2001FordWindstarFord Windstar2001 Ford Windstar LX 4-DoorMinivanWagonFWDOakville, Ontario, CanadaThere are several model/series changes, as well as updates to the exterior, interior and powertrain. Ford says a new transmission has improved shift quality and the 3.8-liter V6 is standard on all Windstars. The base model is now called the Windstar LX three-door. The SE Sport is a new trim level and it includes driving lights, painted bumpers and body-side molding, a rear lift gate spoiler, a second-row bucket/console seat, a roof rack with brushed aluminum crossbars, black rocker cladding, and different wheels and tires.Top-flight safety equipment and ratings, plenty of interior features and options, sonar backup warning system.Floaty ride, restricted legroom for second- and third-row passengers, noisy engine.Much of the Ford Windstar's reputation is based on safety. And in the highly contested minivan market, that's a pretty good piece of turf upon which to stake a claim. In the many years it has been tested, the Windstar has earned the U.S. government's highest frontal crash-test rating for both the driver and front passenger. Additionally, the Windstar can be equipped with optional side-impact airbags that give the minivan top government marks for side-impact crash safety. Ford has gone even further for 2001, equipping its minivan with dual-stage airbags that deploy based on information provided by new crash severity sensors, seatbelt usage sensors, and a driver's seat position sensor. A low tire-pressure warning system is new, as are safety-belt pretensioners. Windstar is offered in five different trim levels -- LX, SE, SE Sport, SEL and Limited. The LX is the only trim that can be ordered in three-door form; the rest are four-doors. Power-sliding doors are available on all but the LX. The Windstar's interior in fairly agreeable, and for 2001 Ford has made minor trim upgrades. There is a new Family Entertainment System with an overhead screen to keep young children occupied. The Dual Media audio system is still available, which allows front-seat passengers to listen to one media such as radio or tape while rear-seat passengers can listen to a separate media (such as a CD) through headphones. Our main complaint about the interior of all Windstars is a lack of legroom for second- and third-row passengers. On the top-line Limited, you'll now find power heated seats; a memory system for the driver's seat, mirror and pedals; a wood and leather steering wheel; chrome door handles; and dual-blade sun visors. The Limited can be identified by its unique 10-spoke aluminum wheels and special Light Parchment Gold paint (black is optional). Inside, floor mats are embroidered with Limited script and door panels have wood grain trim. Windstar has several new option groups worth noting. The Family Security Group II includes self-sealing tires, a perimeter anti-theft system, a reverse-sensing system and traction control. The Value Group includes an AM/FM cassette and tilt steering with cruise control. The Power Group adds adjustable pedals and a power driver's seat. There is also the Convenience Group that includes adjustable pedals, a center-bin storage cover, an illuminated sun visor, interior storage nets and power heated signal mirrors. On the road, the Windstar comes up a bit short in terms of ride quality. But overall, it provides a good blend of everyday practicality, useable performance and innovative features. It is also wrapped in a shell that will protect your loved ones from all but the most serious crashes, when properly restrained. As long as you don't need to haul adults in back on a regular basis, it should serve your needs well. Chevrolet VentureDodge Grand CaravanHonda OdysseyToyota Sienna336,000336,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA63.8 litersV6200 hp @ 4900 rpm240 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm139 cu.ft.1800 lbs.2000 lbs.200.9 in.76.6 in.66.1 in.3890 lbs.120.7 in.39.3 ft.NA39.3 in.41.1 in.NANANANA40.7 in.36.8 in.7StandardStandardNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableOptionalNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedGoodGoodNot TestedNot Tested26 gal.18 mpg / 24 mpg468 mi. / 624 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$22,726$24,8057.35%$655N/ASTANDARD CARGO VAN (4A): 3.8L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up converter; 650-amp battery; 130-amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.56 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear non-independent suspension with rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock braking system; 26 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; 3 doors with sliding right rear passenger door, liftback rear cargo door; front and rear colored bumpers with rear step bumper; colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" steel wheels, P215/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning; AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan feature, 4 speakers, window grid antenna; power door locks, child-safety rear doorlocks; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low oil level, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, low tire pressure; driver's and passenger's front airbags; ignition disable; tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down function, power 1/4 vent windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, fixed-interval rear wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 2, front bucket seats with fixed headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, front cloth headliner, front carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light with delay; vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin,driver's and passenger's door bins; vinyl cargo floor, cargo light; body-colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
LX 3DR (4A) (in addition to or instead of STANDARD CARGO VAN (4A) equipment): Battery rundown protection; air conditioning, air filter; 3 power accessory outlets, retained accessory power; seating capacity of 7, driver and passenger armrests; 2nd-row seat with adjustable headrests; removable full-folding 3rd-row bench seat with adjustable headrest; height-adjustable rear seatbelts; full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, deluxe sound insulation; carpeted cargo floor.
LX 4DR (4A) (in addition to or instead of LX 3DR (4A) equipment): Front and rear colored bumpers with rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside molding; cruise control with steering wheel controls; remote keyless entry; panic alarm; 2nd-row seat with reclining headrests; interior lights include rear reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets.
SE SPORT (4A) (in addition to or instead of LX 4DR (4A) equipment): Roof rack; 16" x 6.5" machined alloy wheels, P225/60SR16 BSW A/S tires; rear air conditioning with separate controls, air filter, rear heater; deep tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down function; removable full-folding 2nd-row bucket seats; interior lights include front reading lights, door curb lights; leather-wrapped steering wheel; full overhead console with storage, rear console with storage, instrument panel bin; cargo net; black grille and body-colored door handles.
SE (4A) (in addition to or instead of SE SPORT (4A) equipment): Front and rear body-colored bumpers with chrome bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert; additional exterior lights include cornering lights; driver's and passenger's power remote black heated folding outside mirrors with turn signal indicators; P215/65SR16 BSW A/S tires; premium AM/FM stereo, cassette player, single-disc CD player, rear controls; driver's seat includes 14-way adjustment (6-way power), 2-way power lumbar support; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; instrument panel covered bin and chrome grille.
SEL (4A) (in addition to or instead of SE (4A) equipment): 750-amp battery; body-colored bodyside cladding; clearcoat lower accent two-tone paint; fully automatic headlamps; additional exterior lights include cornering lights, front fog/driving lights; garage door opener; instrumentation display includes compass, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer; warning indicators include service interval, brake fluid; leather seats; simulated wood dashboard insert and auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror.
LIMITED (4A) (in addition to or instead of SEL (4A) equipment): Oil cooler; traction control; class II towing, trailer harness; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors with turn signal indicators; P215/65SR16 BSW A/S self-sealing tires; premium AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan, 6-disc CD changer, 4 speakers, window grid antenna, rear controls; additional instrumentation display includes compass, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, park distance control; driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; security system; driver's and front passenger's heated bucket seats with adjustable headrests, driver and passenger armrests, leatherette door trim insert, simulated wood door panel insert, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes settings for exterior mirrors; leather/genuine wood steering wheel with tilt adjustment; partial floor console and chrome door handles.