Like the exterior, the interior of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred is marked by its highs and lows, though with more of the former and less of the latter. Covering the dash, doors, and center console are textured, soft materials that are pleasing to the touch, with hard plastics reserved for the lower doors, lower dash, and the pillars. All blend together well, and feature identical grain patterns and colors. Accenting the shift plate, door handles, gauges, and air vents is alloy trim, and the doors feature subtle two-tone panels. The dash is shaped with gentle curves and very few sharp edges; SEL and Limited models are spoiled by the application of shiny fake woodgrain, a mistake that could've been avoided with either matching plastic or more of the alloy trim found elsewhere. Despite that faux pas, the design of the Five Hundred's interior is tasteful and almost upscale - take away the blue oval on the steering wheel, and most shoppers would likely mistake it for a more expensive Lincoln or Mercury. And, with the exception of a headliner and a few pillar covers that could've been tighter, the interior of our test car appeared to be well built. Not only does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred look nice, it's also comfortable. Engineers were intent on providing drivers with a commanding view of the road, like they would enjoy in an SUV or a minivan. Therefore, the seats in the 2005 Ford Five Hundred sit high and offer a good hip point, which means there is no need to climb or fall into the seats. Once inside, occupants will find that the seats are well contoured and firm, though the leather feels as though it came from a synthetic cow. Thanks to the power seat, tilt steering wheel, and the optional power foot pedals it's easy to find a suitable driving position. Unfortunately, the steering wheel does not have a telescoping adjustment. A padded center armrest is large enough to be shared by the driver and front passenger, and a center fold-down armrest dissects the rear bench seat, which is fixed in a slightly reclined position. Those large car dimensions are clearly evident here, resulting in more than 41 inches of legroom. And thanks to a contoured headliner that rises near the back window, second-row passengers are provided with almost 39 inches of headroom. For times when it's more important to carry cargo than passengers, the Five Hundred proves to be spacious and versatile. With 21.2 cubic feet, the illuminated trunk offers more cargo space than the Chevrolet Impala, the Chrysler 300, and the Ford Crown Victoria. A wide opening facilitates easy access to the trunk; however, the liftover height is high, so getting heavy items up and into the vehicle may be a challenge. The trunk lid is lined and has integrated grab handles. If trunk space isn't sufficient, the split rear seat can be folded down and the front passenger seat folds flat, allowing for long objects to be carried securely within the vehicle. In addition, there are a number of storage compartments littering the cabin, most of which are lined to keep items from sliding. Included are front and rear armrest storage bins, large door and seatback pockets, and a sizeable cubby on top of the center dash. And a total of eight cupholders are located in the doors, front console, and rear fold-down armrest.
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