I drove a preproduction Ford Flex earlier in the summer, and I was impressed with the large interior and family-friendly functionality. Now, after a week with a production model, my first impressions have been reinforced.
Even though Ford calls the Flex a crossover vehicle, it is functionally a contemporary station wagon, albeit one that has almost as much room as a minivan. The wheelbase is 117.9 inches and overall length is 201.8 inches. Those dimensions are similar to the Dodge Grand Caravan or Honda Odyssey.
The Flex is intentionally boxy. The roof is flat and long, and comes only in silver or white. The trim around the windows is black on all models. The sides of the body have grooves that give it a high-tech look and disguises the height of the side panels. Ford acknowledges that the styling is polarizing, but most people who looked at the test vehicle responded positively.
The Flex is available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Base prices begin at $28,295 for an SE and top out at $36,555 for an all-wheel-drive Limited, which is the vehicle I drove. Its sticker price was $43,820.
The interior of the Flex has been designed to serve families on the go. There is seating for seven, an optional refrigerator in the console between the second-row bucket seats, and third-row seats that fold flat into the cargo floor. The test vehicle was also equipped with a Vista Roof that contains a front sliding sunroof and three glass panels over the rear seats.
I noticed that the Flex felt large and a bit bulky in everyday driving with one or two persons aboard, something that didn’t grab my attention earlier in the summer.
Power comes from Ford’s 3.5-liter V-6. This engine has 262 horsepower that provides reasonable vigor considering the Flex’s 4,640-pound curb weight. This engine’s midrange torque seems a little soft, especially when you accelerate onto the highway to keep up with rapidly flowing traffic. Ford has a 3.7-liter version of this engine in the Lincoln MKS. The 3.7-liter provides more midrange torque and stronger acceleration. Hopefully the Flex will get this engine, too.
The all-wheel-drive model is rated at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway. The front-wheel drive model is rated at 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.
The front seats are quite comfortable, and the optional adjustable pedals make it easy for drivers of all sizes to find just the right position.
The test vehicle was equipped with the navigation system, backup camera and Ford Sync, an application that offers hands-free operation of cell phones and music players. Bluetooth technology allows communication with up to six phones, and a USB port in the console connects directly to an MP3 player. Songs can be stored on the vehicle’s hard disc.
The navigation system is a huge improvement over previous Ford systems, and a split-screen function allows the driver to see a portion of the map along with the audio selection and outside temperature on the 8-inch LCD screen.
The Sirius satellite radio offers real-time traffic and weather updates as well as price information for more than 120,000 gas stations.
The second-row seats have gigantic legroom when pushed all the way back, but that impinges on third-seat legroom. Second-row legroom is adequate even when the seat is moved forward enough to enable adults to ride in the third seat.
The console refrigerator is large enough to hold seven 12-ounce cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles. They can be cooled to 41 degrees in 2.5 hours.
The cup holders and foot wells are lit by lights that can be displayed in one of seven colors.
The Flex is the first vehicle to use a capless fuel filler that Ford says provides a better seal and reduces the release of smog-forming vapors.
Whether you think of the Flex as a crossover or a new version of the traditional people mover, its function is more important than what you call it.
Price
The base price of the test vehicle was $36,555. Options included power second-row seats, Vista Roof, second-row console, refrigerator, navigation system, back-up camera and two-tone roof. The sticker price was $43,820.
Warranty
Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD Engine: 3.5-liter, 262-hp V-6
Transmission: Automatic
All-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 117.9 inches
Curb weight: 4,640 lbs.
Base price: $36,555
As driven: $43,820
MPG rating: 16 city, 22 hwy
To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.
