A great choice

We bought this to replace our Chevy Venture. We saw it at the Chicago Auto Show and we liked it better than the Pacifica. Considered an Escape, but I use one at work and wonder how it could be so different (in a negative sense) than my 2000 Focus inside. The Freestyle has the "right" interior items like the Focus: Light switch on dash, one swipe down for mist on windshield, simple controls, etc. We have the SEL AWD model with moonroof, front row comfort package, leather interior, family entertainment, safety/security system, & rear sensors. I've read some reviews and bulletin boards on this vehicle. Here's my take on some of the items:
Stereo/DVD system: The stereo in our SEL is fine. I've read some reviews thinking it is bad, but it is not. My Focus has an aftermarket Alpine with around 1000 watts, so I know what a decent stereo is. We appreciate that we can have the kids watching the DVD on headphones while we listen to the radio/CD.
Ride: Great. I can only assume the AWD will pay off in the winter!
Power/Trans: No issues at all. This thing has plenty of power for what it was designed for. The CVT is pretty neat. Real smooth power.
Interior: Pretty nice. We have the leather. I love leather. No heated seats in SEL, so maybe in issue in winter. Overall, pretty nice. Ford has a great interior compared to GM. The Focus interior is also well laid out. One drawback is the narrow footwells in the front seat. There is no room to move your foot off the "dead" pedal on the drivers side (to stretch out) and your feet must be cocked toward center on the passenger side. Minor, but noticeable to me. I'm not crazy about the faux carbon fiber center. Maybe cover it later when something becomes available. My Focus has real carbon fiber covers, which are a joy to look at. Moonroof is great. One-button open/close. Small tilt vent. I like the message center, which will tell you MPG, direction, trip odometer, miles left based on fuel, etc. Dual climate control is great. Steering Wheel controls great. Good wiper/high beam stalks. Good instrument panel. We do notice the missing storage area of our van. And why the HECK doesn't Ford make a third-row floor mat? Ford Parts couldn't find one and neither can we. Silliness. Looks like it doesn't exist. We don't have the second row center console. We may get a cheap aftermarket one. It is nice to be able to go through the center to the back if you need to without climbing over a console. We do have a gap there when all the seats are down, though. The seats are fairly comfortable, though I wish they were more adjustable up and down. Command seating is great, but I like to be "in" a car more. I have my Focus seat all the way down. Driver's seat moves up and down, but the passenger seat in our SEL does not. I'm not crazy about sitting up like that in a car. My wife doesn't notice. When the kids are watching the DVD, you can forget about the rear view mirror. Can't see a thing. My wife isn't happy about the view out of it even with the DVD up. The rear seat headrests and the hump of the closed DVD make the view small.

Exterior: No issues. I do wonder, as others have, why Ford didn't put something along the side for some protection from grocery carts and such. Under-mirror lights at night are a neat feature. My wife is glad about the entry number pad, since she locked the keys in the car on the first day but luckily had the manual with the pad code outside the car.
General: Gas mileage is fine. Better than our van. We wish the 2nd row windows were tinted from the factory or availalble as an option on the SEL; they are standard (I believe) on the Limited. We will have them tinted. As others have said, the doors are hard to close. You have to slam them shut. Don't know why. I've heard air pressure, but I don't know. Could be a problem for small children.