2007 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD

Three kids, one dog, one Crossover

Three of my friends drive Freestyles. They are virtually identical, demographically speaking -- in their late 30s/early 40s, middle-income married folks with three kids and a dog. They'd have been in station wagons three decades ago, minivans in the 80s, and large SUVs a few years ago. The 2007 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD is a true Crossover vehicle, standing in for all three vehicles. With a base price of $30,680 ($36,250 as tested), the 2007 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD comes with Ford's 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty, 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and an EPA estimate of 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway.

I can't fault the Freestyle for its looks. Freestyle's design has the ability to surprise from several angles. In profile, it looks for all the world like the offspring of a station wagon and an SUV. It has the long body of a station wagon with the high greenhouse of an SUV, wedded together in a harmonious fashion that pays tribute to both parents. The proportions remind me more of a Volvo station wagon than anything that Ford has put on the road lately -- maybe there's been some positive Swedish influence since Ford's acquisition of Volvo in 1999? All traces of minivan have been wiped away on Freestyle's exterior. The four side doors all open conventionally, on hinges rather than slides. The hood is in sedan-like proportion to the body, not snub-nosed like a minivan's. The body's stance over the wheels is low and assertive, and the Freestyle looks ready for the road.

Front and rear overhangs are a little longer than you'd expect in either a minivan or in an SUV. That means that parking the Freestyle requires a bit more care, and despite the all-wheel drive designation, don't even dream of off-roading in a Freestyle. Approach and departure angles (27.2 and 20.2 degrees, respectively) aren't ideal, and ground clearance is given as 8" at the rear axle, but looks to be less at other points in the undercarriage. Freestyle will be happiest on the pavement.

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This is the nicest interior of any Ford vehicle in years. Once you get past the splash of fake wood on the center stack (oh, how I mourn for the acres of fake forest that are felled each year making this fake wood), the dash is very cool, well-constructed and well-arrayed. The black-on-white analog speedometer and tachometer read easily, and a simple two-line information center above the steering wheel is a nice touch. The center stack is dressed with clear, functional switchgear from the Ford parts bin, topped with round air conditioning vents. A sturdy grab bar is recessed into the passenger side of the dash, a very nice touch.

My test vehicle arrived in Limited trim, with leather-trimmed heated seats that were very comfortable, supportive and attractive. Freestyle is set up to seat six passengers, and all six are treated democratically. Front and second row leg, hip, shoulder and head room are nearly the same; the third row gets great head room, about 7" less leg room, 10" less hip room and 8" less shoulder room. There's still room for a pair of medium or small adults to sit comfortably in the way back -- kids and teens won't find many better perches this side of a minivan. Access to the third row is a one-hand affair. The second row splits 50/50, folds and tumbles forward in an instant and leaves a big gap for an easy climb over the flat floor. I'd ride back there, and that's saying something.

As Whitney Houston once sang, didn't we almost have it all? If only Freestyle's driving character lived up to its looks. That 3.0 liter 24 valve V6 under the hood cranks out a respectable 203 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, but mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the results are a little anemic. The CVT does its best to keep the Freestyle's powerplant in the power band, but the poor engine has to work too hard to move the 4112 lb vehicle quietly. The V6 complains with a dissonant racket from under the hood under acceleration, hardly the quiet purr of luxury or the growl of performance.

Freestyle's handling could be better, too. Despite four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson struts up front, multi-link in rear), the Crossover exhibits a good amount of body roll -- not minivan levels by any means, but still a little discomfiting around the curves. A set of sway bars might help. Out on the highway, Freestyle's interior comfort makes it a good companion, as long as you don't need to be lead dog in the pack. Keep a steady pace on level ground, and you'll get a comfortable, smooth ride.

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard, as is electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Be sure to order up the optional $595 Safety Package, which includes a three-row safety canopy air bag to protect in the event of a rollover.

After a week in Freestyle, I think I understand and appreciate my friends' buying decision. Freestyle is useful as a grocery hauler and a kid taxi, but it doesn't advertise "parent mobile" everywhere it goes. With its sophisticated, well-designed interior, Freestyle is a really elegant way to shuttle adults on a evening out. It's an excellent compromise between practicality and appearance.

If you're considering a Freestyle, you can save a few bucks by opting for the SEL trim level rather than Limited, and by choosing front-wheel drive over all-wheel drive. You'll gain a few miles per gallon in the balance, and save up to $4,000 with the FWD SEL's base price of $26,670.

There are other Crossover vehicles to consider. Chrysler's Pacifica takes a very similar approach to the Freestyle, at a competitive price. Mercedes-Benz ups the luxury (and the price) with its R-class. Cadillac's SRX is another luxury entry into the field. The Buick Enclave/Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadia crossovers are closer to SUV territory, as are the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and the quirky Subaru B9 Tribeca. Suzuki's XL-7, Mitsubishi's Outlander and Hyundai's Veracruz are also worth a look. Don't overlook Ford's own Edge, another different take on the equation.

It's ironic that a vehicle called "Freestyle" is actually very much tied to its purpose, and to a lifestyle that is anything but "Freestyle." If you really want "freestyle" living, dump the kids and the dog, get a motorcycle and hit the blue highways. If that's not an option, I guess Ford's Freestyle is one way to go.