interior and trunk room. Crown Vic, and its corporate cousin, Mercury's Grand Marquis, include six-seating comfort and one of the deepest trunks you'll find anywhere. Both the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis are the only rear-wheel drive sedans sold by Detroit's Big Three domestic automakers. General Motors abandoned the rear-wheel drive sedan market a couple of years ago when it dropped the Chevrolet Caprice to free up assembly plant capacity to build more popular and profitable sport utility vehicles. But many people prefer the performance characteristics of rear-wheel drive. It offers better balance since many drivetrain components are located in the rear while the engine remains up front. Better balance translates to a smoother ride and better handling response. In fact, most police cars and many taxi cabs bear the Crown Victoria name due to street demands and its generous interior volume. Ford Motor Co. estimates 85 percent of police pursuit vehicles in the United States and Canada are Crown Vics. The Crown Victoria name has been part of Ford in one form or another for more than 50 years. The "Victoria" name was used briefly in the 1930s and was revived in the mid 1950s. In 1979, Crown Victoria was summoned again, this time as the name of a new top-of-the-line sedan replacing the Ford LTD nameplate.
New for 1988: The 1998 Crown Victoria started arriving in showrooms last December with a new rear and revised front suspension system and minor interior and exterior enhancements.
Trim Levels: Ford markets Crown Victoria in Base and LX editions. The upscale LX, introduced in the 1986 model year, includes more standard features such as six-way power seats, remote keyless entry and a cassette stereo. Both are manufactured in Ontario, Canada.
Price: Base models start at $21,540. Our dark blue, test-drive LX included a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $23,135. With options including the LX comfort package (digital speedometer and dashboard readouts, aluminum wheels, anti-lock brakes with traction control and leather enhancements), handling and performance package (including a bit more engine horsepower) and $605 destination charge, the bottom line was $27,345.
Engine: Crown Victoria gets its pep from a 4.6-liter, single overhead cam V-8 engine delivering 200 horsepower. Shoppers opting for the $615 handling and performance package get a horsepower boost to 215.
Safety features: Dual air bags, child-safe rear door locks and a passive anti-theft system which prevents the car from starting unless the correct key is utilized are all standard. In the unlikely event of total coolant loss from the engine compartment, Crown Victoria can be driven a short distance before total engine shutdown.
Anti-lock brakes and traction control are optional in both trim levels and are available in option packages. Remote keyless entry comes standard in LX, but is a $240 option in Base models.
Standard equipment: Air conditioning, variable-assist power steering, power windows and door locks, intermittent wipers, dual outside power mirrors, rear window defogger, cruise control and a tilt steering wheel are all standard fare.
Optional equipment: A power driver's seat, standard in LX, is a $360 option in Base models. Compact disc players are a $140 option in LX trim levels only. Automatic climate controls and a rear-view mirror compass are found in specially-grouped LX trim level option packages.
Interior: Since Crown Vic includes six-passenger seating and a transmission shifter mounted on the steering column, floor space is relatively wide open save for the transmission floor hump running front to rear. The front dashboard runs straight across with the sound system, including large preset buttons, as the centerpiece. A horizontal wood grain strip stretches the length of the dash. A small, circular digital clock is found under the stereo and above ventilation controls. A dual cup holder/ash tray combination unit slides out from under this unit. When in use, cans or cups block easy access to temperature buttons and dials. Cruise control functions operate from the steering wheel. One nice Crown Vic nuance are forward-and-back power seat buttons found on the front doors. Most cars place these functions on the sides of the seats, a much more inconvenient location for most drivers and passengers. The driver's door is also home to a circular, chrome, trunk release button. Green instrument panel back lighting is new this year. Our LX edition included the optional electronic instrument panel with green digital readouts.
Seating comfort: Six adults can sit in relative comfort inside the Crown Vic. Very few competitors can make this claim. In front, two arm rests fold up when more seat room in needed for a center passenger. The twin-seat design forms one long bench seat but each side can be moved forward or back when two passengers occupy the front. Head and leg room is very generous throughout. Crown Vic's trunk design prevents a pass-through window or fold-down seating from being effective. But backseat riders do enjoy a fold-down armrest and blower vents. Despite rather thick rear roof pillars, driver perception is good in all directions. Cloth seats come standard while leather surfaces are optional in the LX trim level.
Exterior: The very conservative-looking Crown Vic has been a four-door sedan since 1988 when Ford discontinued the two-door version. Larger 16-inch tires replace 15-inch tires that were standard last year. Larger tires greatly improve traction especially during inclement snow and ice conditions. The front grille incorporates horizontal chrome strips and a headlight-turn signal housing that wraps around to the side fenders. Taillamps also wrap around to side fenders. All four exterior door handles also incorporate a tough of chrome. The rear window is home to the radio antenna.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 114.7 inches Overall length: 212.0 inches Overall height: 56.8 inches Overall width: 78.2 inches Curb weight: 3,917 pounds
Trunk: Don't fall in. You may never get out. Crown Vic's trunk is deep...real deep It's almost an abyss. It's relatively long and includes a shelf for additional luggage storage and a home for the spare tire. Cargo volume measures an impressive 20.6 cubic feet.
Fuel economy: Low fuel prices these days are right up Crown Vic's alley. It's powerful V-8 powertrain doesn't skimp on gas. Crown Vic averages 17 miles per gallon city and 24 m.p.g. highway. The fuel tank holds 20 gallons of unleaded fuel. The circular gas-tank fuel door, found on the driver's side, does not lock but its cap is tethered by a chord to the vehicle, preventing it from inadvertently being left at the filling station.
Final thoughts: Since Chicagoland winters (which seem a distant memory now) include ice, snow and slippery conditions, think seriously about ordering traction control. This safety feature which monitors and automatically corrects wheel slippage is very effective on rear-wheel drive cars such as the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis. Larger 16-inch tires are a welcome addition to safety too. |