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The
automatic transmission system has an infinite number
of shifting points so there's no sense of a power
surge revving up from one gear to the next. Rather,
there's virtually no perceptible change during acceleration,
just a smooth move up to speed that lets the newly-refined
3.0-liter Duratec 30, 24-valve engine seamlessly
take advantage of every possible fuel-saving gear
point. "Awesome," was one tester's initial
reaction. The system lets the Freestyle delivers
about 20 city/27 highway miles per gallon, or about
one mpg less with all-wheel-drive.
If
there's a downside to the Freestyle, it's the lack
of a larger engine than the 200 horsepower (200
lb. ft. of torque) V-6 that's standard in all models.
Expect to hear some grousing about that until the
automaker reneges and accommodates (although it
could dent Ford's corporate average fuel economy
rating). Yes, the AWD model has a tow capability,
sort of. Limited to 2000 pounds, you could haul
a small, open trailer with a curio cabinet that
simply wouldn't fit inside the roomy interior, but
not much more.
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The
Freestyle features Theater-style seating for
up to 7 passengers.
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But
for families of six or seven (depending on second
row captain's or bench seating), including a tall
teen in row three, or a couple of St. Bernards,
or a load of plywood for that basement project,
or six months worth of groceries, or -- you get
idea. One really couldn't go wrong.
We
thoroughly enjoyed the fluid ride, spacious interior,
quick seating change ease, and thoughtful amenities
that put it ahead of the pack. We didn't log enough
miles at one sitting to judge the long range comfort
quality, although short-term felt fine. That could
be a trip for another day. And with the Volvo underpinnings,
we would feel secure in taking it off a pavement-only
venue when we did.
Will
this crossover get the blood boiling with the same
fervor as, say, a new generation Mustang or Ford's
pricey screamer GT? Of course not. But given the
opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Freestyle
again for some serious additional test driving,
we'd take up the offer in a minute. Heck, we might
even take it away from the road long enough to slap
aside a few pine boughs.
For
More Information Click: Ford
Freestyle
For the Ford 2005 Model Guide
: Click
Here
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