Cougar's New Edge school of design is carried over inside. The new-for-2001 instrument panel is stark and racy. Round gauges feature dark markings on satin aluminum faces, and the speedometer overlaps the tachometer in the current fashion. Switchgear looks high-tech and is highly functional. Sturdy bullet air vents effectively aim the airflow exactly where it's wanted. Also new for 2001 are lightweight and aggressive-looking aluminum pedals for Sport Group V6s and S-models.Front bucket seats are firm and supportive. Although other adjustments are manual on base models, the driver's-side height adjustment is powered; that's a thoughtful touch. Getting in back is easy than it looks, and the rear buckets are surprisingly comfortable. Scooped out seat bottoms allow good headroom, while space under the front seats provides manageable legroom. Still, this is no sedan. No one will want to ride for a long trip back there.
The base sound system has been upgraded for 2001 to an AM/FM/single-CD unit. S-models get a cassette player, too; while an in-dash six-CD changer debuts as a stand-alone option. Next Page