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Road Test: Comparison Test
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2005 Full-Size Sedan Comparison Test
Introduction
By
Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor , Edmunds.com
Date posted: 03-28-2005
When it arrived last spring, the stylish 2005 Chrysler 300 single-handedly woke the collective car market from an SUV stupor. It changed the way people think about full-size sedans, which for years had been written off as fuddy-duddy transportation for the geriatric crowd.
Turns out cars with modern mechanicals, upscale amenities and fresh styling make great cars for people under 50. Especially if they've got a killer commute or a family of 6-footers.
But the 300 is no longer the only game in town. Noting the excitement in the air, Ford wasted little time in rolling out its all-new, but classically named Five Hundred, while Toyota readied a completely redesigned Avalon for the second half of 2005. Meanwhile, Buick quietly introduced the LaCrosse, its most palatable sedan in years.
To help you decide which one deserves a spot in your driveway, we traveled hundreds of miles in each, hauling our friends and families around against their wills, all in the name of research. Then we took the sedans to the test track and gave their engines, suspensions and brakes a real workout.
Standard Fare
Torquey V6s are the standard of this sedan crowd, as is front-wheel drive, although the Chrysler shakes things up with its rear-drive layout. Leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and heated seats can be found in every one of these sedans. And of course there's plenty of wood trim — sometimes real, sometimes not. Safety features go beyond the basics; stability control and a full menu of side airbags are expected, at least as options.
2005 Buick LaCrosse CXS
The most civilized sedan in the Buick lineup, the LaCrosse is lined with soft leather and powered by an overhead-cam V6 in CXS form. It's also a quiet car and it's as smooth as they come on the highway.
Unfortunately, the LaCrosse rides on an old platform and no amount of tuning updates can hide that on back roads. Slow reflexes give the car an elderly persona, and forgettable exterior styling drives that point home. The Buick also had the smallest backseat of the group, with barely adequate legroom for taller occupants. Yet, it was the second most expensive car in the test with a $33,650 price tag.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Limited
Based on a platform shared with Volvo, the Five Hundred is the longest sedan in the group and, accordingly, offers a spacious cabin and one of the world's largest trunks (21 cubic feet). A tall seating position provides excellent visibility and easy entry. And eight cupholders and a folding front-passenger seat assure maximum functionality. Plus, the Ford came to us in fully loaded Limited form with a sticker of just $27,930.
The Volvo genes pay off, too, as the Ford is smooth-riding on the highway and surprisingly agile in the corners. The drivetrain, however, is a letdown. Ford's 3.0-liter Duratec V6 and an unrefined six-speed automatic team up for a performance that ranges from adequate to lethargic.
2005 Chrysler 300 Limited
The only rear-wheel-drive sedan in the group, the 300 is the only real athlete. Even with just a V6 under its hood (a Hemi V8 is optional), it wants to do things quickly, responding eagerly off the line and in the corners. The Chrysler weighs more than the others, but Mercedes-designed suspension bits manage the extra pounds without sacrificing ride comfort.
Style is the 300's other major asset. Its classic yet modern body lines get plenty of second looks wherever it goes. Too bad the car's ultrahigh beltline compromises the view from the cockpit. The sharp styling continues into the cabin where you'll also find simple controls and roomy seating. You also get plenty of features for the car's $33,115 MSRP.
Weak points include a lack of stamina for climbing grades and inconsistent fit and finish.
2005 Toyota Avalon Limited
Toyota's third-generation Avalon is the honor student of this test. It can't match the 300's raw athletic talent, but it beat the Chrysler in the measurable performance categories, thanks to a new 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and one strong set of brakes. And it was the quietest car in the test with the lowest recorded decibels under full throttle and at 70 mph.
Inside, the Avalon blurs the line between Toyota and Lexus products with its top-quality materials, plush seats and long list of amenities. It also had more "real-world" space than the others, including a near-flat floor in the rear that allows three adults to sit side-by-side in comfort. At $37,928, the Avalon was the priciest full-size sedan, but less expensive trims give you most of the good stuff for thousands less.
Toyota Runs Away With It
Full-size sedans cater to buyers who want lots of room and a little of everything when it comes to performance, luxury and amenities. The perfect heavyweight sedan would feel like a luxury car but wouldn't be priced like one. Toyota's ultrarefined Avalon comes closest to fulfilling that mission. In fact, it finished with a comfortable 10-point lead over the Chrysler 300.
Although not as well-rounded, the Chrysler is our pick for enthusiast drivers, while the bargain-priced Ford is worth a look if your spending cap is low. The Buick brought up the rear because of its sloppy handling and cramped rear seat.
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