With the trunk area visually sectioned off by a wide, slanted "C" pillar behind the first two rows of seats, its size is deceptive. Its exterior appearance doesn't adequately reveal the surprising amount of easy access hauling space inside, especially with the third row of seating secreted into the rear floor and all other passenger seating folded flat.

Besides maxing out spacewise at just short of 10 feet front-to-back with seats down, it's just loaded with nifty nooks and crannies for stashing stuff. There's a really usable pop-open shallow bin atop the center dash, and a dozen cupholders. Map pockets abound. And you don't mash your cell phone cord if you charge it while you're driving. The front seat's center console with one of three power points has a notch so the lid can be closed.

Behind the wheel, there's evidence of Volvo heritage in the crispness and handling, with a wider stance compensating somewhat for the taller profile. Freestyle's foundation is the same as the new companion Ford Five Hundred sedan. Both are on a derivative of Volvo's XC90 crossover architecture noted for solid handling characteristics. Volvo's presence also is evident in Freestyle's stiff chassis structural safety design, augmented by an available, full-length side "safety canopy" airbag system and a driver sensing adaptive steering column for accident protection. With Ford now owning Volvo, it was only a matter of time before such synergies began to appear.

The interior of the Freestyle is enjoyable and pleasing to both drivers and passengers.

Inside, Ford borrows from the DNA of its true off-roader kin for a sports-capable feel. Instrument panel and gauges have a clean, uncluttered look, anchored by a dash-mounted passenger grab handle and floor console shifter.

The front-drive Freestyle comes in three trim levels, SE, SEL and Limited. All-wheel-drive versions use the same system as Volvo's. Our early production test vehicle was the top-of-the-line front-drive Limited with 18-inch wheels and a base price of $28,545. The total, including $650 in destination and delivery charges, was $30,315. But our test car price included a reverse sensing system ($250), memory adjustable pedals to fit drivers of any size ($175), and safety package ($695) with side curtain airbags. Adding the active all-wheel-drive system would have raised the bar by $1,700.

Depending on version, other amenities available on this crossover include leather trim, heated seats, rear air conditioning, moonroof and electronic message center, and an overhead console with a small convex "conversation" mirror to monitor the brat pack in back.

A word of caution here. Sampling too many goodies at the deli counter could load up the pricetag into a range that would defeat one of the Freestyle's main attractions: A lot of vehicle for a comparitively modest amount of money, with an entry level base at about $25,000.

Ford, riding on the success of its fuel conserving hybrid-powered Escape, has put a different type of conservation into the Freestyle with what it calls the industry's only continuously variable transmission (CVT) in a crossover class vehicle that's expected to help Freestyle meet strict California LEV II low emissions standards.

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