In fact, seat comfort throughout the Freestar is not exceptional. The driver's seat seems to have been designed exclusively for the fashionably slim. (If you are fashionably slim, you may like that.) And the rake adjustment on the six-way power driver's seat is manual, less convenient than power. Likewise, the second-row captain's chairs feel narrow.
Overall, the interior is elegant, with a delicate watch-like clock in the center dashboard as its focal point. Ford spent more money on the Freestar interior, and it's a dramatic upgrade over the Windstar.
Audio and climate controls are easy to reach. The black plastic controls could be prettier, but work well enough. The manual heating and air conditioning controls are rudimentary, but easy to operate. The available electronic climate control isn't aesthetically pleasing, but works well and is our preference. The system controls three zones, driver, passenger, and rear. Rear air conditioning is useful for cooling kids and pets on hot days, a very valuable feature.
Storage space is abundant. Bins in the sliding doors offer a place for books and toys. Front doors have double map pockets, one above the other. A covered storage compartment provides space for small items like cell phones. The driver's seat on the Limited model has a kangaroo pouch at the front of the cushion.
The Freestar has numerous cupholders, including front door holders for 20-ounce bottles. Sturdy cupholders that fold down from the sides of the second-row captain's chairs are convenient and well-built. If kicked, as they likely will be, they snap back into their storage position against the seats. However, the beverage holders in the far-back are awkwardly positioned. Next Page