2005 Ford Freestyle Review

Specifications

Lightening the SUV Load

Until the motoring public becomes more conversant with the name “Freestyle” and the term “crossover” as it applies to modern vehicles, owners of the new Ford had better get accustomed to conversations and smart-aleck remarks such as: “What are you driving these days?” “A Freestyle.” “A Free-what?” “A Freestyle.” “What the heck is a Freestyle?” “Its a crossover vehicle.” “What the heck is a Freestyle crossover vehicle - a car for free-thinking cross-dressers?”

Now that Ford has joined the full-size, domestic crossover fray, it shouldnt take long for the awareness factor to kick in as potential buyers begin comparing the Freestyle with Chryslers Pacifica, among others. Personally, I believe this segment of the auto industry has a tremendous amount to offer, but up to now has been under-embraced by consumers. The many benefits derived from the distillation of an SUV into a car-like product are worthy of scrutiny by anyone in the market for either a minivan or SUV. The new Freestyle is an excellent example.

Although the Freestyle and other crossover vehicles dont carry the bulk that most midsize or larger SUVs do, it is equally, if not more, spacious than many midsize SUVs. At 199.8 inches in length, the Freestyle is 10 inches longer than its cousin, the Ford Explorer, and an inch longer than its main rival, the Pacifica.

My Titanium Green and Arizona Beige tester drew much attention thanks to its clean exterior lines and marvelous interior design. During our week together, I responded to many inquiries about the Freestyle from colleagues and complete strangers, all of whom seemed impressed with what they saw. Not being satisfied with simply its good-looks, I went over it with a very critical eye in pursuit of deficiencies and imperfections. I found very little of that nature.

Exterior assembly, including panel spacing, is accurate and flaw-free. Moving inside doesnt upset the apple cart, as the various soft-touch plastics and finishing materials used in the Freestyles cabin are pleasant and speak of good quality. There is nothing needlessly complex in the layout of the instrument panel, and all controls are straightforward to operate.

Although leather is available, my tester was upholstered in a very attractive Pebble Tan- coloured cloth. The material felt durable, but I found the seats it covered to be fairly soft and not as supportive as they could be. Side bolstering is also on the weak side, but hey, this isnt a vehicle intended for the track. Despite seats that may lack firmness, I felt the driving position in the Freestyle was outstanding. This vehicle just feels right, thanks largely to its Command Seating position, sensible ergonomics and excellent visibility.

Headroom and legroom are exceptional in all three rows of seats. Third-row seating is easily accessed by folding and tumbling the second-row buckets forward. If maximum passenger accommodation is important to buyers, the Freestyle is available with a three-position second-row seat in place of the sporty second-row buckets and console configuration.

But perhaps the niftiest aspect of the Freestyles seating arrangement is the split third row perches. I am sure many hours of mechanical engineering and toil went into designing a mechanism that allows each half of the third row seat to perform a double backflip of sorts, transforming each half into a flat load floor.

The various seating and payload options give rise to exceptional versatility, but thats only part of the owner satisfaction equation. The driving experience is often what sells a vehicle and generates brand loyalty. The Freestyle presents a mixed bag of goods in this regard.

Powering it is a 3.0-liter Duratec DOHC V6, capable of spinning out 203 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. These are not impressive figures for an all-wheel drive vehicle weighing in at 4,112 pounds and outstretching many midsize SUVs. However, Ford claims that the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) maximizes the efficiency of its engines output, boosting the effective horsepower to 250 or so.

Since loading my tester and heading to the local ski hill, I am prepared to give Ford their due on that claim. Although the aging Duratec V6 moans and groans more than a number of better refined V6 engines on the market, it squared-off with the long hill and put the Freestyle on top with complete ease. The CVT kept the Duratec revving in its optimal range for the ascent.

Throughout the climb, with the gearshift in the Drive position, the engine speed soared as high as 4,000 rpm without any discernable shift in gears. Along the way, I never found it necessary to manually gear down or squeeze the throttle hard to initiate a gear reduction, so yes, I buy the 250 effective horsepower claim. Nonetheless, a little more juice for passing purposes would be desirable.

It will be interesting to see if the Continuously Variable Transmission catches on. In addition to making the most of engine output, Ford claims a five-percent increase in fuel economy with the CVT. So will these persuasive traits be enough to gain acceptance for the CVT? Only time and sales charts will tell.

What has been popularized over the last few years, though, is all-wheel drive technology, which like the Pacifica is available on the Freestyle. My ski trip provided me with the opportunity to test the Volvo-based, Haldex all-wheel drive system. As in Volvos XC90, this apparatus is very effective at maintaining traction on snow- and ice-covered surfaces. The system instantly diverts power to the wheels with the best traction. Given the crossover status of this vehicle, its no surprise that low-range gearing and an off-road tire package are not available.

In addition to its traction-to-the-max, Ford ensured the Freestyle would transport its occupants in comfort, by refraining from the firm suspension calibrations often found in all-wheel drive SUVs. It rides on an absorbent, fully-independent suspension arrangement that delivers a smooth, well-controlled ride, nicely complementing the low levels of road and wind noise penetrating the cabin.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the tenacious grip the Freestyle exerts in hard corners. It was more than I expected, but thats another example of the benefit derived from the crossover format. Its predictable, competent handling instills driver confidence - which is something judged more through the seat of ones pants than the words on a page.

Along with its rewarding handling, the Freestyle doesnt shortchange when it comes to safety. Its body structure adheres to Fords new SPACE (Side Protection and Cabin Enhancement) architecture, which helps channel the force of a collision away from the passenger compartment.

The big wagon also utilizes dual-stage frontal airbags, combined with occupant detection technology to protect front seat passengers. An optional side airbag system, termed Safety Canopy, is available to provide head and shoulder protection to the outboard seating positions in all three rows, in the event of a side impact or rollover crash. For family purchasers, this technology ought to be considered mandatory, not optional.

Fortunately, Ford has equipped every Freestyle with powerful antilock four-wheel disc brakes, aided by electronic brakeforce distribution, which balances the degree of braking at each wheel to promote safe, short, well-controlled stops. Predictable, linear braking makes reeling-in this sure-footed car a snap, although moderate nosedive accompanies a stomp on the brakes. An all-speed traction control system maintains traction when the opposite pedal is stomped. This technology is standard equipment on both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models.

Ford has established a three-tiered lineup for the Freestyle, beginning with the nicely equipped SE, followed by the as-tested SEL and capped-off with the leather-clad, fully loaded Limited. All-wheel drive is available as an option on all three trim levels, one I would recommend to anyone not residing in a desert climate.

As the SUV craze winds down, I am convinced the crossover phenomenon will wind up. Heres a class of vehicle that handles and rides like a car, has the commodious room of an SUV and can be equipped with all-wheel drive, but which most importantly, exercises much greater frugality at the pump thanks to its lighter weight.

The many SUV owners never taking their big rigs anywhere there isnt pavement would be wise to lighten-up and jump into a crossover. The Freestyle is a strong contender in this field. As the vehicle matures, I hope a small, efficient high-output V8 finds its way beneath the hood.