Used 2007 Ford Crown Victoria

If ever a vehicle exemplified the word "stalwart," Ford’s Crown Victoria is it. The six-passenger Crown Victoria has outlived all of its competitors from GM and Chrysler, and by all rights should be one foot from the grave itself. But the venerable body-on-frame sedan continues to sell at a brisk pace, bolstered by strong sales from the taxi cab and law enforcement communities, not to mention the ever-growing retiree set. With its huge trunk, V8 power and relatively good highway fuel economy, the Crown Victoria has much to offer those in need of such features. All is not assured in sales land, however, as the new Dodge Charger offers an equal amount of interior volume but with a superior chassis and the option of a HEMI V8.

The Crown Victoria’s torque-happy V8 provides smooth acceleration from any speed. Tap the throttle and the Crown Vic moves without complaint or struggle, even when fully loaded with passengers and travel gear. The steering feel is surprisingly accurate for such a large car, and the Crown Victoria tracks perfectly straight down the highway without the need for constant adjustments to the steering wheel.

You’ll find the ride is akin to floating on air – which to some degree would be accurate if you opt for the Handling Package, which includes air-spring rear suspension – and the interior sound levels are almost Town Car-quiet. The only time the Crown Victoria feels unsettled is when it encounters choppy pavement or slick roads; a byproduct of the solid rear axle.

With its split-bench front seat, the Crown Victoria can seat up to six passengers. Legroom is good both front and rear, as is headroom. Seating is comfortable and firm, but lacks good lower-back and side support. The dash is simple and straightforward, though reaching the radio and heating controls requires a bit of a stretch. Luckily, you can order steering wheel-mounted controls that operate the radio and fan speed. Although tastefully designed, the hard plastics used for the dash and door panels create a look and feel of an aging car in need of a redesign.

The Crown Victoria’s overall shape has not changed much in the last ten years, which is to say the car has a trunk almost as long as its hood and utilizes body-on-frame construction. That last point is important because it prevents Ford from adding an independent rear suspension, leaving the Crown Victoria with a solid rear axle prone to wheel hop over rough surfaces. Minor revisions to the front and rear fascias, as well as new wheel designs, keep the Crown Victoria looking as fresh as possible. A monochromatic LX Sport option looks more assertive.

Seating for Six
If you need it, the Crown Victoria can provide seating for six.

Shifter
The LX Handling and Performance package’s center console-mounted shifter adds a touch of sportiness.

The Crown Victoria includes a V8 engine, automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, 16-inch wheels and tires, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), eight-way power driver’s seat, air conditioning, power locks, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, AM/FM stereo with CD and a tilt wheel.

Options include leather seating, dual power seats, automatic climate control, power adjustable pedals, traction control, six-disc CD player, side-impact airbags, a power glass moonroof and the Handling and Performance Package that bumps horsepower up to 239 and torque to 287 pound-feet at 4100 rpm.

From the time of its inception in 1979, the Crown Victoria has always been powered by a V8 engine. The current model provides a respectable blend of power and fuel economy in a powerplant that is smooth, quiet and dependable. The flex-fuel feature permits the Crown Victoria to run on a combination of gasoline and ethanol, a technology Ford pioneered. Finally, the Crown Vic’s near-legendary durability should not be discounted, and it can be verified by literally millions of miles of extremely severe service with police agencies and taxi cab fleets.

4.6-liter V8 Flex Fuel
224 horsepower @ 4750 rpm
275 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/17 (E85), 17/25 (Gasoline)