As for Martens' second claim -- that Freestyle therefore has ''the strongest potential to define the crossover market, much like the Ford Explorer defined SUVs a decade ago'' -- well, the jury's still out on that one.
On top of all the things that matter in this segment (more on that in a minute), Freestyle also comes with a feature that should be more common on family vehicles in this country -- all-wheel-drive.
Whether or not Freestyle reaches iconic status in the crossover segment, it surely deserves to be popular with consumers looking for a mid-priced, mid-size family vehicle capable of significant versatility.
Martens says Freestyle ''blends the aspirational looks of a sport utility vehicle, the versatility of a minivan and the confidence of an all-wheel-drive sedan. ''
In his view, Freestyle also sets an ''impressive benchmark for comfort, versatility and safety because it can carry seven adults in comfort, its fully functional, fold-in-floor third-row seating provides flexible cargo-carrying capacity, and because it's packed with industry-leading safety technology pioneered by Ford and Volvo, including an exclusive three-row side curtain air-bag system.''
Freestyle also moves the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) more into the mainstream, and that's a good thing because that has significant real world fuel economy applications.
The versatile new product is a cornerstone in Ford's Year of the Car in 2004. Freestyle is one of five new car and crossover products that will lead Ford showrooms into a dynamic 2005 model year as Ford dealers replace more than 60 percent of their total volume with fresh new vehicles by the end of 2004.
But the key to a crossover is its packaging, which has to bow in the general direction of a station wagon and a minivan. On that front, Freestyle does very well.
-It has a multitude of seating configurations for hauling people, cargo or a combination of both, plus the cargo capacity of a full-size sport utility vehicle with its seats folded.
-Because Freestyle's so tall (i.e. has a significant distance between the bottom and the top of the vehicle) and because Ford was smart, the design allows for what Martens calls ''natural, upright command seating in all three rows for easy entry and exit, long-range comfort and maximum visibility.''
-There is also fairly good legroom in the second and third rows, but it's a bit of a stretch to say -- as Ford does -- that this is a car for seven adults. A carefully selected group of average size adults perhaps, but not a random sampling.
On top of all the things that matter in this segment (more on that in a minute), Freestyle also comes with a feature that should be more common on family vehicles in this country -- all-wheel-drive.
Whether or not Freestyle reaches iconic status in the crossover segment, it surely deserves to be popular with consumers looking for a mid-priced, mid-size family vehicle capable of significant versatility.
Martens says Freestyle ''blends the aspirational looks of a sport utility vehicle, the versatility of a minivan and the confidence of an all-wheel-drive sedan. ''
In his view, Freestyle also sets an ''impressive benchmark for comfort, versatility and safety because it can carry seven adults in comfort, its fully functional, fold-in-floor third-row seating provides flexible cargo-carrying capacity, and because it's packed with industry-leading safety technology pioneered by Ford and Volvo, including an exclusive three-row side curtain air-bag system.''Freestyle also moves the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) more into the mainstream, and that's a good thing because that has significant real world fuel economy applications.
The versatile new product is a cornerstone in Ford's Year of the Car in 2004. Freestyle is one of five new car and crossover products that will lead Ford showrooms into a dynamic 2005 model year as Ford dealers replace more than 60 percent of their total volume with fresh new vehicles by the end of 2004.
But the key to a crossover is its packaging, which has to bow in the general direction of a station wagon and a minivan. On that front, Freestyle does very well.
-It has a multitude of seating configurations for hauling people, cargo or a combination of both, plus the cargo capacity of a full-size sport utility vehicle with its seats folded.
-Because Freestyle's so tall (i.e. has a significant distance between the bottom and the top of the vehicle) and because Ford was smart, the design allows for what Martens calls ''natural, upright command seating in all three rows for easy entry and exit, long-range comfort and maximum visibility.''
-There is also fairly good legroom in the second and third rows, but it's a bit of a stretch to say -- as Ford does -- that this is a car for seven adults. A carefully selected group of average size adults perhaps, but not a random sampling.