2005 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)
This car is driven in Germany, so immediately it's at a major disadvantage. It's clearly designed for American roads, where I'm sure it's capable and probably very comfortable. However, on European roads it's lacking in acceleration, feels like a tank, doesn't fit into parking spots and feels generally out of its element. It can't keep up with cars that have half as much power on the autobahn, and makes a miserable racket trying. The engine drone under acceleration gets annoying fast. Ours is driven harder than probably any other Freestyle on the road, but it lets us know that it doesn't like it. Minor issues fixed under warranty include brake lights that stayed on and outside temp gauge.
Limited model is decked out with all the options you could want. AWD is reassuring in lousy weather. DVD entertainment package a winner with the kids. Not a bad looking car overall.
Needs significantly more power and normal auto trans (solved in 2008 with the Taurus X). Brakes feel weak sometimes, as if unable to deal with the weight of the car. Governed at 111mph, big problem on Euro roads! Cheap plasticky interior, rattles/squeaks, drone under heavy acceleration, trucky ride.