1998 Ford Windstar Minivan Review & Performance

still the basis of its look today. Besides the larger front door, the most

noticeable change is in the front. The hood has a slightly different contour

this year than its former smoothly rounded surface. Slightly raised in

the center, it comes forward into a more squarely shaped front end, lending

a slightly stronger appearance.

Overall the look is quite stylish, and it disguises the Windstar's substantial

size. The shape still slides smoothly over the sloped windshield, so that

only the barest wind noise comes from the large outside mirrors.

It's easy to get kids and cargo in and out the passenger doors. In the

rear the cargo door is huge, but a door-style handle makes it easy to open

and lift. And even though there's lots of walk-under room beneath the hatch,

an easy-to-grasp strap helps to haul it down.

Then there's that big new Family door, which has been extended six inches.

The back seat can be reached by tipping and sliding the driver's seat forward.

(The door is standard on all '98 Windstars, but the tip-slide seat is extra

on the less-expensive models, and the door is just a big door without it.)

We found a few problems here. One is just size. Though it's designed

to extend only two inches more than previous door, it's enough to be bothersome

in a crowded parking lot. Ford points out that most mid-size coupes have

doors that are even wider. But they're not nearly as tall, or as high off

the ground.

A package can be easily put in the back by just tipping the seat and

not sliding it forward. But for anything bigger you have to get out, move

your seat, put it back and get in. It's easier just to use the sliding

door.

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.

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.