History: Ford introduced the Windstar in 1994 during the height of the minivan "explosion." Each year since, the vehicle has shown a significant presence in Ford's sales picture. Currently, the Windstar has a 17 percent share of the total minivan sales. Each year also, Ford has up-dated the Windstar with innovative features and improved safety features. The 1998 Windstar boasts a new Family Entry System (tip-slide driver's seat and extended driver's door) in lieu of a fourth door which is expected to appear on the 1999 model.

Vehicle Type: 7-passenger minivan

Base Price: $19,665 (3.0L base model)

Engine: Standard engine: 3.0-liter, V-6, 150 horsepower Upgrade: 3.8-liter, V-6, 200 horsepower.

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

Safety Features: Dual air bags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, knee bolsters, front crumple zone side-impact intrusion beams, sliding-door child safety lock, 3-point seat belts for rear passengers.

Buyer Demos: Families.

Fuel Economy: N/A

Model Availability: 3.0L, GL, LX, Limited.

We looked at:

Roominess: One of the main reasons to buy a minivan is the room it provides for passengers and "stuff." The Windstar is no disappointment here. There's room for seven, easily. There's even loads of space for the front passenger and her accouterments.

Driving Position: Getting into the Windstar is as easy as entering a sedan. You simply slip in. Yet the driver sits much higher than in a car and has a panoramic view of her surroundings. Offering the driver a panoramic view of the rear passengers is an innovative option new on the 1998 Windstar. It's a convex mirror, called a "conversation" mirror, that pops down from the overhead console to give a wide-angle view of what's going on in the back. Much safer than twisting around in the seat and should do wonders to help keep the kids in line.

Passenger Comfort: One of the highlights of the 1998 Windstar is the new Family Entry System designed to allow easier access to the second row seats from the driver side of the vehicle. Simply put, this is a widened driver's door and a tip-slide seat with a memory function that returns the seat to its original position after the cargo or people are loaded. It's an appreciated convenience, however the sliding door on the passenger side is still the easiest way to get into the rear area. Passenger comfort abounds inside the Windstar. It's spacious. The seats are firm and pleasant. And there are lots of places to put things and cupholders for all.

Cargo Space: Remove the rear seats and get 142.1 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold down the rear seatbacks and you get a quick and easy flat surface. Versatility is a watchword in the Windstar.

Safety Features: This vehicle has over forty standard safety features and prides itself as being the only minivan with a five-star government safety rating for both driver and front passenger. In addition to the expected safety features like dual air bags, four-wheel anti-lock braking system and sliding door child safety lock, the Wi ndstar adds features like knee bolsters, a front crumple zone, side impact intrusion beams, optional all-speed traction control and the ingenious "conversation" mirror. Safety is a big selling-point for this minivan.

Our Impressions of the Drive:

Engine Response: Two engines are offered in this minivan: the standard 3.0-liter V-6 and the 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6. While both will get you on the freeway safely and offer adequate power in most situations, opt for the 200-horsepower engine version. This engine delivers more power than any other minivan on the road today and is one of the reasons Windstar sales were up six percent in first quarter 1997 while the segment as a whole was down four percent.

Shifting The Gears The shifter is located on the steering wheel. It moves easily between the gears and it's no problem seeing the gear indicator located in the dashboard. The automatic transmission is smooth and uneventful.

Handling: A test drive in the Houston, Texas area this spring put this vehicle to a real handling test. Near the end of our drive, which took us on freeways and curving country roads that offered a good feel for the handling of the Windstar in a variety of driving situations, we encountered a Texas-size rain storm. We were on the freew ay about 35 miles outside of Houston when the heavens erupted. The rain came down so hard it caused many cars to wait under freeway bridges for the heavy storm to pass. Obviously, these were cars that didn't handle as well as the Windstar. Our minivan held to the road, responded to quick stops, and continued down the highway confidently, bringing us back to our hotel unscathed and in plenty of time for dinner.

Ride: Most people choose a minivan because of it's car-like ride. The Windstar excels here, too. The ride is better than many cars and certainly better than almost any sport utility vehicle -- the "other" family favorite vehicle.

Brakes: The four-wheel anti-lock brakes on this vehicle proved excellent on all road surfaces and were champion quality in the rain.

Fit And Finish: Some guys kick tires to check out the solidity of a vehicle. Some of us like to slam the vehicle's doors hoping to hear a good solid sound. Smart shoppers take a long look down the side of the vehicle to be sure that all the parts match up well. They look carefully at how the hood and trunk lid fit and run their finger across the places that should come together evenly. They listen for wind noise inside the car. They check the finish to be sure it's smooth and wrinkle-free. The report here is a good one. Quality is apparent on the Windstar.

What We Liked Most: There's a real feeling of security in this vehicle. Sitting high in the driver's seat provides confidence. The comfortable, secure seat belts give all aboard an added sense of safety. And there's no big step up into the vehicle. Oh yeah, the Windstar is great looking, too.

What We Caution You About: This is not the biggest minivan out there. While most are 7-seaters like the Windstar, some offer greater cargo capacity.

Overall Impression: The Windstar is a "star" in the minivan theater. Ford's claim that it is "created for the most important people in the world" rings true throughout.

Major Competition: Dodge Grand Caravan, Plymouth Grand Voyager, Chrysler Town and Country, Chevrolet Venture/Oldsmobile Silhouette/Pontiac Transport, Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest