Ford's entry into the crossover market: the 2005 Freestyle

Pine boughs bend as the speeding vehicle careens along a double dirt track lane, then slap back at empty air. The blur of steel that sent them in motion is far ahead, unhampered by the rutted ground underneath. A hint of fog shrouded mountains in the distance suggest this is truly the kind of back country trek not for the timid. The fast-paced foray along this wilderness path leaves little doubt this is a display of "no boundaries" capability. Or at least hand-shaking familiarity with it.

OK. So we saw the commercial, too. And Ford can be forgiven for implying there's the same kind of ruggedness it prides its "no boundaries" off-roaders for having. Association for any auto maker is part of the name of the game.

Our test drive of Ford's new "multi-dimensional" Freestyle utility vehicle in Great Lakes country (lotsa water, no mountains) was a kinder, gentler type of foray. Our path encompassed urban roads with wind buffeted traffic signals and Interstate trenches that can make a back country wilderness seem tame by comparison.

Overall, we liked what we tried.

Freestyle is the vehicle from Ford that was a long time coming in the booming crossover category,the latest must-have for any serious vehicle manufacturer. Ford's version is sandwiched comfortably between the smaller, more rugged Escape and larger, Explorer, with an eye obviously cast on achieving the same kind of mass popularity of both with a welcomed vehicle that's been missing from the lineup.

Consumers these days who avoid minivans like the plague and have tired of the rougher ride of many truckier sport utility vehicles still want the punch of owning something that looks like one. Crossovers, mostly on auto underpinnings, have moved in to fill the pipeline with a widely varied range of vehicles from wagon-sized to big boxes that all offer something, but not everything.

Though SUV in style, the 2005 Freestyle is built on the same chassis as the Ford 500 sedan.

Freestyle, trumpeted by Ford as "Goes Anywhere," and "Holds Everything," gets close. With Freestyle, what you get is a good looking truck substitute one wouldn't mistake for an auto outfitted as a wagon. With its solid, SUV-type face and sporty accessories, it won't settle into the minivan mold. With its silky driving dynamics we'll get to a bit later there's not a hint of bucking bounce, just the easy driving comfort of a luxurious sedan.

And despite an overload of choices in competitive showrooms (Chrysler's Pacifica is a prime target), Freestyle should elbow its way into a prime, big numbers spot with some real consumer potential. For one thing, its seating height is just right with a low step-in that doesn't look it. It's easy to get into and out of without having to bend down as one would with an automobile, or use a grab handle to hoist oneself into a loftier SUV. Just open the door and scootch across -- freehand at that.

Exterior design is perhaps safer than some Ford offerings of the past, but mighty attractive nonetheless. It has the kind of understated, yet solid styling, trimmed with roof rails and 17- or 18-inch wheels, that promises to wear well over time. (CONTINUE...)