An improved and renamed minivan.

Introduction

Freestar is the new name for Ford's minivan. It previously was the Windstar, but Ford marketers claim the minivan was so radically changed that it warranted a new name. However, the Freestar is really a Windstar, albeit a much improved one. 

The improvements move the Ford Freestar closer to par with its prime competitors, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, but do not leapfrog it ahead of them. 

Ford also renamed the Freestar to fit into its new naming structure. Ford's car-like vehicles start with the letter F: Focus, the upcoming Freestyle crossover vehicle and the Futura sedan. Sport-utilities will start with an E: Explorer, Expedition, Escape. 

On the road, the new Ford Freestar is smooth and quiet. It glides over rough pavement, it offers responsive handling and the availability of a big V6. The Freestar's best feature is its interior ambience, an elegant cabin trimmed in high-quality materials. A clever third row that disappears into the floor, a cargo well behind the third row to contain groceries, and lots of interior storage add convenience. 

Lineup

Ford has revamped its minivan line to five models: the base Freestar S; the mid-level SE and SES, expected to be the most popular; and the up-level SEL and Limited, which are designed to compete with the luxury Chrysler Town & Country. 

The Freestar S ($23,775), likely to represent only about 10 percent of all Freestar sales, comes standard with a new 3.9-liter V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch wheels and tires, air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and a third-row seat that folds into the floor or turns backward to form a tailgate bench seat. The entry-level price for Freestar is $705 more than a comparable 2003 Windstar. 

The SE ($26,245) adds: remote keyless entry system; cruise control; roof rack; privacy glass; and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. The SE is nearly equivalent to the 2003 Windstar LX but is priced $70 less. 

The Freestar SES ($28,065) includes all the SE equipment plus air conditioning with tri-zone temperature control, driving lamps, power driver's seat, five-spoke aluminum sport wheels, and a unique grille, bumpers and trim treatment. Freestar SES is nearly equivalent to the 2003 Windstar LX Deluxe but is priced $195 more. 

The Freestar SEL ($29,310) includes many SES features plus a 4.2-liter V6 engine, first- and second-row bucket seats, keyless entry keypad, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio controls, cornering lamps, an overhead console with a compass and outside temperature display and an AM/FM stereo with cassette, CD player and rear seat audio controls. The Freestar SEL is priced $80 higher than a 2003 Windstar SE. 

The top-of-the-line Limited ($32,945) includes all SEL equipment plus power sliding rear passenger doors, electronic automatic climate control, power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, unique interior trim, including leather seating surfaces, two-tone exterior treatment and power heated signal mirrors with puddle lamps. The Freestar Limited is priced $1,880 less than a 2003 Windstar Limited. 

Prices listed do not include incentives that were included as soon as the vehicles were launched. Initially, Ford was offering customers the choice of $1,000 in cash or financing rates as low as 2.9 percent for 60 months. Those incentives could fluctuate through the year, however. 

Available individual options include: a DVD rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones ($1,395); and a six-disc CD changer ($150). Options for late-2004 models include a power liftgate and a Class II towing package ($335) that will boost the towing capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds. A Memory Package is available that includes adjustable pedals and a memory system for the driver's seat, pedals and exterior mirrors. 

Safety features include dual front airbags and standard anti-lock brakes on all versions of the Freestar. Ford's optional Safety Canopy ($695) curtain airbag system runs the length of the minivan on both sides and includes sensors that monitor a rollover. If a rollover is detected, the air bags deploy from the headliner and stay inflated for up to six seconds and can protect the heads of occupants in all three rows. Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front passengers complement the Safety Canopy. 

While the Freestar has not yet been crash tested by the federal government, Ford anticipates it to perform well as did the Windstar. The Windstar had two top five-star ratings for front passengers and two four-star ratings for rear passengers. 

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) come standard on all Freestars. Other active safety features available include Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability control ($395), Panic Brake Assist, and a Reverse Sensing System that detects objects behind the vehicle when backing up. Self-sealing tires ($280) and turn-signal indicato. 

Walkaround

The Ford Freestar barely looks any different from the Windstar. It is based on the Windstar and, in fact, the only exterior parts that are new are the hood, grille and headlamps, front fenders and rear liftgate. 

The Freestar sticks with a traditional, mainstream minivan styling formula, which generally has been more popular than radically different ones, at least until this summer's introduction of the dramatically designed Nissan Quest. 

One distinguishing feature of the Freestar is an odd one. The front side windows lower below the inside portion of the door trim so when the window is fully down, the sill protrudes up. Designers say it was done to create an armrest of a comfortable height. 

A power liftgate will be offered on the Freestar late in the model year. 

Interior

The Freestar's interior is trimmed in high-quality materials. It looks elegant, with a delicate watch-like clock in the center dashboard as its focal point. The Freestar is a beneficiary of the increased spending Ford Motor Co. has been putting into interiors. The Freestar interior represents a dramatic upgrade over the Windstar interior. 

The Freestar seats seven passengers: two in front, two in the second row and three in the third row. The second row comes standard with a bench seat. Captain's chairs, standard on the SEL and Limited, slide horizontally on rails. They also fold and tumble forward like those on the Ford Explorer and Expedition for easy access to the third row or extra cargo space. 

While the Windstar had a bulky removable third-row seat, the Freestar has a third-row seat that folds into a well behind the seat, creating a flat floor like that in the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Nissan Quest. Ford's fold-flat seat may well be best in class in terms of operation. By pulling straps numbered in sequence with numbers 1, 2 and 3 clearly noted, the seat drops easily into the wheel. 

Another plus is that Ford designed third-row head restraints that push deeper into the seat so they don't require removal to fold the seat, as other minivans do. The third-row seat can be dropped backwards to create seating for tailgate parties. 

With the third-row seat in place for passengers, the well behind it has about 25 cubic feet of cargo space, an extremely handy spot for groceries. No more melons rolling about. The cargo volume expands to 135 cubic feet when the third-row seat is folded and second-row seats are removed (possible but clumsy for one person). 

The downside of Ford's third-row seat, however, is its short height compared with the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. As a result, even people with relatively normal length legs will feel like their knees sit too high. The seats works fine for small children. 

Seat comfort throughout the Freestar, as was the case with the Windstar, is not exceptional. The second-row captain's chairs seems too narrow. The driver's seat also seems designed for a slim person. 

Storage space is abundant throughout the Freestar. It includes bins in the rear sliding doors for books and toys. Front doors have double map pockets, one above the other. On the dash is a covered storage compartment for small items like cell phones. The drivers' seat on the Limited model has a kangaroo pouch at the front of the cushion. 

The Freestar has numerous cupholders, including front door holders for 20-ounce bottles. Some of the beverage holders, particularly those in the far back are awkwardly positioned, however. Well positioned and well built are sturdy cupholders that fold down from the sides of the second-row captain's chairs. If kicked, as they likely will be, they snap back into storage against the seats. 

Driving Impression

Beneath the Ford Freestar's mildly revised skin is the same front-wheel-drive architecture used for the Windstar. But many improvements have been made. 

Two engines are available. The standard 3.9-liter V6 generates 193 horsepower and 245 lbs.-ft. of torque. Optional is a 4.2-liter V6 that delivers 201 horsepower and 263 lbs.-ft of torque. Neither engine matches the horsepower of the new Nissan Quest, rated at 240 horsepower, nor the redesigned Toyota Sienna at 230 horsepower. Torque is competitive, however. (Torque is that force that propels you from intersections and up steep grades, so torque is important.) Freestar's 4.2-liter V6 is the largest displacement for a minivan and is likely the best choice for highway cruising, passing on freeways and towing. 

The automatic transmission shifts smoothly. All Freestars come with a four-speed automatic transmission. Ford claims consumer research showed minivan buyers didn't care whether their automatic is a four-speed or five-speed, which other manufacturers offer, as long as the shifts were smooth. 

The Freestar is extremely quiet. It's on par with the new Toyota Sienna. The only exception is that the engine roars a tad too loudly and truck-like under hard acceleration. 

The Freestar's ride is smooth. It glided over the rough pavement of Michigan's Interstate 94. Steering is much more responsive than the Windstar. 

Summary

While the Freestar is much improved from the Windstar, it doesn't feature much innovation above and beyond its competitors. Still it is a solid performer and former Windstar owners will appreciate the improvements. 

Model Lineup

Ford Freestar S ($24,460); SE ($26,245); SES ($28,065); SEL ($28,065); Limited ($32,945). 

Assembled In

Oakville, Ontario, Canada. 

Options As Tested

Active Safety Package II ($750) includes AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, traction control, panic brake assist and reverse sensing system; Memory Package ($305) includes adjustable pedals and memory system for driver's seat, pedals and exterior mirrors; DVD rear-seat entertainment with wireless remote ($1,395); Safety Canopy side air curtain with rollover sensor plus front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags ($695); 6-disc CD changer ($150); Value Group III ($240) includes Homelink transmitter for garage doors and perimeter anti-theft system; deluxe roof rack ($95); power front passenger seat ($305); floor console ($150); 17-inch aluminum wheels ($245); heated front seats ($245).