As any good family vehicle should, the 2005 Ford Freestyle is designed to offer its occupants excellent crash protection. The structure employs a version of Volvo's Side Impact Protection System, and a package including side airbags and a Safety Canopy with rollover protection for all three rows is available. All 2005 Ford Freestyles will be equipped with power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, tilt steering, cruise control, a CD player, floor mats, privacy glass and alloy wheels. Stepping up from SE to SEL trim, buyers receive appearance upgrades inside and out, automatic headlamps, dual-zone air conditioning, a message center, premium sound with an in-dash CD changer, Homelink universal transmitter, and leather wrapping for the steering wheel and gear shifter. Limited adds a monochromatic exterior, 18-inch wheels, heated exterior mirrors, an Audiophile sound system, automatic dual-zone climate control, heated perforated leather seating, a 50/50 third row seat, a power passenger seat, an outside temperature gauge, and special cream-colored gauges. On the Limited, simulated burled wood interior trim replaces the faux carbon fiber of the SE and SEL. In addition to AWD and the Safety Canopy package, options include power adjustable pedals for the driver, a DVD entertainment system, a moonroof, a reverse sensing system, and rear air conditioning. The 2005 Ford Freestyle takes on the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Highlander when it goes on sale in the fall of 2004. Except for the powertrain, the stats for which are lackluster on paper, it appears upon initial inspection that Ford has crafted a competitive crossover package. --Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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