Does Ford still make the Ford 500?
The Ford Five Hundred is no longer in production. Ford rebranded the model as the Ford Taurus for the 2010 model year, and the Taurus nameplate was retired in the United States after 2019. Today, Ford focuses more on SUVs, crossovers, and trucks rather than large passenger sedans.
What was the Ford Five Hundred?
The Ford Five Hundred was introduced in the mid-2000s as Ford’s full-size, family-oriented sedan. It offered a spacious interior and available all-wheel drive, and it served as a bridge between older sedan designs and Ford’s later emphasis on modern styling and technology. The name “Five Hundred” was retired when Ford moved to the Taurus branding in 2010.
Key facts about the Five Hundred’s life and its transition to Taurus:
- The model debuted for the 2005 model year as a new large sedan in Ford’s lineup.
- It was the predecessor to the Taurus nameplate that would come a few years later.
- In 2010, Ford reintroduced the model as the Taurus with updated styling and a refreshed interior.
- The Taurus remained in production in the U.S. through the 2019 model year before being discontinued.
In summary, the Five Hundred did not continue as a separate model beyond a short period; its successor under a different badge became the Taurus, and that lineage ended in 2019 in the U.S.
From Five Hundred to Taurus
The transition from the Ford Five Hundred to the Taurus name marked a branding and design shift intended to align Ford’s large sedan with the long-standing Taurus nameplate shoppers already recognized. The revamped model carried forward many of the same segments and capabilities, but with newer styling cues and updated technology to appeal to a broader audience.
- 2010 model year: The Five Hundred was renamed and marketed as the Ford Taurus, with styling updates to reflect a modern family sedan.
- Early 2010s: The Taurus lineup continued with incremental updates, keeping a focus on interior space, comfort, and available AWD.
- 2013–2019: The Taurus remained Ford’s flagship large sedan in the U.S., including performance-oriented variants such as the SHO in certain years.
- 2019: Ford discontinued the Taurus in the U.S. market, effectively ending production of the large sedan in that segment.
Today’s reality is that Ford no longer offers a passenger car in the traditional large sedan category in the U.S.; the Taurus name is retired, and the Five Hundred name never returned as a distinct model.
Current status and what that means for buyers
As of 2025, Ford does not produce a model called the Five Hundred or a direct modern successor in the same large-sedan category in the U.S. The brand’s lineup emphasizes SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, with passenger sedans largely phased out in favor of practicality and utility. For buyers who want a Ford in this size class today, the options are mostly in the used market, primarily the Taurus models produced between 2010 and 2019 or earlier Ford sedans that are no longer in production.
- No current Ford model carries the Five Hundred or Taurus badge in production in the U.S. today.
- Used Ford Taurus (model years 2010–2019) can be a direct way to get a similar large-sedan experience, though availability varies by region and condition.
- Ford’s new-vehicle lineup today centers on SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, such as the Escape, Edge, Explorer, and F-Series pickups.
If you’re specifically shopping new, you may want to consider alternatives outside Ford’s sedan lineup or look at a used Taurus or other large used sedans from the era, keeping in mind the broader shift toward electrified and SUV options.
Summary
Ford no longer produces a model named the Five Hundred. The car evolved into the Taurus for the 2010 model year, and the Taurus nameplate was discontinued in the U.S. after 2019. Since then, Ford has prioritized SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, with no current direct replacement in the large sedan category. For those seeking a Ford of that size today, the best option is typically a used Taurus from the 2010–2019 run or exploring Ford’s SUV lineup for a modern alternative. The industry-wide shift toward crossovers and electrified vehicles is a key context for this change.
Why was the Ford Five Hundred discontinued?
The Five Hundred's 203hp engine and unassuming styling became points of criticism, and sales fell markedly short of company projections — requiring substantive discounts by its second model year.
Did Ford discontinue the GT500?
Yes, Ford discontinued the GT500 after the 2022 model year, but rumors and reports suggest it is expected to return for the 2026 model year, possibly with a new name. The last model was a supercharged 5.2L V8, and while the 2026 version is expected to have a new "Legend" engine, it is anticipated to continue the legacy of high performance.
- Discontinued: The previous generation of the Mustang Shelby GT500 was discontinued after the 2022 model year.
- Expected Return: Ford is expected to bring back a high-performance Mustang with a new engine, code-named "Legend," for the 2026 model year.
- Possible Name Change: Some reports suggest the new model may not use the "Shelby GT500" name and could be called something else, as Ford has recently developed in-house names like "Dark Horse".
- Engine Details: The new engine will likely not be supercharged, but is expected to be a powerful V8, potentially with hybrid or electrified elements to meet future emissions regulations.
When did Ford stop making the 500?
The last Ford 500 was made in 2007, marking the final model year for the car. Production ended in April 2007, and the model was renamed the Ford Taurus for the 2008 model year, which featured an updated engine.
- Final model year: 2007
- Production end date: April 12, 2007
- Successor: The Ford Taurus, which returned for the 2008 model year
- Reason for change: The 500 was re-engineered and renamed the Taurus, likely due to a combination of customer feedback regarding its underpowered engine and the slow acceleration of some versions.
Was the Ford 500 a good car?
Roomy, stylish and practical, the Five Hundred is well suited for family duty, but with its mediocre engine performance and interior materials, it's simply one of many solid choices in the under-$30,000 price bracket.
