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Acceleration
"Only 4.2 V6 models made available for test so far. They have sufficient power
for most driving demands. Transmission delivers smooth, prompt shifts."
Value
"Freestar and Monterey are attractively priced and offer laudable safety and
convenience features. But an aging basic design dims their overall appeal vs.
Toyota Sienna, which is more refined, and the Honda Odyssey and Dodge Caravan,
which are more pleasant to drive."
Ride
"Unable yet to test with 17-inch tires. Ride on base 16s mostly stable, absorbent,
but sharp bumps and ruts can jolt through, and coarse pavement causes minor but
unpleasant structural vibration."
Economy
Test 4.2 Monterey averaged 16.6 mpg in a city/highway driving mix. Ford recommends regular-grade fuel for both V6s.
Noise
"V6 sounds hoarse and strained when cold or at full throttle. Very little wind
rustle at highway speeds. Road noise modest in front, much louder in back. Despite
upscale positioning, Monterey seems only marginally quieter than Freestar overall."
Comfort - Front
"Height-adjustable seats and power-adjustable pedals standard on uplevel models,
available on most others to accomodate most any size driver. Still, rearward
seat travel not quite enough for 6-footers. Exclusive to Monterey are available
cooled front seats that work quickly to enhance hot-weather comfort. Outward
vision good to all corners. Montereys include front/rear obstacle detection vs.
Freestar's available rear-only system."
Comfort - Rear
"Seats nicely padded, supportive in both 2nd and 3rd rows. SEL/Limited's 2nd-row buckets slide fore/aft a few inches, but leg room not generous for tall adults. All 2nd-row seats fold and tumble for access to 3rd-row, which is best left to kids, though adults can enjoy the seat's ""tailgate party"" position."
Controls
"Shared dashboard design offers clear instruments and mostly simple, handy switchgear,
though climate controls sit too low for easy driver access. Monterey has more
bright accents than Freestar and some materials that feel slightly richer, but
budget-grade plastic abounds in all models."
Cargo Room
"Lots of space even with all seats in place, thanks to deep floorwell that stores
easily folded 3rd row. Second-row seats are removable and fold up with taking
off headrests. Interior storage a bit skimpy for minivans; parking-brake lever
reduces utility of front center console. Folded 3rd-row seat exposes two metal
sidewall brackets that eat into cargo space."
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