Every year auto companies unveil new features on minivans attempting to one-up the competition. When
Chrysler came out with a sliding side door on the driver's side it caught everyone by surprise, including
Ford, which had to make do with an enlarged driver's door until last year when the all newest version of the Windstar finally got a second sliding door.
This year it's Ford's turn to be first: The Windstar is the first minivan to feature power-adjustable pedals. Short and tall drivers should be able to adjust the seats and pedals for the safest, most comfortable driving position.
A neat entertainment center is also available as an option (though Oldsmobile was the first with that one last year). In the area of safety though, Windstar still rates at the top of government crash tests with a five-star rating.
The base Windstar wagon comes with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and includes anti-lock brakes (ABS), air conditioning and dual airbags. With seating for seven, it starts at $21,315. The second sliding door is now available as an option ($500) on the base model. The 3.8-liter V6 is available for $685.
Windstar LX model starts at $23,965. Windstar SE retails for $27,615. The $30,610 SEL and $33,360 Limited comprise the top of the line. (A Windstar Van without carpeting and passenger seats is also available for $19,815.)
The 2000 Windstar's overall appearance has not changed much since it was first introduced in 1995, but it still looks contemporary. Windstar appears a little over-bodied. When bigger fender flares were added the track was not increased so the wheels do not fill them as well as before -- even with the bigger tires on the SEL. The SEL boasts a chrome-plated grille that gives it a more luxurious look.
Ford and Mazda have adopted Chrysler's design for sliding doors by neatly hiding the runners along the lower edge of the rear side window instead of being gouged out of the body side panel. This gives the Windstar a less utilitarian, more upscale look. The second sliding door is an option on the LX Windstar, but comes standard on the SE and SEL models. Power operation of both doors comes standard on the SEL version and is optional on the other models.
Power-operated doors allow opening the doors by the remote key fob from a distance, which is a real benefit when you've got an armload and it's raining. It is also nice for those who find opening and closing the doors a bit strenuous. The one shortcoming is that they move more slowly than manually operated doors which can be closed in literally no time at all. It takes a few seconds for the electric motor to close the doors. Kids love the power doors. A safety feature automatically stops the doors from closing if any object, such as a child's leg, is encountered as they close.
The Windstar is available in one length. It is among the biggest of the minivans, and is directly comparable to the Dodge Grand Caravan, the Chrysler Town & Country, and the Honda Odyssey. Windstar's total interior volume with seats removed is nearly identical to these big minivans.
