2005 Ford Freestyle SEL

SE and SEL interiors have carbon-fiber-look trim, while the Limited gets simulated wood.

The front buckets, covered in fabric or optional leather, provide good lumbar and lateral support, the second row offers a choice of reclining captain's chairs or a 60/40 split-folding bench, and optional adjustable tracks for the captain's chairs can increase legroom. Third row room is enhanced by a raised rear roof and second-row seatbacks designed to maximize third-row foot space. Ford contends that no competitive vehicle offers as much combined 3-row passenger room, and Freestyle's second- and third-row legroom and third-row knee clearance are best-in-class.


The well-equipped Freestyle SE rides on 17-inch wheels and tires. Our mid-range test SEL adds appearance accents, dual-zone air conditioning, electronic message center, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a premium sound system. The top-of-the-line Limited sports a monochromatic exterior and adds heated outside mirrors, an Audiophile sound system and perforated leather seating with heated front seats. SE and SEL interiors have carbon-fiber-look trim, while the Limited gets simulated wood. A convenient covered storage bin sits atop the instrument panel, an optional overhead console provides room for sunglasses and garage door openers, the first-row console has a convenient 12V power outlet, and a convex "conversation mirror" lets the driver keep an eye on rear passengers.


Completing the crossover equation is sport-sedan-style dynamics, thanks to the "Volvo-inspired" architecture's fully independent suspension and class-leading torsional rigidity. Its responsive handling and surprising agility result from a carefully tuned combination of front MacPherson struts, coil-over rear shocks, rack-and-pinion steering and optimized suspension geometry all around, and its ABS braking system features aluminum dual-piston front calipers.

The Freestyle does a brilliant job of packaging a lot of people and cargo space into a maneuverable, modest-sized body.

The available AWD uses an electronically controlled, electro-hydraulic Haldex limited-slip coupling ahead of the rear differential to transfer virtually all available torque to the rear wheels whenever the front wheels slip. Electronic controls gather information from the ABS system and other sensors to enable the system to react within 50 milliseconds-much faster and more seamlessly than viscous-coupling systems, and available traction control provides side-to-side torque transfer. On a steep gravel hill provided for comparison during our media drive, the Freestyle easily outclassed rivals Chrysler Pacifica and Buick Rendezvous when it effortless regained headway after stopping partway up, while the others couldn't.