Inside is where the Windstar shines. It's roomy and comfortable, with
plenty of access to the middle and rear seat rows. The uniquely stylish
dashboard curves around the driver, so smaller drivers don't have to stretch
and lunge for the controls.
The instruments are classic white-on-black analog, with a tachometer
on the left, a big speedometer in the middle, and small temperature and
fuel gauges on the right, plus the usual array of warning lights. Headlights
are controlled by a rotary switch on the left side of the dash. Wiper controls
are on a stalk on the left of the steering wheel column. The parking brake
is set with a handle to the right of the driver's seat.
Controls for the power windows and locks are on the door, and cruise
control switches are on the steering wheel hub, where you can operate them
with your thumbs.
Three big dials to the right of the instrument panel work the heater
and air conditioner. They really couldn't be simpler or more convenient.
The same can't be said for the AM/FM/cassette player just above those
dials. It's all buttons, and many of the buttons are pretty small. Even
adjusting the volume requires the driver to look away from the road.
Cupholders, which pop out under the heater, are now adjustable, so they
can hold even the fattest coffee mug. There are tons of cup holders for
back seat passengers that can hold a can or a juice box, and large storage
bins in both the middle and rear seat rows.
The seatbelts are height-adjustable in both front and rear.
A useful new feature is the optional overhead console. It includes a
change holder, a little home for those ever-elusive sunglasses, and a holder
for a garage remote control. Best of all, it has a cool convex mirror that
pops down so you can view the back seats and see who is really tormenting
whom when you're trying to drive.
The seats are comfortable enough for trips of any duration. The arms
rests fold down to help you relax and fold up and out of the way when you
have to arbitrate a family dispute in the back.
The third seat rests on rails. Push it all the way back for maximum
leg room. Push it seven inches forward to create more cargo room. The second
and third row seat backs fold down to put stuff on top, or you can unlatch
them and take them out altogether. Do that and 4x8 sheets of plywood will
fit flat on the floor.
Ford put a power lock switch on the side of the cargo hold, just inside
the rear hatch. So even without remote entry, you can pull something out,
lock all the doors and head into the house.
The Windstar is as quiet, comfortable and easy to operate as any minivan
on the road. Even at freeway speeds you can hear people talking to you
in the rear seats with no problem.
Two engines are available, and both provide plenty of power. A 3.0-liter
V6, standard in GL models, generates 150 hp, pretty typical for a minivan
engine. A 3.8-liter V6 that's optional on the GL and standard on LX and
Limited models creates 200 hp, tops in any minivan. Both engines can go
100,000 miles between tuneups and the four-speed automatic transmission
that comes in all Windstars makes shifting almost unnoticeable.
There's enough pickup to get onto the freeway or pass on two-lane roads
without much drama, and stoplight getaway is good enough to leave many
compact cars behind if you try.
We also found that the Windstar performed well in winter weather, even
without the optional traction control.
The Windstar is probably the safest minivan going. Dual airbags, 5 mph
bumpers and ABS are standard on all models. There's a child-proof lock
on the sliding door and head restraints have been added to the second and
third row seats. Perhaps most important, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration has given the Windstar a five-star rating for protecting
its occupants in a head-on collision.