- Plenty of safety features

- Upscale looks inside and out

- Roomy interior

- Unrefined powertrains with less horsepower and worse fuel economy than those of competing minivans

- Low-grade interior materials

- Hard-to-remove second-row seats

- Can't get a navigation system

Ford has been outclassed and, more importantly, outsold in the minivan segment for years. The Windstar (1995-2003) was known for its safety reputation, but it didn't have the smart packaging, bulletproof reliability or innovative features to appeal to shoppers looking at Dodge Grand Caravans and Honda Odysseys. Ford had a chance to catch up when it reworked the Windstar and renamed it the Freestar for 2004. Unfortunately, the company missed the boat. Ford's updated minivan finally offers fold-flat third-row seating years after the competition. The third-row seat can even flip around to a rear-facing position for tailgate parties, a neat feature but Mazda and Honda have offered it for years. The cabin includes many more storage areas, and there's an optional DVD entertainment system to keep the kids occupied. There is no navigation system available, though, and that's a big problem in this segment, where upscale features are becoming more important. The one thing the Windstar did have going for it was an impressive crash safety rating for its front occupants, and the Freestar has continued that tradition with its five-star sweep of government crash tests and top rating in frontal offset crash testing. This minivan also offers side curtain airbag protection for all three rows of passengers. In a rollover situation, both sides will deploy and can stay inflated for up to 6 seconds for added protection. The Freestar continues to offer staples like stability control, a reverse-sensing system and adjustable pedals. Ford claims to have tripled its budget for interior design over the last several years, and vehicles like the Aviator, Explorer and Navigator are obvious indications that the money was well spent. The Freestar, and its corporate twin, the Mercury Monterey, also reap the rewards of Ford's new attention to interior design. Both offer a step up from the Windstar in terms of a higher-quality look of the cabin accommodations. The Ford's interior has a bit of a European flair with chrome-trimmed gauges and a very clean, uncluttered overall look. Unfortunately, the good looks are only skin-deep, as the interior materials still feel subpar. And in most respects, the Freestar lacks the day-to-day functionality of other vans. Ford is facing an uphill battle, as the Freestar does not compare favorably against the likes of the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Toyota Sienna. As if to add insult to injury, the Freestar is one of the more expensive vans on the market, though if you decide you must have one, you're apt to find Ford dealerships willing to offer sizable discounts. Nevertheless, we feel that most buyers will be much happier with one of the Freestar's superior competitors.

The 2006 Ford Freestar is available in three trim levels -- SE, SEL and Limited. SE models start you out with a second-row bench seat, a fold-flat third-row seat, cruise control, keyless entry, a CD player and privacy glass. Step up to the SEL and you get a rear air conditioner, a power driver seat, foglamps, second-row bucket seats and a unique exterior appearance package. The top-line Limited includes upgraded interior trim with leather upholstery, power-sliding doors, automatic climate control and additional exterior chrome accents. Optional features for the 2006 Freestar include items like a second-row bench seat, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a power liftgate and, on the Limited, heated front seats.

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are standard on all Freestars. Available safety features include side curtain airbags that span all three rows of seating and the AdvanceTrac stability and traction control system, which incorporates a panic brake assist feature. The Freestar earned five stars (the best possible) for its performance in NHTSA frontal impact tests. For side impacts, the van received five stars for rear-occupant protection and four stars for front passengers. The IIHS named the Freestar a "Best Pick" for its performance in the 40-mph frontal offset crash test.

Ford designers have equipped the Freestar with a shapely dash and steering wheel, and attractive materials. Good as the materials look, they feel cheap to the touch and are, on the whole, below average among minivans. The fold-flat third-row seat allows for flexible use of the available space, but the seat folds only as a single piece, rather than allowing a 60/40-split. Legroom in the second row can be tight for adults and children alike, and the seats themselves are hard to remove when you need to make way for cargo.

The Freestar meets the minimum requirements of most minivan buyers: It provides adequate power and a comfortable ride. It's heavier than most minivans and therefore isn't as adept when negotiating corners and freeway entrance ramps. Either engine offers enough power for easy around-town travel, but their vigor diminishes during highway passing maneuvers. Neither one scores well in the refinement department, as they're noisier than most other V6s in this segment.