The Ford 2000 Cougar is built on a platform of Ford CDW27, on which models Ford Mondeo, Mercury Mystique and Ford Contour were also produced. Predecessor model was considered to be Ford Probe (1989 - 1997). Cougar was made long enough, its size even larger than the versatile Ford Mondeo(4699mm long, 1769mm wide and 1308mm high), thus improving comfort of back passengers. Due to the length and wider wheelbase – 2704mm, the Cougar car is quite low.

Ford 2000 Cougar was offered with the standard single-row 4-cylinder Zetec 2.0-liter 16V petrol engine with capacity of 130 hp at 5600 rpm and 178 Nm torque at 4000 rpm and modified 6-cylinder Duratec 2.5-liter 24V petrol engine with capacity of 170 hp at 6250 rpm, 220 NM torque at 4250 rpm. The Duratec 2.5-liter 24V ST200 engine was available for Ford 2000 Cougar ST200 only. Power unit is equipped with 5-speed mechanical MTX-75 or automatic 4-speed CD4E for a client's choice.