2004 Ford Econoline Wagon Review

Ford's Econoline (E-Series) van gets few changes for 2004. A Chateau model is added to the lineup, whereas it was previously only an option package. Aluminum 16-inch wheels are available on all Econolines; in fact, even the standard-issue steel wheels are 16s this year. The 4.2-liter V6 has been dropped on E-150 models, while E-350 models now offer Ford's excellent new 6.0-liter turbodiesel V8 in place of the 7.3-liter diesel. Several features from last year's Econoline have been deleted -- among these, underseat storage, the passenger-side vanity mirror, seat-mounted grab handles and overhead lighting in the second row.

Although the Econoline still provides one of the most spacious interiors on the market for big families, its lack of significant upgrades leaves it a step behind GM's more modern full-size vans.