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Driving Impressions
In ride, handling and performance terms, the Windstar is best described as an oversized Taurus with a slightly higher seating position. That's all to the good; it is smooth, supple, quiet and corners well, with far less body lean than drivers of most vans will encounter. The steering is light, but transmits plenty of road feel. Transitioning from sedan to van is easy here, though the larger turning circle takes some getting used to. Regardless of model, all Windstars come with antilock braking. In this regard, the trailer-tow package--which includes coolers for the engine, power steering and transmission oil--is worth investigating even if you never plan to hitch up, as it replaces the standard rear drum brakes with discs. Base (GL) and commercial Windstars use a quiet but somewhat anemic 3.0-liter V6 engine. Driven gently it is acceptable, but a fully-laden vehicle taxes it almost beyond its ability. The alternative is a 3.8-liter unit (standard in the upmarket LX), reworked this year to deliver 200 hp, which gives the Windstar one indisputable bragging right--the most powerful minivan available. That's enough to provide fine performance with no perceptible loss of economy, though this engine, like every other Ford 3.8 we've tested, isn't as smooth as some and feels slightly strained at high rpm. Both engines are teamed with an excellent 4-speed automatic transmission, and both are sure to give years of trouble-free service.
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