Driving Impressions
reviewed by
The Aerostar's ride quality isn't as smooth as the Windstar's. It feels more like a van than an automobile in this regard, al-though it's not what we'd call harsh, and it's thoroughly comfortable in freeway cruising.
Handling, however, is surprisingly good. Like all tall vehicles, there's body roll during cornering, but not as much as we've experienced in many other minivans. The Aerostar's relatively firm suspension and sturdy chassis lend a sense of control to all maneuvers.
Rear-wheel drive doesn't offer the kind of wet-weather traction you get with front-wheel drive, of course, but on dry pavement the Aerostar tracks through corners with more authority than its front-drive counterparts.
Our test van's 4.0-liter V6 pulled with a will, and we think it's a much better bet than the standard 3.0-liter. This is the same engine used in the Explorer sport/utility, and it has the kind of low-rpm muscle needed for hard work.
The V6 offered in the Astro and Safari has a little more grunt, and it can haul even heavier loads. But the distinctions in all-around driving are pretty subtle.
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