Ford Freestyle: A Hatchback That Wants to Be an SUV The Ford Freestyle created its own space in the Indian car market with a blend of both, hatchback practicality and SUV-like ruggedness.
Although referred to as a “CUV” (Compact Utility Vehicle), the Freestyle sets itself apart from its rivals with a modern, sporty design, higher ground clearance and a sportier driving experience.
While Ford has discontinued its mass-market plans, the Freestyle continues to be an attractive option in the pre-owned market, courtesy its solid build, safety features and punchy performance.
Design: Compact Yet Tough
The Ford Freestyle was based on the Figo hatchback, but they gave it an off-road-inspired treatment.
At first glance, it seems small and wieldy enough to be just the thing for crowded urban streets, but bread-box-like styling that draws from SUV design rules out any chance of this looking similarly to how most hatchbacks do.
The design of the front expresses a sportier and more adventurous appearance with a black honeycomb grille, a muscular bumper with skid plates and smoked headlamp thereby giving an essence of style.
The wheel arches and lower body are wrapped in black cladding to increase the crossover-esque vibe, and a set of roof rails is a functional and visually appealing touch.
The Freestyle also has 190mm of ground clearance which should grant enough ability to tackle bad roads and speed breakers,
The kind of driving environment that Ford envisioned this car to be used in, for both daily city commutes and weekend getaways. Bearing a rugged stance, cuffs of sleek 15-inch alloy wheels add to the style quotient.
Interior and Cabin Comfort
Slide into the Ford Freestyle’s cabin, and you sit in a very neatly executed interior. The design is very clean and utilitarian, however, material quality is not bad by segment standards.
Inside, the dashboard has a clean layout and a floating 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (higher versions) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The black and brown dual-tone scheme adds a dash of premium-ness to the cabin. Cushy and supportive, the front seats provide decent visibility and plenty of cushioning for long drives.
Rear-seat space is also good for legroom and headroom, but it would be best for two adults and a child instead of three adults.
As far as convenience goes, the freestyle has a lot of storage space, bottle and cup holders, and a good sized glove box. 76 The 257-litre boot is just right for daily vegetableruns and weekend luggage.
Performance & Driving Dynamics
Ford Freestyle is performance oriented. The car was available in two engine options – 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Ti-VCT petrol engine and 1.5-litre 4-cylinder TDCi diesel engine.
The petrol motor produces 96 PS and 119 Nm of torque and the diesel churns out 100 PS and 215 Nm.
The 5-speed manual gearbox is common to both of the engines. The transmission is a smooth shifter and seems to be well-matched to both the city and the open road.
The diesel is celebrated for its strong mid-range, and knows how to handle overtakes and long journeys.
What sets the Freestyle apart is how it drives. Exclusive Ride and Handling With its specially tuned suspension, electronic stability program (ESP) with traction control, the Freestyle is poised and assured behind the wheel.
The electric power steering is light in the city but grows heavier at higher velocities, maintaining a connected vibe. It sucks up bumps and potholes with ease and feels planted even at triple-digit speeds, a tall order for the segment.
Safety Features
Safety was one of Fords first concerns when designing the Freestyle and it is one of the safest cars in its class. Even the base version was standard with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and high-speed alert.
The pricier Titanium+ version had six airbags, ESP, hill launch assist and traction control – which are not usually available in a more expensive car.
The bodyshell is strong and crash-efficient and the car received extensive praise over its stability and predictable handling under heavy braking or fast cornering.
Infotainment and Features
The Ford Freestyle was also fairly well-equipped as far as equipment was concerned. The 7-inch touchscreen in the Titanium and Titanium+ gets smartphone connectivity, navigation & voice commands support.
The system is easy to use and quick to respond, but it’s missing the larger 8-inch screen offered in some newer competitors.
It gets some more kit in the form of automatic climate control, push button start, keyless entry, rear view camera, power-adjustable ORVMs and steering-mounted controls.
Sure, it doesn’t have some of the flashy tech like a sunroof or any connected car tech, but the Freestyle offers features that are actually usable.
3.0 Fuel Efficiency and Maintenance It must be noted wind power can be operated with low specific fuel consumptions and maintenance 3.0 Fuel Efficiency and Maintenance.
Freestyle petrol gives out real-world figures of approx 18 km/l and diesels will give 23-24 km/l (as per driving and road patterns). Those are descent numbers for a car this involving with such a well-built construction.
Another positive is Ford’s track record of making rock-solid engines and the carmaker’s intent to keep servicing cars even post-exit in a scaled down manner in India. Parts are still available, and servicing is often cheap.
Pros:
Built tough, with an SUV design twist
Great ground clearance (190mm  )
Advanced safety technologies with 6 airbags
Engaging driving dynamics and equally fun-to-drive.
Simple cabin with enough space and storage
Good fuel economy, particularly with the diesel>tagger
Cons:
There’s limited rear seating room for three adults.
No automatic gearbox choice
Mildy dated infotainment system
Reduced brand visibility post Ford’s India exit
Potential resale value is subjective based on the discontinuation of the brand
Post-Ford Exit Impact
Despite Ford pulling the plug on manufacturing in India, the company has left behind a good after-sales network for current owners.
The service centres are fully functional and the brand has also promised spare parts availability in the near future. This is a comforting point for anyone who may be thinking about a used Ford Freestyle.
In addition, this car is well-known for its reliable performance, and low maintenance costs–meaning it’s a great used-car purchase.
The drop in resale value has consequently made it a serious bargain in used condition, delivering a whole lot of car for less money!
Ford Freestyle: Final Verdict
The Ford Freestyle continues to be one of the most underatted cars in India’s car-scene.
It combines the maneuverability of a hatchback with the practicality of an SUV; it’s a vehicle that is as versatile and efficient as it is fun to drive and durable.
Its production may be long gone, but this is part of the culture of the motoring world – popular and loved by enthusiasts that value good, honest design and usable applications.
For those in the market for a car that’s safe, Punchy, sensible, new or used, the Freestyle is one smart choice. It’s a vehicle which not only takes you from point A to B but it takes you there with style and personality.