Ford Five Hundred debuted as the company’s flagship five passenger sedan in 2005, replacing the Taurus as the company’s nameplate sedan. Bigger and more sumptuous than the Taurus, the Five Hundred has quickly become a popular, large, 4-door sedan with elevated seating that provides what Ford describes as “SUV-like Command Seating” that elevates occupants 4 inches higher than most midsize sedans.

Available in three trims, base SE, midlevel SEL or top-of-the-line Limited, Ford Five Hundreds use either a six -speed automatic transmission with a venerable 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 engine or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that allows the transmission to vary drive ratios instead of using a conventional automatic’s preset ratios, which makes acceleration smoother and assists in reducing gasoline consumption.

Changes for 2006 are minor. Two were the ability to add an optional Family Entertainment System ($995) and a Navigation System ($1,995) to our test drive Limited All Wheel Drive. The entertainment system functioned well and Ford’s improved navigation system is now easier to understand, use and adjust to individual routing preferences. One quirk that can be irritating is the navigation voice instructions cannot be muted (or if they can, it isn’t shown how in the owner’s manuals). The navigation commands interrupt the radio or CD.

The Limited’s all-wheel drive helps with control on wet pavement and in turns. There is slight lean in the turns but the 500 comes with solid safety features, including a Safety Canopy for both rows of seats that uses a rollover sensor to trigger side curtain air bags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it a “Best Pick” in frontal crashes, due partially to a steering column that collapses in a crash based on the driver’s size and belt use and a reinforcing cross-bar beam under the front seats. The suspension handles uneven pavement evenly, with self adjusting shocks.

Many Ford 500 platform features are shared with the Mercury Montego sedan and the Ford Freestyle SUV. Spaciousness abounds with the trunk capable of holding eight golf bags, front passenger and rear seats folding forward (but not flat) and leg room for all occupants that Ford claims is best-in-class. Neat features are standard 18-inch wheels on the Limited, a covered tray on the dashboard, and a number code entry key-pad. Audio and climate controls are easy to reach and use. The steering wheel has push-button controls - cruise, audio and information.