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1999 Ford Windstar SEL
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| A Minivan All-Star |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:58:06 |
| Rating |
 77 ( -12 -15.58% ) |
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Description:
1999 Ford Windstar SEL:
A Minivan All-Star
By Bruce Caldwell
Minivans are not the automotive darlings they were before the Earth was buried in a shower of SUVs, with their leather-appointed, four-wheel-drive status, but they still constitute a healthy market segment. Unfortunately, early minivans were better known for their utilitarian values rather than any car-like or luxury features. The "soccer mom" stigma didn't do much for men who fancied themselves sports car drivers, regardless of thier family status.
Things have changed greatly in the latter part of the nineties. Minivans are still practical, but they can also be comfortable and enjoyable to drive. It's easy to find highly optioned luxury minivans. Performance and handling have been significantly improved. And, as an example, a great minivan that's quite car-like, luxurious, and, dare we say, fun to drive is the 1999 Ford Windstar SEL. While not a totally new vehicle, the revamped '99 Windstar was the recipient of a substantial makeover. Ford did its homework and made significant changes.
A driver's side sliding door is available. The body shell was made much stiffer which helps the ride and contributes to the high quality, solid feel of the Windstar. The body was extensively restyled--a look we like. It's sleeker and more like a luxury station wagon than a boxy minivan. Our SEL test vehicle had very handsome 16-inch alloy wheels and P225/60R16 tires. One of the most important improvements to us was the optional 200 horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine which has a very usable 240 pound-feet of torque. Combined with the excellent 4-speed automatic transmission (it has a very convenient overdrive lockout switch on the end of the shift lever) the Windstar has very impressive acceleration.
Performance gains didn't come at the expense of emissions, we're glad to report. The '99 Windstar meets nationwide low emission vehicle (LEV) and California's strict ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards. Maybe it was our heavy foot, but we averaged about 15 mpg which was less than the EPA rating of 17/24. In addition to its excellent performance, the '99 Windstar has scored very high in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests. Front side airbags are available.
A great interior is the heart of a great minivan and the Windstar shines here. With the double side doors, second row access was outstanding. Second row leg room and comfort were like a limousine. The third row bench seat was a little tighter, but still roomy enough for large adults. There is a lot of flexibility in the layout of the seats. The rear hatch opens very high. The floor is flat and the bumper is well protected.
Everywhere you look, you'll find well-designed storage compartments, cup holders, and sunglasses, garage door opener and change holders. A couple of great kid-related features are a fold-down convex mirror (it's in the overhead console) that can be adjusted to keep track of who is fighting with who, and an optional Reverse Sensing System that helps alert the driver to objects near the rear of the Windstar when backing up. Front seat room and comfort are as good as any luxury sedan. Everything about the Windstar interior is first class.
The only downside to all the luxury features on the SEL was the $30,000 plus base price. That price was pretty inclusive because the total cost of our test vehicle was a little over $31,000.
In spite of our minivan image insecurities and unpleasant mid-eighties minivan ownership experiences, we really liked the 1999 Ford Windstar SEL. It very quickly won us over with its great performance, handsome styling, high quality, and outstanding interior.
OVERALL RATING: A
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