2005 Ford Freestar Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Ford carries its minivan into 2005 virtually unchanged. Mercury has a version called Monterey. Freestar comes in S, SE, SES, SEL, and Limited trim levels. All have 7-passenger capacity and include 2nd-row 2-passenger bench seat or two 2nd-row bucket seats. The 3rd-row bench folds into the floor. The 3rd-row bench also flips for rear-facing "tailgate" seating under the open liftgate. Power operation is available for the sliding side doors. S, SE, and SES models have a 193-hp 3.9-liter V6. SEL and Limited models use a 201-hp 4.2-liter V6. A 4-speed automatic is the sole transmission. All-wheel drive is not offered, but antiskid control is available. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows are optional; they are designed to deploy in a side impact or when sensors detect an impending rollover. Rear DVD entertainment is optional. Options include a rear cargo organizer and 17-inch alloy wheels vs. standard 16s. Freestar is also available in 2-seat Cargo trim.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Long the choice as the family hauler, Minivans are easily the smartest use of space for passengers and cargo. These vehicles offer a fantastic blend of comfort, convenience, and safety features for the modern family.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Honda Odyssey. Recommended picks are the Mazda MPV and Toyota Sienna.

News

Despite lackluster sales, Freestar and Mercury Monterey probably won't change much through 2008. At that point, sources say, Ford will introduce new minivans patterned on the recent Fairlane concept, likely as 2009 models. Expected features include boxy styling with a much lower and wider stance than the minivan norm, plus standard three-row seating. Contrary to earlier reports, the replacements will be based on a reengineered Volvo platform rather than a Mazda-sourced design. Freestar may pick up the Freestyle name from Ford's current car-based crossover wagon, which has also been a sales dud. Reports have the new minivans being planned for the Ford and Lincoln nameplates, but say nothing so far about a Mercury version.

2005 Ford Freestar Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

SEL	Class Average
5	4.2

Only models with 4.2-liter V6 made available for testing so far. With this engine, Freestar and Monterey have sufficient power for most driving situations. Transmission delivers smooth, prompt shifts.

Fuel Economy

SEL	Class Average
4	4

Test Monterey with 4.2 V6 averaged 16.6 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Both V6s use regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

SEL	Class Average
5	5.5

Long wheelbase provides stable ride, though sharp bumps and ruts register sharply. We have not tested a Freestar with optional 17-inch tires. Body structure transmits unpleasant vibration on coarse pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

SEL	Class Average
4	4.4

Handling is merely competent, with noticeable body lean in turns. Smooth, progressive brake-pedal feel, but stopping power unexceptional.

Quietness

SEL	Class Average
5	5.4

V6 sounds coarse and strained when cold or under full throttle. Very little wind noise at highway speeds. Road noise modest in front, but much louder in back. Despite upscale positioning, Monterey seems only marginally quieter than Freestar overall.

Controls

SEL	Class Average
6	6.1

Freestar and Monterey share dashboard design. Instrument layout clear. Most controls handy and well-marked, but those for climate system mounted too low for easy driver access. Mercury version has more bright interior trim than Ford model and some slightly richer-feeling materials, but in general, both Freestar and Monterey cabins abound with budget-grade plastic.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

SEL	Class Average
7	6.3

Height-adjustable seats and power-adjustable pedals standard on uplevel models, available as options on most others, and allow ample seating adjustment. Very tall drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel, however. Available cooled front seats exclusive to Monterey work quickly for added comfort in hot weather. Outward visibility good to all directions. Monterey comes with front and rear obstacle detection vs. Freestar's available rear-only system.

Room/Comfort (rear)

SEL	Class Average
7	6.7

Seats nicely padded, supportive in both 2nd and 3rd rows. Available second-row buckets slide fore and aft a few inches, but leg room is limited for tall adults. Fold and tumble 2nd-row seats make 3rd-row access easier. Third row best suited to children and small adults. Rear-folding "tailgate" capability a fun feature.

Cargo Room

SEL	Class Average
9	9.4

Lots of space even with all seats in place, thanks to deep floorwell required to house folded 3rd row. Second-row seats remove or can tumble forward without the need to remove headrests. Third row folds easily into floorwell. No excess of interior bins and pockets. Usefulness of center console between front seats undercut by intrusive parking brake lever. Folding third-row seat exposes two metal sidewall brackets that intrude into cargo space.

Value within Class

SEL	Class Average
5	5.8

Freestar and Monterey can't match such rivals as the Honda Odyssey or Dodge Caravan for driving enjoyment, or Toyota Sienna for refinement. On the upside, these Ford and Mercury minivans boast some laudable safety and convenience features, base prices are competitive, and discounts should be available.

Total Score

SEL	Class Average
57	57.8

Scores for all Minivans

Low Score		45
Average Score		57
High Score		70

2005 Ford Freestar Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/14/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Cargo 4-door van	$21,630	$19,746	$710

S 4-door van	$23,930	$22,271	$710

SE 4-door van	$26,530	$24,107	$710

SES 4-door van	$28,030	$25,442	$710

SEL 4-door van	$29,030	$26,332	$710

Limited 4-door van	$32,755	$29,647	$710

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Cargo

Powertrain

3.9-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 235/60R16 tires, wheel covers.

S adds to Cargo:

Safety

Tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

7-passenger seating, 2nd-row bench seat, 3rd-row stowable bench seat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

225/60R16 tires.

SE adds to S:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, map lights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear privacy glass, roof rails.

SES adds to SE:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Rear air conditioning, tri-zone manual climate controls (including rear controls), 6-way power driver seat, conversation mirror.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

235/60R16 tires, alloy wheels.

SEL adds to SES:

Powertrain

4.2-liter V6 engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, 2nd-row captain chairs, keypad entry, illuminated visor mirrors, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic headlights, cornering lights.

Limited adds to SEL:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power sliding rear doors, rear radio controls, trip computer, analog clock.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Value Group
Cargo	$690	$587
Cruise control, rear privacy glass.

Electronics Group
SE, SES	$290	$247
Overhead console, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic headlights. SE requires rear air conditioning.

Value Group I
SES	$245	$208
Power-adjustable pedals, perimeter alarm.

Value Group II
SEL	$750	$638
Power-adjustable pedals, heated power mirrors w/turn signals, puddle lights, automatic day/night rearview mirror, trip computer, perimeter alarm.

Value Group III
Limited	$280	$238
Universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, perimeter alarm.

Active Safety Pkg. I
Cargo, SE, SES	$730	$621
Traction control, brake assist, antiskid system.

Active Safety Pkg. II
SEL, Limited	$975	$829
Active Safety Pkg. I plus rear-obstacle-detection system.

Class II Trailer Towing Pkg.
Limited, SE, SEL, SES	$335	$285
Trailer-tow wiring, heavy-duty cooling and battery. NA Cargo, S.

Safety
Curtain side airbags
Limited, S, SE, SEL, SES	$695	$591
Includes front side airbags. S, SE require rear air conditioning. NA Cargo.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear air conditioning w/tri-zone manual controls
S, SE	$675	$574


Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
SE, SES, SEL, Limited	$1,395	$1,186


Floor console
SE, SES, SEL, Limited	$150	$128


Leather upholstery
SEL	$890	$757


Cloth upholstery
Limited (credit)	$-445	$-378
NA w/Memory Pkg.

Heated front seats
Limited	$245	$208


6-way power driver seat
SE	$325	$277


6-way power passenger seat
SEL, Limited	$305	$259
SEL requires leather upholstery.

2nd-row captain chairs
SE, SES	$795	$676


Memory Pkg.
Limited	$425	$362
Memory system (driver seat, mirrors, pedals). Requires Active Safety Pkg. II, curtain side airbags.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
Cargo	$345	$293
SE, SES, SEL, Limited	$105	$89
SE, SES include rear controls.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
SEL, Limited	$255	$217


Power sliding rear doors
SEL	$900	$765


Power liftgate
SEL, Limited	$400	$340
SEL requires power sliding rear doors.

Cargo-management system
Limited, S, SE, SEL, SES	$125	$107
NA Cargo.

Cargo net
SE, SES, SEL	$25	$22
Std. Limited.

Cargo mat
Limited, S, SE, SEL, SES	$25	$22
NA Cargo.

Smoker's Pkg.
Cargo, Limited, S, SE, SEL, SES	$30	$26
Lighter, ash tray.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
SES	$290	$247


Rear privacy glass
S	$415	$352


Roof rack
SE, SES, SEL, Limited	$95	$81


Class I Trailer Towing Pkg.
SE, SES, SEL, Limited	$95	$81
Trailer tow wiring harness.

Self-sealing tires
SE, SES, SEL, Limited	$280	$238


17-inch alloy wheels
SES, SEL, Limited	$245	$208
Includes 235/55R17 tires.

2005 Ford Freestar Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Ford Freestar 4-door van

Wheelbase, in.	120.8

Overall Length, in.	201.0

Overall Width, in.	76.6

Overall Height, in.	70.8

Curb Weight, lbs.	4275

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	130.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	26.0

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.7

Rear Head Room, in.	40.1

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.9 /232	4.2 /256

Horsepower @ rpm.	193 @ 4500	201 @ 4250

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	240 @ 3750	263 @ 3650

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/23	17/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Ford Freestar 4-door van

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	5/100,000 on Focus. 8/100,000 on Escape Hybrid battery pack. In CA, hybrid components are covered by a 10/150,000 warranty.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/Unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Canada

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2005 Ford Freestar Photos

Also in the 2005 Ford Freestar Review:

Ford Freestar

Ford Freestar Road Test

Ford Freestar Prices & Equipment

Ford Freestar Specs & Safety

Ford Freestar Photos

Ford Freestar Full Review

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