RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Ford Freestyle Results:
Ford Automobiles: 2005 Ford Freestyle, 2007 Ford And Freestyle SUV
By:
Published: June 26, 2007
The Ford Freestyle is – or was – a short-lived crossover SUV notable for being one of the first Ford automobiles equipped with continuously variable transmission. Sharing its platform with the Volvo XC90, the Ford Freestyle prides itself on its fuel economy comparable to a compact car. Ford introduced the 2005 Ford Freestyle to the American market in late 2004 as an SUV/station wagon crossover.
Running on a 3.0L DOHC V6 engine, the Ford Freestyle comes standard with front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is available if the consumer is willing to compromise on mileage. Freestyles with front-wheel drive get an estimated 20 miles per gallon city and 27 highway. Upgrading to all-wheel drive lowers the mpg to 19 city, 24 highway.
The 2007 Ford Freestyle comes in SEL and Limited versions that add to the standard version. At an MSRP of $25,920, the more basic SEL features audio controls on the steering wheel and a trip computer with compass, among other things. Freestyle Limiteds add a second row floor console, heated front seats, dual zone air conditioning control and a six-disc CD changer with sub-woofer. It also adds roughly $6,000 to the list price of a Ford Freestyle SEL.
In its short tenure, the Freestyle didn't experience many changes. The 2007 Freestyle did add safety features like front seat side airbags and three-row side curtain airbags, as well as an anti-theft perimeter alarm system.
Not long after car owners drove the first Freestyles out of lots across the country, word got out that Ford would discontinue the Ford Freestyle SUV after the 2007 model year due to sales falling below initial projections. In January 2007, just over 2,000 Ford Freestyles were sold, whereas 2006 saw yearly sales topping 4,700. Several customers commented on their decisions for nixing a Freestyle as their next vehicle, saying the bland look, coupled with a relatively weak engine and a high asking price, eliminated the Freestyle SUV as a viable option. Others claim Ford didn't do enough to market the 2005 Freestyle and it was essentially born to lose.
Fans of the Freestyle can put down their inhalers – Ford isn't killing the Freestyle SUV entirely. The underperforming Ford automobile will get revamped and branded as the 2008 Taurus X. The original Ford Taurus is back after a short discontinuation, albeit as a re-marketed Ford Five Hundred. Confused yet?
What's important to know is that the Station Wagon Formerly Known As The Ford Freestyle aims to meet expectations of the 2005 model when it joins the line of current Ford automobiles in fall of 2007. A six-speed transmission and 260 horsepower are among over 500 improvements that could push some of those Ford Freestyle almost-buyers to sign the papers on a Ford automobile.
Sources:
Halcomb, Randall. “Ford Freestyle to be discontinued.” Autoblog. 19 July 2005. 6 June 2007.
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/07/19/ford-freestyle- to-be-discontinued/
Ford Freestyle Limited. Ford. 2007/ Ford Motor Company. 6 June 2007.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/freestyle/i ndex.asp?SECTION=MODELS
Flint, Jerry. “Ford's Fuzzy Future.” Forbes. 2 Aug. 2005. 6 June 2007.
http://www.forbes.com/columnists/columnists/2005/0 8/02/ford-gm-backseatdriver-cz_jf_0802flint.html Ford Confirms Return of the Taurus. Untied Press International. 7 Feb. 2007. Science Daily. 6 June 2007. http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Bus iness&article=UPI-1-20070207-12441800-bc-us-fo /> Ford Five Hundred To Become Taurus. Associated Press. 6 Feb. 2007. StangBanders.com. 6 June 2007. http://www.stangbangers.com/News_FordFiveHundred.h tm
Chee, Brian. “2008 Ford Taurus X Preview.” Autoweb. 1995-2007. 6 June 2007.
http://www.autoweb.com/content/shared/articles/tem plates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/3/article_ />
Running on a 3.0L DOHC V6 engine, the Ford Freestyle comes standard with front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is available if the consumer is willing to compromise on mileage. Freestyles with front-wheel drive get an estimated 20 miles per gallon city and 27 highway. Upgrading to all-wheel drive lowers the mpg to 19 city, 24 highway.
The 2007 Ford Freestyle comes in SEL and Limited versions that add to the standard version. At an MSRP of $25,920, the more basic SEL features audio controls on the steering wheel and a trip computer with compass, among other things. Freestyle Limiteds add a second row floor console, heated front seats, dual zone air conditioning control and a six-disc CD changer with sub-woofer. It also adds roughly $6,000 to the list price of a Ford Freestyle SEL.
In its short tenure, the Freestyle didn't experience many changes. The 2007 Freestyle did add safety features like front seat side airbags and three-row side curtain airbags, as well as an anti-theft perimeter alarm system.
Not long after car owners drove the first Freestyles out of lots across the country, word got out that Ford would discontinue the Ford Freestyle SUV after the 2007 model year due to sales falling below initial projections. In January 2007, just over 2,000 Ford Freestyles were sold, whereas 2006 saw yearly sales topping 4,700. Several customers commented on their decisions for nixing a Freestyle as their next vehicle, saying the bland look, coupled with a relatively weak engine and a high asking price, eliminated the Freestyle SUV as a viable option. Others claim Ford didn't do enough to market the 2005 Freestyle and it was essentially born to lose.
Fans of the Freestyle can put down their inhalers – Ford isn't killing the Freestyle SUV entirely. The underperforming Ford automobile will get revamped and branded as the 2008 Taurus X. The original Ford Taurus is back after a short discontinuation, albeit as a re-marketed Ford Five Hundred. Confused yet?
What's important to know is that the Station Wagon Formerly Known As The Ford Freestyle aims to meet expectations of the 2005 model when it joins the line of current Ford automobiles in fall of 2007. A six-speed transmission and 260 horsepower are among over 500 improvements that could push some of those Ford Freestyle almost-buyers to sign the papers on a Ford automobile.
Sources:
Halcomb, Randall. “Ford Freestyle to be discontinued.” Autoblog. 19 July 2005. 6 June 2007.
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/07/19/ford-freestyle- to-be-discontinued/
Ford Freestyle Limited. Ford. 2007/ Ford Motor Company. 6 June 2007.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/crossovers/freestyle/i ndex.asp?SECTION=MODELS
Flint, Jerry. “Ford's Fuzzy Future.” Forbes. 2 Aug. 2005. 6 June 2007.
http://www.forbes.com/columnists/columnists/2005/0 8/02/ford-gm-backseatdriver-cz_jf_0802flint.html Ford Confirms Return of the Taurus. Untied Press International. 7 Feb. 2007. Science Daily. 6 June 2007. http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Bus iness&article=UPI-1-20070207-12441800-bc-us-fo /> Ford Five Hundred To Become Taurus. Associated Press. 6 Feb. 2007. StangBanders.com. 6 June 2007. http://www.stangbangers.com/News_FordFiveHundred.h tm
Chee, Brian. “2008 Ford Taurus X Preview.” Autoweb. 1995-2007. 6 June 2007.
http://www.autoweb.com/content/shared/articles/tem plates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/3/article_ />
Featured Ford Freestyle Products:
