The Ford Flex looks boxy. Make that boxy in an attention-getting and stylish sort of way, but boxy nonetheless. The hood is long and flat. So is the roof. The windshield stands tall and proud. Corners are squared-off. Side body panels are vertical; side glass is nearly vertical. The tailgate could be plotted with a T-square. The overall box shape suggests interior room and maximum space utilization. Many would also find the shape honest, simple and elegant.
In industry terms, Flex is called a two-box vehicle, which is to say one box (the body and greenhouse of the vehicle) grafted onto another box (the hood, front fenders and grille). Think the basic proportions of a shoebox with a notch cut out for the windshield and hood. This notch makes Flex look like an upscale station wagon or SUV, as opposed to what the market considers a less desirable and lower-image one-box minivan.
People seeing Flex for the first time generally agree it has presence and a variety of upscale cues. Those who find it attractive are reminded of Mini Clubman and Toyota FJ Cruiser, both sharing basic Flex proportions and even color-contrasting roofs. Think of Flex as a big Mini Clubman. Make that a really big Mini Clubman! Whatever design cues Flex shares with FJ Cruiser are less direct, but if you squint, there's clearly resemblance there as well.
Flex may at heart be a functional people and cargo-carrier, but it's certainly not shy when it comes to exterior design. There's design everywhere, both in the overall look of the vehicle and in the details. A fair amount of brightwort, just short of bling, sets Flex apart and communicates upscale intentions. A signature three-bar Ford grille in a muted silver finish extends across the front. Front bumper foglights are encased in highly reflective jeweled surrounds. Door mirror housings are not only chromed, but the caps have little tab-like crenellations that sparkle in sunlight. Big, bright, bold, in-your-face 19-inch polished alloy wheels suggest Lincoln more than Ford, as do large chrome door handles, bright window surrounds, and a shiny band running across the tailgate that repeats the front grille theme.
Beyond the brightwork, Flex has a series of small, horizontal, body-color indents stamped into door panels. These not only visually lengthen the vehicle and break up mass along the sides, but likely also strengthen the panels and reduce oilcanning noise within the doors. Sure, such detailing is a little finicky and over the top, but Flex would look a lot heavier if the indents weren't there. Another Flex signature is the optional two-tone roof in either warm white or silver.
Height is an important design element. Flex is taller than most station wagons, but significantly lower than such traditional SUVs as Explorer and Expedition. Unlike traditional SUVs, the Flex roof is about at your eyeline, not above your eyeline. When you look at Flex from up-close, you're looking across to it, not up at it.
An informal survey among bystanders elicits a wide variety of responses. Supporters find it interesting and compelling. Detractors find it too boxy or simply too trendy; too much design working too hard to attract attention. Both supporters and detractors agree Flex gets looks and has an overall presence beyond what most would expect from a Ford. This suggests Flex succeeds in accomplishing what its designers clearly spent a lot of time working very hard to accomplish. Lots of design? You bet! Too much design? Well, only if you want to go unnoticed.
This diversity of opinion is not necessarily a bad thing. Some observers note that bland designs that offend no one are often less successful than designs that please some and offend others.
h optional roof rack side rails, so anyone buying Flex has to decide between multiple moonroofs or a roof rack.
Behind the third-row seat is a small cargo area about the size and shape of what you might find in a minivan. This is accessed through a swing-up one-piece tailgate. The load floor is carved into a recessed well, which keeps cargo in place and prevents things spilling out but also makes access marginally more difficult than with a flat load floor. Of course, those needing more room or better access can easily fold third-row seats to suit.
Cargo capacity is 15.0 cubic feet with all three rows of seats in place, 43.2 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, 83.2 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats down.
The Ford Flex and other people and cargo movers are more about features, accommodations and equipment than the actual driving experience. That said, Flex is remarkably composed on the road and dynamically competent. Not just competent for a vehicle its size, but remarkably taut for a vehicle of any size. Seamless is the word that comes to mind.
The prevailing feeling on the road is less of power and speed than overall safety and solidity. Flex drives and feels like a vault. NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) control is exceptional. This results from a well reinforced body structure (both visible and notable in the way the various pillars and door openings are constructed) that eliminates the usual creaks and groans. The only noise you hear while underway comes from the mirrors, but even this is only slight and at speeds over 65 mph. Flex is one composed and quiet car.
Its 3.5-liter V6 with double overhead-cams has more than adequate power for normal driving conditions, plus sufficient torque to either tow a 2000–pound load in standard guise or a 4500-pound load with optional trailer towing package. A newly designed six-speed automatic transmission does its job efficiently and well. We found it was rarely, if ever, caught in the wrong gear.
Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 17/24 mpg City/Highway, 16/22 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Ride quality is controlled to the point of neither being noticeable nor a real factor in the driving experience. Cornering is level and quiet. Turns taken at speed elicit no audible reply from the Hankook 235x19 tires. Four-wheel disc brakes with every conceivable electronic interface are equally quiet and composed.
Towing capacity is rated at 4500 pounds when equipped with the optional Class III Trailer Towing Prep Package.
Flex SE ($28,295) comes standard with cloth seating surfaces, single-zone air conditioning, seven-passenger capacity (2-3-2 seating), six-way power driver seat, manual tilt steering wheel with hub-mount audio and cruise controls, fog lights, power door locks with autolock, power mirrors with manual-folding bezels, remote keyless entry, retained power, AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio with MP3 compatibility, center-stack screen display (for audio, compass, temperature), message center with trip computer, front-row center console, 10 cup holders/bottle holders, power windows, carpeted floor mats, rear privacy glass, three 12-volt power outlets, 235/60R18 BSW tires, and 18-inch painted alloy wheels.
Flex SEL ($32,070) adds bright exterior trim, 18-inch machined alloy wheels, dual-zone A/C, Sony AM/FM/6-CD/MP3/satellite radio, leather seating surfaces, heated first-row seats, 10-way power driver seat, six-way power passenger seat, universal garage door opener and interior woodgrain trim. Flex SEL AWD ($33,920) adds all-wheel drive. The SEL Convenience Package ($985) adds 110-volt power inverter, power adjustable pedals with memory, power liftgate, memory driver seat and side mirrors, door-mirror mount puddle lamps.
Flex Limited ($34,705) adds HID headlamps, power multi-function door mirrors with puddle illumination, power-opening liftgate, P235/55R19 BSW tires, 19-inch polished alloy wheels, 110-volt power outlet, power-adjustable pedals with memory, ambient lighting, second-row footrests, perforated leather seating surfaces (for first and second rows), first-row memory seats and Microsoft SYNC system. Flex Limited AWD ($36,555) adds all-wheel drive. The optional navigation system ($2375) for the Limited features a rear backup camera and Sirius Travel Link services with real-time traffic information, national weather information, fuel prices, sports scores/schedules, movie listings.
Options include a Class III Trailer Towing Prep Package ($570) with receiver hitch, wiring harness with 4/7 pin connector, engine oil cooler, tire mobility kit; second-row 40/40 reclining seats ($770); second-row floor console ($100); rear console refrigerator ($760); DVD rear entertainment center ($1020); deep-tint Vista roof ($1495); steel roof panel in contrasting White Suede or Brilliant Silver ($395); tri-coat paint ($395); Microsoft SYNC system ($395); roof rack side rails ($100); 6 CD with satellite radio ($430); remote start system ($295).
Safety features include the federally mandated dual driver/passenger front airbags plus side-impact and safety canopy airbags, dual-stage deployment front airbags, front passenger airbag sensing system, rear door child-safety locks, perimeter alarm, seatbelt pre-tensioners, reverse sensing, passive anti-theft system and tire pressure monitoring system. A wiper-activated automatic headlamp on-off switch and a tire pressure monitoring system come standard. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS), Advance Trac electronic traction control, RSC Roll Stability Control, yaw control, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Adjustable pedals come on the Limited model to help short and tall drivers achieve the ideal driving position. All-wheel drive is available for the SEL and Limited for improved safety in adverse weather. The rearview camera that comes with the Limited navigation system greatly enhances safety for its ability to help the driver spot children and adults behind the vehicle when backing up.