What Is It?
2004 Ford Freestar
What's Special About It?
Ford has clearly been outclassed in the minivan segment for years now. However, there is an advantage to catching up to the competition later rather than sooner. With the Freestar, Ford is able to include virtually every desirable feature from the competitors' minivans, and then improve on them. The Freestar offers fold-flat third-row seating, a feature that not even the class-leading Dodge Grand Caravan offers, but one that is quickly becoming a "must-have" among minivan owners. Ford has been studying other minivans, and as a result the Freestar now has tons of storage bins and holders plus that fold-flat rear seat which can also serve as sort of a tailgate — yet another attribute borrowed from the competition.
The one thing the Windstar did have going for it was an impressive crash safety rating for four front occupants. The Freestar continues Ford's commitment to safety by equipping the van with an available Safety Canopy system that is essentially a side head airbag for all three rows of passengers. In a rollover situation, both sides will deploy and can stay inflated for up to six seconds for added protection.
In recent years, Ford has tripled its budget for interior design — vehicles like the Aviator, Explorer and Navigator are obvious indications that the money was well spent. The Freestar and its sibling, the Mercury Monterey, reap the rewards of Ford's new attention to interior design. Both offer a step up in terms of a higher-quality look and feel. The Freestar's interior actually has a bit of a European flair with chrome-rimmed gauges and a very clean, uncluttered look.
Two engines will be available; the base 3.9-liter produces an adequate 200 horsepower, and there is a new 4.2-liter V6 that makes only one horsepower more but offers a best-in-class 265 pound-feet of torque. The result should be a minivan that feels more powerful than its midpack horsepower number would suggest. The big 4.2-liter engine may be thirsty, but Ford has installed a 26-gallon fuel tank in the Freestar giving it a 500-mile driving range. The Freestar is also available with AdvanceTrac, Ford's stability control system.
Three trim levels will be available on the Freestar; the base LX, the midlevel SE and the more luxurious Limited. The Limited gets two-tone paint and bigger wheels, plus a host of standard equipment that is optional on the LX and SE.
Why Should You Care?
In the past, minivan shoppers had only two serious choices in full-length minivans — Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler vans. With the introduction of the Freestar, as well as new import choices, families who need the comfort and convenience of a minivan now have several great candidates to choose from. — Brian Moody
2004 Ford Freestar
What's Special About It?
Ford has clearly been outclassed in the minivan segment for years now. However, there is an advantage to catching up to the competition later rather than sooner. With the Freestar, Ford is able to include virtually every desirable feature from the competitors' minivans, and then improve on them. The Freestar offers fold-flat third-row seating, a feature that not even the class-leading Dodge Grand Caravan offers, but one that is quickly becoming a "must-have" among minivan owners. Ford has been studying other minivans, and as a result the Freestar now has tons of storage bins and holders plus that fold-flat rear seat which can also serve as sort of a tailgate — yet another attribute borrowed from the competition.
The one thing the Windstar did have going for it was an impressive crash safety rating for four front occupants. The Freestar continues Ford's commitment to safety by equipping the van with an available Safety Canopy system that is essentially a side head airbag for all three rows of passengers. In a rollover situation, both sides will deploy and can stay inflated for up to six seconds for added protection.
In recent years, Ford has tripled its budget for interior design — vehicles like the Aviator, Explorer and Navigator are obvious indications that the money was well spent. The Freestar and its sibling, the Mercury Monterey, reap the rewards of Ford's new attention to interior design. Both offer a step up in terms of a higher-quality look and feel. The Freestar's interior actually has a bit of a European flair with chrome-rimmed gauges and a very clean, uncluttered look.
Two engines will be available; the base 3.9-liter produces an adequate 200 horsepower, and there is a new 4.2-liter V6 that makes only one horsepower more but offers a best-in-class 265 pound-feet of torque. The result should be a minivan that feels more powerful than its midpack horsepower number would suggest. The big 4.2-liter engine may be thirsty, but Ford has installed a 26-gallon fuel tank in the Freestar giving it a 500-mile driving range. The Freestar is also available with AdvanceTrac, Ford's stability control system.
Three trim levels will be available on the Freestar; the base LX, the midlevel SE and the more luxurious Limited. The Limited gets two-tone paint and bigger wheels, plus a host of standard equipment that is optional on the LX and SE.
Why Should You Care?
In the past, minivan shoppers had only two serious choices in full-length minivans — Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler vans. With the introduction of the Freestar, as well as new import choices, families who need the comfort and convenience of a minivan now have several great candidates to choose from. — Brian Moody
Add A Comment »