2004 Ford Freestar

Jaguar completely redesigned its flagship XJ8 sedan for 2004—totally new from the tire-patches up—but left its classic styling so intact, buyers will need a new color to let their neighbors know they bought a new one. Lexus upgraded its flagship LS 430 sedan for '04, but barely massaged its ultra-conservative appearance.

Although not visually much different from the Windstar, the Freestar boasts most of its newness to what's inside and underneath.

If such an "update-the-hardware, but leave-the-look-alone" approach is good enough for luxury carmakers such as Jaguar and Lexus, it may just work for Ford's new Freestar minivan. Actually, the newness of Freestar's '04 hardware is somewhere between the new Jag and Lexus—more than an upgrade of the previous Windstar, but somewhat short of "all-new." We asked one engineer, "Why not endow the largely new and significantly improved '04 Freestar with a snappy new suit of clothes to set it apart from its aging predecessor—" He said that the budget had its necessary limit; and the Freestar team chose to invest its dollars where they would make the most difference: in the chassis, structure, interior, powertrain and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).


When we drove the new Freestar and began to appreciate its impressive level of improvement, it was hard to argue with that logic. Especially when confronted with place mats at a dinner presentation, which illustrated Ford's belief that Freestar's exterior is less important than its substance—what's inside and underneath. Pictured were most of the minivans on the U.S. market, nearly all of which look pretty much alike. (Nissan's uniquely innovative '04 Quest is one major exception.)


Ford says it focused most of its designers' creative energy on the well-crafted and highly versatile interior. Freestar's all-new instrument panel is far superior in quality of materials, fit and appearance to Windstar's. All five series (S, SE, SES, SEL and Limited) have two-tone instrument and door panels, separated on the Limited by a woodgrain strip. SEL and Limited gauges are trimmed in chrome, and the top-line Limited gets a Lincoln-like round analog clock.

Freestar's all-new instrument panel is far superior in quality of materials, fit and appearance to Windstar's.

Three separate overhead consoles house outside temperature and compass displays, power side door and rear A/C controls, an optional DVD entertainment system and Ford's convex "Conversation Mirror," which enables parents to keep a close watch on their kids in back. Multiple bins, boxes and cup holders provide ample storage for a van-full of family stuff.