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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2007 Ford Freestyle

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Want to save money? Check out the 2006 Ford Freestyle

Overview

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2007 Ford Freestyle Review

By KBB.com Editors

While the Freestyle may have gotten off to a slow start, current events have placed Ford's newest family hauler squarely on center stage. Sharp upswings in both the cost of fuel and interest rates have pushed the full-sized Sport Utility Vehicle off many families' shopping lists, yet their needs to haul loads of kids and cargo are still of paramount importance. The Freestyle, with its Volvo-derived platform, seven-passenger seating, strong safety rating and fuel-efficient V6, is the perfect solution. It's easy to drive, easy to park, more stylish than a minivan and available with such features as a rear-seat DVD entertainment center and Audiophile sound system. Entry-level models are nicely-equipped and priced within reach of most budgets, while buyers with a bit more cash flow will have a long list of features from which to choose.

You'll Like This Car If...

If your principle concern is outward visibility, the Freestyle's higher seats not only make it easy to enter, but also help open up the view of the road. The availability of an all-wheel drive version gives shoppers who often drive on wet or slippery surfaces an additional dose of confidence.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a true SUV with serious off-road driving capabilities, you will be disappointed by the Freestyle; its capabilities are best suited for the highway and around town.

What's Significant About This Car?

Front side-impact airbags and Safety Canopy head-curtain airbags are added to the standard equipment list, though not until later in the 2007 model run. The Limited trim now wears 18-inch wheels and tires and two new exterior colors are added to the Freestyle's pallet.

Driving the Freestyle

Driving Impressions Occupants enjoy a comfortable highway ride from the Freestyle's relatively taut suspension, though the ride becomes less pleasant on bumpier roads. Deeper potholes will definitely be noticed. Entry and exit...

is exceptionally easy—the tall seats are sheer pleasure for less-agile occupants and the view ahead is virtually unimpaired. Operation of the continuously variable transmission is flawless. Acceleration is more than adequate, and the Freestyle is ready to pass or merge without hesitation. It's an easy vehicle to drive, feeling very car-like and with only a little noise intruding into the cabin.

Favorite Features

Continuously Variable Transmission Coupled with All-Wheel Drive
Early Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) drew criticism for their performance, but the Freestyle unit impressed us. The all-wheel drive system is so transparent that you won't know it's there, but it stands ready to help whenever you encounter a slick surface.

Reverse Sensing System
Helpful rather than intrusive, Ford's optional parking assistance system emits mild-toned beeps when you get too close to the vehicle behind. Even lifelong city drivers, accustomed to parallel parking every day, are likely to welcome this supplementary guidance.

2007 Ford Freestyle Details

Interior

Six passengers have plenty of elbow room inside the Freestyle, even when all three rows of seats are in use. The upright seating position is similar to what's found in a full-fledged SUV, but the low step-in height is more akin to a minivan. Seats fold flat in the rear rows, though not all the way into the floor. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat. Second-row leg space is bountiful, but getting into the third row takes maneuvering skills. The Freestyle can seat seven with the optional second-row bench, which replaces the standard bucket seats.

Exterior

Designed specifically to capture the SUV attributes of cargo space and ride height, the Freestyle offers a squared-off exterior. In a bow to a more "grown-up" car-buying public, the Freestyle exhibits a high, upright profile, which translates to plenty of headroom. Some people will appreciate the clean, simple lines of the exterior profile, especially because it delivers interior roominess, but others may find it a bit plain. With its flared wheel arches and high beltline, the Freestyle is almost SUV-like in appearance.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Freestyle SEL includes Ford's continuously variable transmission (CVT), 17-inch aluminum wheels, keyless entry, alarm, front air conditioning, power mirrors, six-way power driver's seat, tilt steering column, anti-lock brakes (ABS), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary radio controls and an AM/FM/CD audio system. Stepping up to the Limited edition brings dual-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch wheels, fog lamps, body-colored cladding and side mirrors, leather upholstery with heated front seats, a power passenger seat, second-row fore/aft adjustable seating, Audiophile sound system with subwoofer and a six-disc CD changer.

Optional Equipment

Since the Freestyle's standard-equipment list is abundant, the selection of options is relatively modest. Both rear park assist and a power moonroof are available for both the SEL and Limited, leather upholstery may be installed in the SEL model and the Limited can have power-adjustable pedals with a memory feature.. A split-folding three-passenger seat for the second row expands capacity to seven occupants. High-tech options include a backseat DVD entertainment system and GPS navigation. A major option for both SEL and Limited models is a head-curtain airbag system, which covers all three rows of seating.

Under the Hood

Though its numbers don't look impressive on paper, the Freestyle actually performs quite well. Its CVT transmission makes the most of the engine's low-end torque, providing the quick starts needed for passing or crossing busy intersections. On the other hand, Ford's 3.0-liter V6 is far from quiet, especially at full throttle. Unlike with a V8-powered SUV, you will feel a big difference in performance when driving the Freestyle fully loaded with gear and passengers—a disadvantage of the somewhat smaller V6 engine.

3.0-liter V6
203 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
207 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 (FWD), 19/24 (AWD)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Ford Freestyle vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

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2007 Ford Freestyle Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Based on 500 Ratings for the 2005 - 2007 models.

Review this car

Value

8.5/10

Quality

8.4/10
Reliability

8.7/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

8.8/10

Styling

8.6/10

good vehicle

By chaps612 (FL) on Friday, May 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 141,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fairly good gas mileage, versatile, comfortable"

Cons: "costly repairs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"I have mixed reviews. This vehicle is incredibly versatile and comfortable. It gets good gas mileage. But, we have experienced most of the problems associated with this car. The dash went out and that was $1K and then the engine mount needed replacement which was another grand. If not for these problems, then I would fully reccommend. We do have over 141,000 miles on it and plan to keep for another 100,000."

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good vehicle

By chaps612 (FL) on Friday, May 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 141,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fairly good gas mileage, versatile, comfortable"

Cons: "costly repairs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

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good vehicle

By chaps612 (FL) on Friday, May 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 141,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fairly good gas mileage, versatile, comfortable"

Cons: "costly repairs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Over 236,000 Miles with no major problems!

By JoeC (PA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 236,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "AWD, Decent MPG for size, Comfortable and Safe"

Cons: "Nothing to speak of"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"2005 Ford Freestyle SEL with AWD. This car served me very well. I will be trading it in for a slightly used 2013 Ford FLEX which seems to be an upgraded version of the Freestyle. If I didn't drive such long distances I would be tempted to keep it and try to get 250K or even 300K out of it. Averaged 22.9 MPG"

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Had the car for six with no problems

By MD (GA) on Friday, March 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 116,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Reliability, gas mileage"

Cons: "Comfort, not a very comfortable car."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Car has been awesome, great gas mileage, no problems with car other than radio, CD changer stopped working. Will give car to teenage son due to the great safety rating. No regrets!"

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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Drops in value quickly and breaks

By J (DC) on Friday, November 16, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 75,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Good seating arrangement"

Cons: "Poor quality - loses value quickly, breaks."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Bought used in 2011 for $14K. Now, in 2012, signal / transmission problems make it useless. The KBB value is around $7K, and repairs would cost about that much. Save your money and buy a more reliable car from someone else."

6 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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See all 500 reviews