Not only is the 2005 Ford Freestyle among the more comfortable family vehicles on the market, it also boasts impressive utility. Equipped with a solid rear seatback or a 50/50 split, the third-row seat folds into the floor to create a flat load surface. When the seat is raised, a deep well can swallow a surprising amount of cargo, and handy hooks keep plastic grocery bags from rolling about.

A huge center console storage bin with cupholders divides the second row when it is equipped with captain's chairs.

When the seats are folded to maximize cargo capacity, the top four inches of this console protrudes from the otherwise flat cargo floor, creating an impediment when trying to slide long, heavy items in through the tailgate. Making up for this oversight, to some degree, is a front passenger's seat that also folds in half to provide up to 9.5 feet of length between the dashboard and the closed tailgate. However, if your plan is to use the Freestyle to haul long, wide, heavy loads, we recommend sticking with the split-folding bench seat.

Loading cargo can be hampered in other ways, too. The floor of the well behind the third-row seat is much lower than the mid-thigh liftover height, so sliding heavy objects into and out of the well is difficult. Flipping and folding the third-row seat is a two-handed operation, and when all the seats are folded flat, the resulting cargo floor has sizable gaps through which small items could be lost. Finally, Ford provides neither a tailgate release button on the remote key fob nor a flip-up rear window, and closing the tailgate is somewhat daunting since the provided recess is difficult to grip.

Large center cupholders accommodate a variety of beverage containers, and the Freestyle boasts a total of 12 cup and bottle holders distributed throughout the cabin. Up front, a large center storage bin with a power outlet and a power cord cutout is sized to swallow a laptop computer if necessary; while a covered and rubber-lined storage bin atop the dash is perfect for items that won't melt in the sun. The overhead console includes storage for sunglasses and a remote control; while four large door pockets with integrated bottle holders handle a variety of items. Other storage spots include an illuminated glovebox; front seatback pockets; four cargo tie-downs; and an optional cargo net.

Thanks to this plethora of cargo and storage solutions inside the Ford Freestyle, living with this vehicle is extremely easy.