Ford Freestar.(Update: minivan)(Product/Service Evaluation)

Highs | Interior versatility, access, crash-test results. Lows | Noisy engine, unsettled ride, turning circle, value.

Billed by Ford as a new model, the Freestar is really just an evolution of the Windstar minivan, with a revised interior, a third-row Seat that folds into the floor, and a larger optional engine.

Overall, the Freestar doesn't compete well with the best minivans, such as the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey Among the eight minivans we've tested, it scored above only the Kia Sedona. The engine is noisy and the interior fit and finish are not up to that of the better models. The Windstar's reliability has been subpar since its introduction in 1994. The Mercury Monterey is basically the same vehicle as the Freestar but with slightly different styling details.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Freestar has an unsettled ride, though bumps are reasonably well-absorbed. Uneven pavement induces a side-to-side rocking that becomes tiring; road noise is audible on most surfaces,

Overall handling is sound, with restrained body lean in corners and responsive steering. Emergency handling was secure, with the optional stability control helping the Freestar post a modest speed in our avoidance maneuver.

The optional 201-hp, 4.2-liter V6 in our Freestar provides good performance, but it sounds and feels harsh. A 3.9-liter V6 is standard. The four-speed automatic shifts smoothly but isn't as refined as that of the class leaders. Out Freestar got 17 mpg overall. Braking distances were very good on dry pavement and just a bit longer on Net. The low- and high-beam halogen headlights illuminate an average