What is the safety rating of the Ford Freestyle car?
The Ford Freestyle does not have a single, universal safety rating. Ratings vary by market, model year, and the testing program used. Below is a snapshot of the most commonly cited safety assessments for different regions, along with guidance on how to verify the exact rating for a specific vehicle.
How safety ratings vary by market
Global automotive safety testing is carried out by different organizations in different regions. The Freestyle has been evaluated in at least the United States and India, with ratings differing because of regional specifications, trim levels, and standard safety equipment. When evaluating a Freestyle, identify the exact market and year to locate the corresponding official rating.
United States market: NHTSA and IIHS assessments
In the United States, the Ford Freestyle (often sold under the Taurus X name in its era) would be evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and, for more detailed frontal, side, and roof-strength analyses, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The overall rating and individual test outcomes depend on the model year, trim, and whether certain safety features were standard or optional at the time. To obtain the precise current rating for a specific US-year Freestyle, consult NHTSA’s SaferCar.gov and IIHS’s ratings database using the exact year and trim.
Notes:
- NHTSA provides an overall five-star safety rating and component-based results for front and side impacts, rollover resistance, etc.
- IIHS publishes test-by-test results (Good/Acceptable/Marginal/Poor) for front overlap, side impact, roof strength, head restraints, and headlights when applicable.
These United States ratings are specific to the North American-market Freestyle/Taurus X and may not apply to versions sold in other regions.
India and other markets: Global NCAP results
In markets such as India, the Ford Freestyle has been evaluated by Global NCAP. The India-spec Freestyle underwent testing under Global NCAP’s framework, and the results are typically reported as star ratings for adult occupant protection and child occupant protection, along with notes on available safety features for that market. As tested in 2019, the India-market Freestyle was widely cited as achieving four stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection, reflecting the equipment and structural performance available on that variant.
Ratings can vary by model year and the safety equipment installed. To verify the exact rating for the year and variant you’re considering, check Global NCAP’s official result page for the India-market Freestyle.
- Global NCAP adult occupant protection rating for India-market Freestyle (stars)
- Global NCAP child occupant protection rating for India-market Freestyle (stars)
- Notes on standard safety equipment in that market (airbags, ABS, etc.)
In practice, Global NCAP results for the Freestyle provide a useful benchmark for safety performance in India and similar markets, but always confirm the precise rating for the specific year and trim you are evaluating.
What the ratings mean for buyers
Understanding the numeric stars is important, but it’s also essential to interpret what the rating means in real-world terms. The ratings reflect occupant protection in crash scenarios and the effectiveness of safety features in the tested configuration. For buyers, consider these points:
- Year-to-year changes in safety equipment can affect ratings; newer models may add airbags or electronic stability control as standard.
- Trim-level differences can influence which airbags, seatbelt reminders, or child-seat anchors are included.
- Regional variations in testing protocols can lead to different results for otherwise similar vehicles.
Always verify the latest official rating for your exact vehicle configuration and market.
Summary
The Ford Freestyle’s safety rating is not a single universal figure. It depends on the market and model year. In India, Global NCAP results have been cited as four stars for adult occupants and three stars for child occupants for the India-spec Freestyle (tested in 2019). In the United States, safety ratings come from NHTSA and IIHS and are specific to the US-market variant and year. For the most accurate and up-to-date rating, consult the official databases of NHTSA, IIHS, and Global NCAP for the exact year and variant you are researching.
Bottom line: safety ratings exist, but you must identify the exact market and year to obtain the precise figure.
