1997 Ford Crown Victoria Review
1997 Ford Crown Victoria Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- This is the last of the big, rear-wheel drive American sedans. Comfy seating for six and cpapable handling, with the performance and handling group, and an incredibly low price make this car a winner for police departments and cross-country cruisers.
Cons
- Muddled interior ergonomics make some of the controls awkward to operate.
What’s new
After a mild facelift last year, the Crown Vic soldiers on with a few color changes, improved power steering and the addition of rear air suspension to the handling package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria S 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$235/mo for Crown Victoria S
Crown Victoria S
vs
$219/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
If you've been pinching your pennies to buy a new full-size, rear-drive American sedan, we hope you like Ford. The gang at the Blue Oval are the only ones building such cars these days. Decades old technology allows Ford to keep the prices low, and the car is a favorite among fleet buyers for taxi companies, police departments, or just those who need space and towing power who don't want a minivan or pickup truck.
This grand dame of the Ford lineup received a mild makeover last year, so changes to the 1997 model amount to the shuffling of a few packages and the changing of a few colors. Added in mid-1996, the natural gas engine remains an available, if pricey, option. Amazingly, this engine makes the Crown Victoria the cleanest burning combustion engine sold in the United States. Something to consider if you need a full-size vehicle, but don't want to tick-off your Greenpeace neighbors.
These days, the Ford Crown Vic and its Mercury Grand Marquis stablemate offer much more value than most compact and mid-size cars that are being peddled at your local auto mall. Think about this: the Crown Vic costs just over $26,000 fully loaded with electric everything and a leather interior. In contrast, a similarly equipped Toyota Avalon runs more than $30,000, and the much smaller Toyota Camry XLE costs $25,000; despite a wimpy (in comparison) V6, tight seating for five, and a comparatively minuscule trunk. Sporting a big car floaty ride and twitchy chassis dynamics at speed, the Crown Victoria is nonetheless comfortable. The handling and performance group adds a few horsepower and improves the car's stability in the twisties; we recommend it to anyone who enjoys back-country highways more than mind-numbing interstates for their family vacations.
So, if you're one of the few people unwilling to pay for a sport utility's high insurance premiums and abysmal gas mileage and if you just can't stand the idea of a minivan this is about your only choice. That's OK though. Unless you can get you hands on a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, we think that this is the best full-size car value on the market.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Ford Crown Victoria.
5 star(69%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(6%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
32 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
Best car value
racinchef, 02/07/2015
1997 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4dr Sedan
When I first saw this car I passed it by, but after looking at a few other cars on the lot the dealer pointed it out to me, so I looked at it more closely; from that point on this car has grown on me.
The car is super reliable, gets good gas mileage on the highway, and rides very comfortably. A/C is awesome too! Replaced headliner, ball joint and upgraded OEM stereo. Also had all … windows tinted except windshield. Great value car, I love it!
5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely in love!
Crown Queen, 04/11/2016
1997 Ford Crown Victoria S 4dr Sedan
I've had mine for 5 years, my first car and I love it. It handles well, accelerates quickly and is spacious and comfy. I do routine maintenance and just enjoy it. Its truly a well built vehicle and is sturdy and reliable.
5 out of 5 stars
Pat/Georgia - Fantastic Car!
Pat, 08/04/2019
1997 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4dr Sedan
I have had my 1997 Crown Vic for 22-years, it has 160,250-miles. It is still runs like new. All maintenance done at Ford Dealership. I love driving this car, very comfort, great for traveling, handling is outstanding! Purchased another used 2011 Crown Vic last month. Plenty of people very disappointed that Ford stopped making this vehicle. I would highly recommend this vehicle to … anyone!
4.13 out of 5 stars
Solid Choice
yankeev8, 03/17/2011
1997 Ford Crown Victoria 4dr Sedan
Its a solid, dependable and comfortable car. Bought it from my aunt and have had no problems. Surprisingly good fuel economy, I easily average between 22-25 mpg driving with a bit of a heavy foot. Power is good as well, has no problem passing and gets up to speed quickly. Transmission shifts smoothly and down the highway the car is quiet aside from some minor wind noise from the back … driver's side window. Has an absoluely huge drunk and lots of interior space. A very easy car to drive but one that you can have a bit of fun with too.
1997 Crown Victoria Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $235/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 20.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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