The Freestyle, Ford's car-based SUV, is a seven-passenger wagon version of the Five Hundred sedan (subsequently renamed Taurus X and Taurus, respectively). As such, the driving experience is like that of a sedan rather than a traditional SUV. The ride is comfortable and the tall seating position gives occupants a commanding view out. The Freestyle also has a fair amount of passenger space. Access to the third row is similar to a minivan and better than the narrow paths offered in other three-row SUVs. Acceleration from the 3.0-liter V6 is sufficient, but the engine is noisy. Limited grip and the lack of available stability control restrict the Ford's handling limits.
