2004 Ford Crown Victoria Overview

Introduction

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.Read full review