2003 Ford Crown Victoria Review

It used to be that the family trip to grandmother's house for Christmas was taken in a full-size, rear-drive sedan or station wagon.

But virtually all American cars went to front-drive in the 1980s. For 2003, the revamped Ford Crown Victoria is one of few full-size American family sedans with traditional body-on-frame construction and rear-wheel drive.

No large rear-drive U.S. wagons exist because they've been replaced by light trucks such as minivans and sport-utility vehicles.

But the rear-drive car situation will change in the not-distant future because American automakers have more rear-drive models in the wings.

A rear-drive layout--common with upscale European automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz--gives a car better weight distribution and balance. That's because all drivetrain components aren't jammed under the hood, causing it to be nose-heavy.

Better balance means sharper, more stable handling. And rear-drive cars are far more stable than they once were on slippery roads, thanks to new stability and traction control systems. Those systems largely prevent rear-wheel slippage, which once was common with rear-drive cars on such roads.

The "Crown Vic'' offers a $175 all-speed traction control system, which uses throttle intervention and its anti-lock brake system to manage wheel spin. It's a must for Chicago area drivers, and really should be standard.

Also for better stability, electronic brake force distribution has been added to the Crown Victoria's standard all-disc anti-lock brake system to dynamically proportion braking forces front to rear.

And a new brake booster with emergency assist automatically supplies full braking power even if a driver doesn't initially apply sufficient pedal pressure to engage the anti-lock system--a common driver fault that defeats the purpose of that system.

The Crown Victoria comes as the $23,575 Standard model, and also as the mid-range $27,610 LX and sporty top-line $29,475 LX Sport.

Other key improvements to the 2003 Crown Victoria include variable ratio, speed sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. The steering is more precise than the old recirculating-ball steering, although it feels a little stiff. At least the old dead steering feel is gone.

The new Crown Victoria also has a stiffer new frame, with hydroformed front rails. It enhances ride and handling because it lets the suspension do a better job. And it limits transmission of noise, vibration and harshness into the body structure, making this quiet car even quieter.

There's also a redesigned front suspension and revised suspension geometry for improved "tracking'' at highway speeds and more control during cornering and on rough roads. Rear shock absorbers are mounted outboard of frame rails, which lets them better manage the solid rear axle. Load-leveling air springs are offered.

There's good room for four tall adults in the interior, which has high-grade materials but seats that provide little lateral support. Sound system controls are set too far away for an easy reach by a driver, although higher-line models have redundant steering-wheel audio and climate controls. There are plenty of cupholders and interior storage areas. But the "fasten-seat-belt'' warning chimes will drive you crazy because they won't stop until you fasten belts. A limited number of chimes will do, thank you very much.

The trunk is large and has a fairly low, wide opening. But the full-size spare tire, which sits on a rear shelf, eats cargo space.

New safety features include $255 front side air bags for the LX and LX Sport. Headlights now automatically go on when the windshield wipers are activated.

This 4,057-pound Ford has a solid feel. At 212 inches, it's longer than most luxury cars.

The LX Sport is visually distinguished by an attractive monochromatic exterior, but its beauty is more than skin-deep. For instance, it has a firmer suspension with 17-inch wheels and wider 55-series tires, which sharpen steering, ride, handling and braking. This sport suspension doesn't affect ride comfort much.

The LX Sport also has a 239-horsepower, dual-exhaust version of the standard 4.6-liter V-8--along with a performance axle ratio for fast acceleration. There also are a console-mounted shifter, power front bucket seats, leather upholstery and standard rear air suspension.

The other models have a 224-horsepower version of the smooth overhead-camshaft V-8 and fairly wide 60-series tires on 16-inch wheels for good acceleration and decent handling.

The LX can be had with a $615 Handling and Performance package that includes the 239-horsepower engine and most items found in the LX Sport.

Both versions of the V-8 work with a four-speed automatic transmission and deliver an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.

Even the base model is well-equipped, with many comfort and convenience items. The LX adds such things as automatic climate control and power adjustable pedals, which are $120 for the base model.

If it weren't for marketing strategies, Ford probably would call the Crown Victoria a "near luxury'' car. As it is, the automaker is content to call it just a full-size family sedan. That's probably because there are only about half a dozen cars in the full-size family sedan market, whereas there are dozens of near-luxury models.

The fact that the Crown Victoria is widely used as a police car and taxicab also partially keeps it out of the near-luxury class--although that fact speaks well for its practicality. As any driver to grandmother's house in one of those old sedans or wagons would have told you, practicality is a definite plus in a family car.


2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
Prices:
$23,575-$29,475

Likes:
One of few traditional big American rear-drive sedans. Upgrades in ride, handling, comfort and safety.
Dislikes:
Seats lack lateral support. Long reach to dashboard radio controls. Maddening seat-belt warning bell.