The 2007 Ford Freestar receives a standard third-row Tailgate Bench Seat that can be placed in a rearward-facing position for picnics and tailgate activities. Models equipped with AdvanceTrac also have Panic Brake Assist, which can help reduce stopping distances in a panic stop. Six new exterior colors are added.

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It’s now in its third year since being redesigned and is outclassed by newer entries. However, the J.D. Power and Associates research firm has rated Freestar’s overall quality and mechanical quality better than most. It’s better than any previous Ford minivan, so if you liked the Windstar, you’ll love the Freestar.

Freestar is well-equipped to do minivan things. It can haul seven passengers and has a deep well behind the third row that’s perfect for securely stowing a week’s worth of groceries. Fold the third-row seat into the floor, and the Freestar holds four passengers and offers a big, flat cargo area behind the seats.

Also, the third row can flip around to function as a tailgate seat, a neat trick for parking lot parties. A power rear liftgate and dual power sliding doors are available. Tow ratings of up to 3,500 pounds are possible, enough to handle personal watercraft, motorcycles, or other trailer toys.

Freestar’s strongest suit is safety: Freestar earned five stars in the government’s (NHTSA’s) frontal impact crash testing, and is a “Best Pick” for frontal offset crashes by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Freestar received a five-star rating from NHTSA in driver and passenger front impact as well as passenger side impact. It received a four-star rating in driver side impact and roll-over resistance.

Freestar SE ($23,655) comes standard with a 3.9-liter V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD stereo, power windows, locks and mirrors, tire pressure monitor, remote keyless entry, anti-lock (ABS) four-wheel disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), privacy glass, roof rack longitudinal rails, and 225/60 all-season tires on 16-inch steel wheels. A cleverly designed third-row bench seat folds flat into the floor or flips backward to form a tailgate bench seat.

Freestar SEL ($26,615) boosts performance with a 4.2-liter V6 engine. SEL also gets six-way power driver’s seat, fold-and-tumble second-row captain’s chairs, tri-zone (right, left, and rear) auxiliary climate control, automatic headlights, an illuminated entry keypad on the driver’s door, illuminated visors, and leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio controls.

Exterior upgrades include 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels, cornering lamps. The SEL grille is chrome, and the bumpers are body color. The SE and SEL can be upgraded with a premium appearance package.

The Limited ($29,575) adds leather upholstery for the front seats, dual power sliding doors, automatic climate control, power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, power heated mirrors with turn signals and puddle lamps, message center, analog clock, and contrasting-color bumpers for a two-tone effect.

Options include a DVD rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones ($1,395), and a six-disc CD changer ($255), as well as 17-inch alloy wheels ($245), self-sealing tires ($280), trailer-towing package ($335), power liftgate ($400), rear spoiler ($290). A Memory Package ($425) stores settings for the mirrors, driver’s seat, and pedals. A navigation system is not available on the Freestar.

The AdvanceTrac package ($335) combines panic Brake Assist, traction control, and Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control. The package is available with a reverse-sensing system ($730). Ford’s optional Safety Canopy ($695) side-curtain airbag system runs the length of the minivan on both sides and includes sensors that monitor for a rollover.

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The improvements move the Ford Freestar closer to par with its prime competitors, the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, but do not leapfrog it ahead of them. Ford renamed the Freestar to fit into its new naming structure. Ford’s car-like vehicles start with the letter F: Focus, the upcoming Freestyle crossover vehicle and the Futura sedan.

On the road, the Ford Freestar is smooth and quiet. It glides over rough pavement, it offers responsive handling and the availability of a big V6. The Freestar’s best feature is its interior ambience, an elegant cabin trimmed in high-quality materials. A clever third row that disappears into the floor, a cargo well behind the third row to contain groceries, and lots of interior storage add convenience.

The Freestar S ($23,775), likely to represent only about 10 percent of all Freestar sales, comes standard with a new 3.9-liter V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch wheels and tires, air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and a third-row seat that folds into the floor or turns backward to form a tailgate bench seat. The entry-level price for Freestar is $705 more than a comparable 2003 Windstar.

The SE ($26,245) adds: remote keyless entry system; cruise control; roof rack; privacy glass; and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. The SE is nearly equivalent to the 2003 Windstar LX but is priced $70 less.  The Freestar SES ($28,065) includes all the SE equipment plus air conditioning with tri-zone temperature control, driving lamps, power driver’s seat, five-spoke aluminum sport wheels, and a unique grille, bumpers and trim treatment. Freestar SES is nearly equivalent to the 2003 Windstar LX Deluxe but is priced $195 more.

The Freestar SEL ($29,310) includes many SES features plus a 4.2-liter V6 engine, first- and second-row bucket seats, keyless entry keypad, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio controls, cornering lamps, an overhead console with a compass and outside temperature display and an AM/FM stereo with cassette, CD player and rear seat audio controls. The Freestar SEL is priced $80 higher than a 2003 Windstar SE.

The top-of-the-line Limited ($32,945) includes all SEL equipment plus power sliding rear passenger doors, electronic automatic climate control, power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, unique interior trim, including leather seating surfaces, two-tone exterior treatment and power heated signal mirrors with puddle lamps. The Freestar Limited is priced $1,880 less than a 2003 Windstar Limited.

Available individual options include: a DVD rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones ($1,395); and a six-disc CD changer ($150). Options for late-2004 models include a power liftgate and a Class II towing package ($335) that will boost the towing capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds. A Memory Package is available that includes adjustable pedals and a memory system for the driver’s seat, pedals and exterior mirrors.

Safety features include dual front airbags and standard anti-lock brakes on all versions of the Freestar. Ford’s optional Safety Canopy ($695) curtain airbag system runs the length of the minivan on both sides and includes sensors that monitor a rollover. If a rollover is detected, the air bags deploy from the headliner and stay inflated for up to six seconds and can protect the heads of occupants in all three rows. Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front passengers complement the Safety Canopy.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) come standard on all Freestars. Other active safety features available include Ford’s AdvanceTrac electronic stability control ($395), Panic Brake Assist, and a Reverse Sensing System that detects objects behind the vehicle when backing up. Self-sealing tires ($280) and turn-signal indicators on the outside mirrors are also available.

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