Click HERE to see a video on the Ford Freestyle.

The SUV alternative


Those that follow the automobile market may have noticed a resurgence of station wagons and wagon/minivan-like vehicles over the past few years. If you ask me, I would say it looks like the wagons are back but camouflaged into half SUVs/half minivans. The market is constantly evolving in the attempt to answer to a more demanding consumer. People's needs have not really changed, they have only progressed. During the 70s and 80s, huge land-yacht station wagons were in everyone's driveways. The saying goes that history repeats itself. In this case, customers want big family haulers...just not the ones their parents had. Enter the crossover minivan/SUV/station wagon.

Ford's Freestyle is in essence both the station wagon version of the Five-Hundred and the Chrysler Pacifica's direct competitor. SUVs have a bad rap and it is my guess that more and more people will consider the less offensive looking crossover vehicles. The Freestyle squeezes between the Escape and Explorer in Ford's line-up.

The price range of the Freestyle begins at $33,295 and climbs to over $44,500 when fully optioned out. The loaner for the week's test was an SEL AWD that retails for $38,210. Ford's basic warranty is 3 years / 60 000 km and the powertrain coverage is of 5 years / 100 000 km.

Exterior styling

I find the Freestyle to be very handsome. As much as the Five Hundred left me indifferent, the Freestyle seems to have been better thought out. Its shape and lines are simple and elegant. Although Ford qualifies the Freestyle as an SUV, it really could only be categorized as a large wagon because of its low ground clearance and absolute lack of truck-like attributes. To attract a buyer that would never purchase a wagon, Ford tacked on fender flares and a would-be push bar integrated into the front bumper. These cues work to remove the softness of the Freestyle's shape; however it would never pass as an SUV.

For some reason, the doors, especially in the rear, would not close unless they would be slammed shut. The hatch is very heavy and requires a lot of time to open. Ingress and egress are easy thanks to the Freestyle's low stance.


Interior styling

Interior plastics are regrettably cheaper than they look. The dash and door panels are well assembled. Ergonomics and layout are straight out of a Five-Hundred. This means that HVAC and radio controls are within easy reach and simple to use. Some of the buttons and knobs feel substandard but they get the job done. The gauges, exactly like the Five-Hundred, are as unadorned as possible. There is no redline, an indicated top speed of only 200 km/h, topped off with no fancy trim or lighting.