Explorer and cousin Mercury Mountaineer are in for a makeover come 2006. Details are unknown now, but the current basic design should get mild-to-moderate styling changes and engineering updates. A full redesign is at least three years away.

Meantime, Explorer gets a car-based companion in the 2005 Freestyle, a crossover wagon based on a platform designed by Ford-owned Volvo. Sized between Explorer and the compact Escape, Freestyle will offer 3-row seating for 6 or 7, choice of front drive or all-wheel drive, and the new "Duratec 30" version of Ford's familiar 3.0-liter V6 coupled with a new continuously variable automatic transmission. Full particulars await this fall's on-sale date, but Ford says SE, SEL and top-shelf Limited trim levels will have standard air conditioning, 17-inch wheels, tumble/fold 2nd-row seats--either a split bench or twin captain's chairs--and a fold-flat 3rd seat with an optional 50/50 split. The SEL adds dual-zone climate control and uplevel trim, while the Limited boasts heated leather seats and premium audio. Full-length curtain side airbags will be available across the board. Keep checking back with us for further details.

Freestyle is expected to be followed for 2007 by a smaller, sporty Ford crossover based on the "CD3" platform designed by affiliate Mazda. It's intended to answer the likes of Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander, and should be close to them in size, price and general character. Lincoln will get an upscale version as a rival for the Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX, and Lexus RX 330. Some underskin components will be shared with Freestyle.