Rather than plowing its way through a corner, the Freestar grips the pavement and points its nose in the desired direction. There's certainly noticeable body lean and steering input is not responded to as quickly or precisely as would be in a premium sports car, but hey, this is a family hauling minivan so get over it - at least that's what I told myself. There is absolutely nothing here that Ford shouldn't be proud of when it comes to driving dynamics. Even the 4-spoke steering wheel impressed me. It was comfortable to grip, pleasing to look at and housed audio and cruise control buttons.

There is absolutely nothing here that Ford shouldn't be proud of when it comes to driving dynamics. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Drivers of SUVs, minivans and the like all benefit from elevated driving positions and the Freestar is no different. On a gray, rainy afternoon, maximum visibility is essential and the Ford's windows are big, very big. They seem to reach far down the side of the vehicle allowing a panoramic view in all directions.

The headrests don't even need to be removed to fold the Freestar's third-row seats flat. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Whether the view includes a newly paved road or a rudimentary goat track - the best description I can come up with for some of the secondary roads around Vancouver -Freestar passengers will also enjoy a smooth and controlled ride, even if seated in the third-row seat at the back of the bus. To this end Ford boasts about the rigidity of the van's chassis and the refinement of its suspension design, and now I have little doubt that much work was done in these areas. In my opinion the Freestar is one of the better riding minivans on the market today.

A few years back Honda pioneered a third-row seat that disappeared into the floor. Ford, while initially seeming like a copycat in adopting the tumble under arrangement, truly has taken the ease-of-operation factor a step or two forward. With the consecutive pull of a couple of straps, the Freestar's third-row seat does a 180-degree flip and accordions backward into the tub, leaving a flat floor behind the second row of seats. The headrests don't even need to be removed. For maximum cargo hauling capacity, the second row of seats can easily be removed. Doing so will allow 3,795 liters (134 cubic feet) of whatever you desire to be stacked in the rear.