The third-row seat folds into a well in the floor behind it, creating a flat load platform. Ford's fold-flat third-row seat may be the best in terms of ease of operation. Pull the clearly numbered straps in sequence, and the seat drops easily into the well. Ford designed the third-row head restraints to retract into the seat, so you don't have to pull them out before you fold the seat, as you do on many minivans. The third-row bench seat can also be dropped backward to create seating for tailgate parties.

With the third-row seat in place for passengers, there's more than 25 cubic feet of storage space; the well behind the seat provides a good spot for groceries or sports equipment. Freestar's cargo volume expands to 130 cubic feet when the third-row seat is folded and the second-row seats are removed (possible, but clumsy, for one person). The downside of Ford's third row, however, is its short seat height compared with its counterparts in the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. As a result, adults will feel like their knees are too high. It works best for small children.

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.