August 2008
2009 Ford Flex: First Drive
A spacious, retro-inspired people-mover without the minivan stigma
The Ford Flex, a large, seven-seat wagon, is based on the Taurus and Taurus X platform, though its boxy design endows it with
even more interior room than those plus-sized models have. It sheds the soccer-mom stigma borne by the Freestar while adding
minivan-like versatility to a pseudo-wagon shape.
The Flex line starts with a front-wheel-drive base model at $29,000. The sole powertrain is a 262-hp, 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. We're testing a mid-trim, all-wheel-drive SEL model with heated leather seats, rear-seat sunroofs, and other options that together raised the retail price to $38,460, including a Mini Cooper-style white roof.
Initial impressions. More than anything else, the Flex is set up for long road trips, with a comfortable, compliant ride and an airy, spacious
cabin. The three-passenger second row is especially accommodating, and the cabin stays so quiet that conversations between
the front and rear passengers pose no challenge. Not to be overlooked, the third row easily seats two adults in reasonable
comfort.
A boon for passengers, the Flex is very long and wide. But its coach-grade footprint and a wide 43-foot turning circle make
parking a chore. The steering is not particularly quick or communicative, either. The steering wheel is rather far away, something
that the adjustable pedals do not remedy.
The 3.5-liter V6 moves the 4,800-pound Flex fairly briskly, and the six-speed automatic shifts smoothly enough. But the engine sounds gruff at times and we measured a reasonable but not stellar 17 mpg. The ride is compliant and steady, swallowing bumps with ease. Handling is fairly responsive but this coach is not exactly nimble.
It is easy to convert the Flex from tour bus to utility van. All the rear seatbacks (and the front passenger's seatback) easily
flop down to form a flat load floor—not as commodious as a minivan's but still pretty good.
The interior is trimmed with soft-touch dash top and tasteful wood inlays. But some details such as the flimsy, hard-to-latch glove box door and some fits are disappointing. The lack of a telescopic steering wheel compromises the driving position because the wheel's long distance from the driver's seat causes some drivers to stretch their arms to reach.
CR's take. The Flex is certainly functional and as its name says, flexible, but the powertrain lacks the polish and efficiency of some of its competitors. We will see how it fares against the redesigned Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, and others in the November issue of Consumer Reports and on ConsumerReports.org in October.
Discuss Ford in the Cars forum.
The Flex line starts with a front-wheel-drive base model at $29,000. The sole powertrain is a 262-hp, 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. We're testing a mid-trim, all-wheel-drive SEL model with heated leather seats, rear-seat sunroofs, and other options that together raised the retail price to $38,460, including a Mini Cooper-style white roof.
The 3.5-liter V6 moves the 4,800-pound Flex fairly briskly, and the six-speed automatic shifts smoothly enough. But the engine sounds gruff at times and we measured a reasonable but not stellar 17 mpg. The ride is compliant and steady, swallowing bumps with ease. Handling is fairly responsive but this coach is not exactly nimble.
The interior is trimmed with soft-touch dash top and tasteful wood inlays. But some details such as the flimsy, hard-to-latch glove box door and some fits are disappointing. The lack of a telescopic steering wheel compromises the driving position because the wheel's long distance from the driver's seat causes some drivers to stretch their arms to reach.
CR's take. The Flex is certainly functional and as its name says, flexible, but the powertrain lacks the polish and efficiency of some of its competitors. We will see how it fares against the redesigned Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, and others in the November issue of Consumer Reports and on ConsumerReports.org in October.
Discuss Ford in the Cars forum.
