A Nostalgic Look at 2005 Ford Car Models: Ranking the Icons 25 Years Later

It’s hard to believe, but 2005 was 25 years ago. That means the Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs we once saw fresh on showroom floors are now officially classics. If that doesn’t make you feel a little old, consider this—someone born the year the 2005 Ford Mustang debuted is now old enough to rent a car.

But 2005 wasn’t just any year for Ford. It was a sweet spot where old-school durability met modern(ish) innovation. The Blue Oval was churning out some of its most memorable vehicles, from workhorse pickups to street-ripping muscle cars. Some models went on to be legends. Others? Well, they’re the reason you sometimes see Craigslist ads that say, “Runs… most of the time.”

So, in the spirit of nostalgia, let’s rank the 2005 Ford car models from most to least popular based on sales, impact, and whether we’d still want one in our garage today.

1. 2005 Ford F-Series (F-150, F-250, F-350) – The Undisputed King

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~900,000 units

No surprises here—the Ford F-Series, especially the F-150, dominated the roads in 2005 and hasn’t stopped since. By ’05, Ford had refined the 11th-generation F-150 with a squared-off, brawny look and an interior that felt downright luxurious compared to older work trucks.

The F-250 and F-350 Super Duty models took things even further, offering enough power to tow a small house. And let’s not forget, this was the last era before trucks became rolling computers—fewer screens, more V8 rumble.

These trucks were built tough, and today, you can still spot them on job sites, farms, or parked outside a Bass Pro Shop with at least three “Punisher” stickers on the back window.

2. 2005 Ford Mustang – The Retro Rocket

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~160,000 units

The 2005 Ford Mustang wasn’t just a car—it was a comeback. Ford ditched the rounded ‘90s look and went full retro with this redesign, paying homage to the ‘60s fastback Mustangs. And let’s be honest—it worked.

You could get a V6, but the real magic was under the hood of the Mustang GT, which packed a 4.6L V8 making 300 horsepower. That might not sound like much in today’s era of 700-hp Hellcats, but back then, it was enough to turn a teenager into a burnout machine overnight.

Fun fact: The 2005 Mustang was so popular that even Hertz rental agencies got a special-edition Shelby GT-H model, which inevitably led to some very enthusiastic “test drives” by renters.

3. 2005 Ford Explorer – The SUV That Raised a Generation

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~235,000 units

In the mid-2000s, if you were a suburban parent, there was a very high chance you drove a Ford Explorer. This was peak SUV era—minivans were out, big, boxy SUVs were in, and the Explorer was king of the family haulers.

The 2005 model was still rocking its third-gen design, which had switched to an independent rear suspension, making it ride smoother than the truck-based SUVs of the ‘90s. It had three rows, a decent V8 option, and enough cargo space to haul soccer gear, camping equipment, or a questionable amount of Costco bulk purchases.

These days, a 2005 Explorer might still be running—but with a cracked dashboard, some transmission quirks, and a CD collection permanently stuck in the changer.

4. 2005 Ford Escape – The Small SUV That Just Kept Going

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~165,000 units

The Ford Escape was Ford’s attempt at making an SUV that wasn’t massive, and it turned out to be a hit. It was compact, easy to drive, and even had a hybrid option—back when hybrids were still a novelty and not just a way to dodge gas prices.

What’s wild is that these things refuse to die. A 2005 Escape might not look pretty today (faded plastic trim and missing hubcaps are common features), but it’ll still fire up on a cold morning like it was built yesterday.

5. 2005 Ford Taurus – The End of an Era

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~196,000 units

By 2005, the Ford Taurus was past its prime, but it was still chugging along as America’s rental car of choice. The early ‘90s Taurus had been a game-changer, but by 2005, it was a little… uninspired. You got a 3.0L V6, a big trunk, and the kind of styling that made you question if you were actually driving or just existing in a beige blur.

Fun fact: 2005 was the last year of the Taurus (before it was resurrected later), and Ford replaced it with the Five Hundred. The result? Taurus owners completely ignored the Five Hundred, forcing Ford to bring the Taurus name back in 2008.

6. 2005 Ford Crown Victoria – The Cop Car Legend

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~65,000 units

Ah, the Crown Vic—the car that made your heart skip a beat every time you saw one in the rearview mirror. The 2005 model was still the go-to choice for police departments, taxi fleets, and anyone who wanted a body-on-frame sedan that could survive a decade of abuse.

Today, these cars are mostly retired, but every once in a while, you’ll see one on the road, usually driven by someone who bought it at a police auction and definitely still has the spotlight attached for intimidation purposes.

7. 2005 Ford Freestyle – The Crossover That Time Forgot

🚘 Total 2005 sales: ~76,000 units

Remember the Ford Freestyle? No? That’s okay—most people don’t. Ford marketed this as an SUV-wagon hybrid, but it mostly ended up as the car you saw parked at every elementary school pickup line. It had three rows, a CVT transmission (which aged beautifully… just kidding), and a 3.0L V6 that was adequate at best.

Despite its forgettable nature, the Freestyle was actually the blueprint for today’s crossover boom. So, if you drive a modern Explorer or Edge, thank the Freestyle for walking so they could run.

Final Thoughts: Which 2005 Ford Car Models Still Hold Up?

Looking back, Ford had a stacked lineup in 2005. The F-150 was untouchable, the Mustang was reborn, and SUVs were on the rise. Some models—like the Mustang and F-Series—are still icons today. Others—like the Taurus and Freestyle—are mostly Craigslist fodder.

But if you happen to stumble across a clean 2005 Mustang GT or an F-150 in good shape, scoop it up. Because 25 years from now, those might just be the “classics” everyone wishes they had.

❓ What’s your favorite (or least favorite) 2005 Ford? Did you own one? Let me know in the comments!