2006 Ford Freestyle SEL

Interior

The front buckets, covered in fabric or optional leather trim, provide good lumbar and lateral support, the second row offers a choice of reclining buckets or a 60/40 split-folding bench, and optional adjustable tracks for the buckets 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 base Freestyle SE rides on 17-inch aluminum wheels and boasts 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, air conditioning, speed control, power windows, mirrors and locks, remote keyless entry, 6-way power driver's seat, fold-flat second-row captain's chairs, third-row bench and front passenger seat, and AM/FM/CD stereo. A convenient covered storage bin sits atop the instrument panel, the first-row console has a convenient 12V power outlet, a convex "conversation mirror" lets the driver keep an eye on rear passengers, and an optional overhead console provides room for sunglasses and garage door openers.


Our mid-range test SEL adds bright aluminum wheels and appearance accents plus fog lamps, heated mirrors, electronic message center, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a premium sound system with a 6-CD changer. The top-of-the-line Limited sports 18-inch bright aluminum wheels and a monochromatic exterior, plus dual-zone climate control, 8-way power heated driver's seat with memory, 4-way power heated front passenger seat, perforated leather trimmed seating, 50/50 split third row bench seat and an Audiophile sound system.


SE and SEL interiors have carbon-fiber-look trim, while the Limited gets simulated wood. Major options include power adjustable pedals with memory, AWD with traction control, DVD Family Entertainment System with two wireless headphones, 7-passenger seating with a 60/40 split second-row bench, auxiliary climate control, reverse sensing system, a moonroof and (new for 2006) satellite navigation.


Completing the crossover equation is sport-sedan-style dynamics, thanks to the "Volvo-inspired" architecture's fully independent suspension and 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.