Does a Ford 500 have a CVT transmission?
No. The Ford Five Hundred uses a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, not a CVT.
The Ford Five Hundred (marketed as the Five Hundred in the U.S.) was produced from 2005 through 2007 and was later renamed the Ford Taurus in 2010. Its drivetrain choices reflected traditional automatics for that platform, rather than a continuously variable transmission.
Transmission type in the Five Hundred
In the 2005–2007 Five Hundred, Ford paired a 3.0-liter Duratec V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission. There was no CVT option for this model/year. The six-speed automatic provided smooth shifts typical of Ford’s front-wheel-drive sedans of that era.
Key transmission facts for the Ford Five Hundred:
- Conventional six-speed automatic transmission (no CVT).
- Engine pairing generally centered on the 3.0-liter Duratec V6.
- Model years affected: 2005–2007; the lineup evolved into the Taurus nameplate in 2010.
- Designed for smooth, automatic shifts rather than a continuously variable gear ratio.
Overall, the Five Hundred’s drivetrain relied on a traditional automatic rather than a CVT.
CVT vs conventional automatics: what’s the difference?
What a CVT is and how it differs
CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. It uses a belt and pulley system to provide an infinite number of gear ratios, aiming to keep engine RPM in an optimal range for efficiency and smooth acceleration.
Common distinctions between CVTs and traditional automatics include:
- CVTs offer a seamless range of gears with no distinct shift points, while traditional automatics use a fixed number of gears (such as six) with defined shifts.
- Driving feel: CVTs can feel very smooth but may lack the “kick” or shift sensation some drivers expect, whereas traditional automatics deliver noticeable shifts.
- Maintenance and reliability: CVTs require different maintenance practices and can have different failure modes compared with conventional automatics common in the Five Hundred era.
For the Five Hundred, Ford chose the conventional six-speed automatic, aligning with the standard approach for many large sedans of that period.
Summary
The Ford Five Hundred does not use a CVT transmission. It employs a traditional six-speed automatic paired with the 3.0-liter Duratec V6 for its 2005–2007 model years. This model line later evolved into the Taurus, which continued to rely on conventional automatics rather than CVTs in its early years. Understanding the difference between CVTs and conventional automatics helps clarify why this vehicle does not feature a CVT.
