The Ford Freestyle, a crossover SUV that entered the market last year, gives Ford customers a viable alternative to a gas-guzzling SUV or a soccer mom-ish minivan.
The Freestyle features a versatile and innovative cabin with seating for six or seven, and a third row seat that folds flat into the floor for increased cargo capacity when needed.
Freestyle's nose looks very SUV-like thanks to a long hood and high beltline. From the windshield back, Freestyle looks wagon-like, but not in a bad way. I liked Freestyle's exterior styling.
I was especially fond of my tester's Silver Birch Metallic paint job, which is a new color for 2006. This color gives Freestyle much more elegant curb appeal.
Inside the Ford Freestyle, the driver and front seat passenger have the most head and legroom, but the second row is the place to be for long trips. With reclining captain's chairs or 60/40 split-fold seatbacks, the second row is very accommodating.
When captain's chairs are selected, second-row seats are mounted on optional adjustable tracks to increase legroom.
The third row is best suited for those that don't have difficulty sliding past the second row seats and don't mind a bit less legroom.
Ford offers Freestyle in three trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. The base SE model is very well equipped and pricing starts at about $25,000; top-of-the-line Limited model adds many luxuries including perforated leather seats.
My loaded Freestyle Limited AWD tester featured options like a touch-screen navigation system ($1,995), which is new for 2006, rear DVD entertainment system ($995), power moonroof ($895), reverse sensing system ($295) and more.
Built in Chicago, the Freestyle shares its platform with the Volvo XC90 and also shares Volvo's safety and all-wheel drive technology.
There are many positive attributes associated with Ford's Freestyle, but for me, the 3.0-liter V6 engine isn't one of them.
All Freestyle trim levels feature a 203-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). There are no other engine or transmission choices for Freestyle.
Freestyle's V6 feels adequate when cruising around town and without a full load. But once you fill the Freestyle with passengers and gear, its V6 becomes sluggish. It's especially noticeable at highway speeds. Also, the engine gets fairly noisy when accelerating up to cruising speed.
Freestyle's CVT does help provide a smooth, refined ride by eliminating shift shock, but it does take a bit getting used to not feeling any shifts.
Power is sent to either Freestyle's front (FWD) or all four wheels (AWD) but stability control is not available. My Freestyle Limited AWD tester felt very confident and stable while driving over rain-soaked roads.
Freestyle's AWD system automatically sends power to the rear wheels whenever front wheel slip is detected. When AWD is not needed, Freestyle functions as a front-wheel drive vehicle.
Maximum towing capacity for the Freestyle is 1,000 pounds, so those with greater towing needs will need to look at other options.
If you need a family-friendly hauler with a versatile cabin, Freestyle delivers nicely. I think Ford could sell even more Freestyles if there was a stronger engine available as an option.
2006 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD
Engine: 3.0-liter (203 hp) V6
Transmission: CVT
Drive Type: AWD
Fuel Economy: 19 city/24 highway
Base Price: $30,580
As Tested: $37,150 (including $700 for destination)
Website: http://www.ford.com |
