Okay -- skeptics line up here. Yes, the Freestyle could have more flair built into the sheet metal. And yes, the Duratec 3.0-liter engine, coupled with a continuously variable transmission, doesn’t exactly thrill the inner racer. Yet little of that matters on the list of things the Freestyle is supposed to do. Of those things – ride, room and relaxation -- it does them all well. The tale of the tape shows that the Freestyle has class-leading space inside, from the first to the third row, which is partially due to the emphasis on hip points in the vehicle’s design -- hip points being the distance between the driver’s hip and the ground. This eases entry and exit and provides more head and legroom. In practical application, the measurements translate into a comfortable ride front to back. Even the third-row is quite comfortable, and it especially shines with plenty of headroom when compared to others in its class such as the Chrysler Pacifica.

While it’s not clear how to precisely define the Freestyle’s class of vehicle, it’s clearly more roomy than most any other like-priced SUV. The second row offers captain’s chairs or a 60/40 split seat. The captain’s chairs are installed on an adjustable track, for more flexibility, and indeed, the interior offers multiple seating and cargo configurations to that end. According to Ford, the third row is roomy for a crossover vehicle because of a raised greenhouse, combined with a redesigned independent rear suspension below the floor. The third row also offers extra foot space that’s actually built into the frame of the Freestyle and the design of the second row seats. Inside, the feeling is one of spaciousness and quality. Ford has noticeably improved the quality of its materials inside, from dashboard plastics to seat material and fabrics throughout the cabin.