Background: Falling somewhere between a traditional sport utility, family-friendly minivan and station wagon is the 'crossover' segment, a grouping growing in popularity and availability. The Chrysler Pacifica, Buick Rendezvous and Honda Pilot fall into this category. All offer three rows of seating and decent cargo-carrying abilities when only the first row is occupied. All come with four side doors and cargo door in back. These vehicles feature the versatility of a minivan without the perceived 'soccer mom' stigma.
For the 2005 model year, Ford Motor Co. throws their hat into the ring with the Chicago-built Freestyle. This vehicle is not to be confused with Ford's newly designed minivan with the similar-sounding Freestar name.
The 2005 Freestyle began rolling off the assembly line late last summer. It made headlines locally because Freestyle and with the Ford Five Hundred sedan and Mercury Montego sedan are built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant along Torrence Avenue on Chicago's far southeast side. The facility previously built the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable twin. Five Hundred and Montego eventually will replace the Taurus and Sable in Ford and Mercury's marketing scheme as larger volume sedans. Ford's Mercury division will offer its own version of this crossover architecture in the next couple ofyears.
The country's second largest automaker spent millions of dollars to modernize the Chicago plant into the first flexible car plant at Ford Motor Co. First opened in 1924, the Chicago site needed updating to compete with newer, more modern facilities world wide.
Today, when new auto production plants are built, they are designed with platform flexibility and the ability to react quickly to market changes. Most older plants built in the Twentieth Century were designed to churn out the same model in large quantities over and over again, but switching that same production line to another product in a timely fashion was often cost prohibitive.
Also new to the area is a huge 155-acre supplier campus a half-mile from the assembly plant. The proximity of the park allows quicker turn around and reaction time if a part needs to be shipped, tweaked or updated.
The Freestyle along with the Five Hundred and Montego, are based on Volvo's P2 automotive platform also utilized in the Volvo S80 sedan, Volvo XC90 crossover wagon and S60 R sports sedan. Volvo is a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co. and a member for Ford's Premier Auto Group which also includes Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar.
Traditionally, crossover-type vehicles are derived from an already existing car platform. In the case of Freestyle, the crossover vehicle was created first while the sedan versions (Five Hundred, Montego) grew out from there.
Engine/trim level: One engine powers three Freestyle trim levels (SE, SEL and top-of-the-line Limited). These same trim levels are also shared with the Five Hundred sedan. All are available in front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive (also borrowed from Volvo). The all-wheel-drive version adjusts to driving conditions automatically with no driver input. The 3.0-liter, double overhead cam V-6 generates a comparably modest 203 horsepower.
Front-wheel drive editions garners a 20 miles per gallon fuel rating in the city and 27 m.p.g. highway. The 19 gallon fuel tank accommodates regular, 87-octane unleaded fuel. All-wheel drive versions average 19 m.p.g. city and 24 m.p.g. highway. Continuous variable automatic transmission comes standard.
Standard equipment: All models include: tilt steering column, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo system with compact disc player, power-assist steering, interval wipers, power windows, power side-view mirrors, power locks, electronic cruise control and overhead console. Interestingly, an in-dash navigation system is not offered, but a second-row DVD entertainment center is optional.
Also optional are auxiliary climate control for second and third rows and power moonroof. All-wheel drive adds $1,700 to the bottom line.
Price: Ford dropped off an all-wheel-drive mid-level SEL trim for testing. Starting price checked in at $28,045. After options including leather seating ($795), side air bags ($695), second-row floor console ($95), traction control ($250), 50/50 split third row seating ($115) and front comfort package ($495), the bottom line reached $30,490 after the $650 destination charge was added. A front-wheel-drive SEL lists at $26,420.
The lowest-priced Freestyle, a front-wheel-drive SE starts at $25,020; an all-wheel drive version lists at $26,820. Top-of-the-line Limited front-wheel-drive editions start at $28,620 and all-wheel-drive models will set a check book back $30,420.
During its second-year on the market in the 2005 model, Chrysler introduced a low-priced 'base' edition with a 3.8-liter V-6 and seating for five (no third row) that was not part of the mix the first year. Many families felt priced out of the $30,000-plus starting price when Pacifica debuted in early 2003 as a 2004 model-year product. A front-wheel-drive base version checking in at $24,315. All Pacifica trims also come with the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Inside: The Freestar's power window and lock switches and buttons are on the driver's at the front end of the arm rest. Power outside mirrors are controlled from a knob near the left-side A-pillar.
Freestyle's flat faced, mostly analog instrument panel includes two large circles (speedometer, tachometer) and two smaller gauges towards the top. A square message window along the bottom lists digital messages.
Along the middle top of the dashboard is a storage square with retracting top cover. Four circular vents are interspursed along the front of the dash handle air flow concerns. A stereo system with average sized preset buttons is at the top of the central dash. The ventilation system with a series of buttons controlling temperature and fan speed is below. Near the ceiling map pocket lights are a retracting holder for sunglasses and a fold-down concave mirror useful in keeping an eye on rear seat activities.
Both front and rear wipers active from a flat-head right-side steering column stalk with two rotary dials controlling arm speed. Headlights activate from a circular dial on the dashboard's far left side. The face of the steering wheel includes all cruise control functions on the left side, and secondary radio controls to the right.
In between front bucket seats is a substantial floor console with in-line cupholders, transmission shifter and large storage bin with top-side arm rest. The parking brake is foot operated. Molded map pockets in all four side doors have single cup holder regions.
Passenger seat backs in the first two rows including the front right fold flat creating a large flat plane. In the second row, two bucket seats come standard while a 60/40 split bench seat is optional. Third-row seating stows flat into the floor in bench (standard in SE and SEL) or split 50/50 fold design (optional in SEL and standard in Limited). With third-row seats in use, the area in back still accomodates 22.5 cubic feet of storage (including a handy scooped ravine) , the largest in its class.
Second-row seats tumble forward once seatbacks are folded down via a pull-strap at the back base of the seat creating a useable aisle to the standard third row of seats when needed. Maneuvering into the two-passenger third row is easier than in other competitors. Third-row head and leg room is surprisingly plentiful. Third row seats are not designed to be used as flip-out tailgate seating.
Freestyle's theater-seat design creates a setting where riders are two-inches higher than the row ahead.
Outside: Traditionally, crossover vehicles tend to incorporate more SUV-like exterior nuances rather than a minivan. All four doors swing out as with conventional sedans (and SUVs). A slanted rear "C" pillar in back provides a sporty flair. In front, Freestyle incorporates a honeycomb grille with Ford's familiar blue oval logo front and center. Smaller sized (at least for an SUV-type vehicle) square-shaped headlight housing flanks the grille. All four side doors sport body-colored, strap-like handles; breakaway sideview mirrors are body colored as well.
The circular fuel tank door is on the right-side rear fender. The back hatch, hinged at the top opens manually from the bottom. Square taillight housing wraps around to the side fenders.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 112.9 inches
Width: 74.4 inches
Height: 64.9 inches
Length: 199.8 inches
Ground clearance: 6.3 inches
Curb weight: 4,112 pounds
Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds
Safety: All three trims include: four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, child safety rear door locks, remote keyless entry, anti-theft system and dual-level driver and passenger front air bags. Seat-deployed side air bags for front driver and front passengers and side curtain canopy air bags for all three rows of seating are optional. Also optional are power adjustable pedals and a 'beeping' rear sensing system.
Warranty: Fords powertrain and limited warranty work is covered for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). Corrosion coverage is good for five years with unlimited mileage restrictions.
Final thoughts: Freestyle does a better-than-average job with ingress and egress. The hip-to-ground ratio is lower than Ford's popular Explorer sport utility, which basically translates into an easier time sliding in and out with no 'jump up' motion or running boards needed.
At 4,112 pounds, this is not a lightweight sports car designed for overly aggressive maneuvers. It's also not intended to challenge Grand Canyon-type off-road courses. However, all-wheel drive keeps footing solid during heavy snowfall or icy conditions found on road here in the midwest. Ford projects all-wheel drive will account for approximately 40 percent of Freestyle sales. Driver's will also enjoy more responsive steering than what's normally felt in a traditional minivan.
Be aware of the many different equipment packages and seating varieties available before visiting the showroom. |