Overview & Reviews

Three-row crossovers may have replaced the minivan as the preferred form of family transportation, but that doesn't mean they're hip. Enter the Ford Flex, which is a lot like a large wagon, but in a stylish way. By adding a few Mini Cooper-inspired design touches (such as the blacked-out roof pillars and contrasting roof colors), the Ford Flex strikes us as perhaps the coolest choice among seven-passenger crossovers. It also happens to work just fine as a family vehicle with its roomy cabin, comfortable ride, excellent build quality and pleasant driving dynamics. As a new or used vehicle, it's one of our top choices.

Current Ford Flex
The Ford Flex is a seven-passenger crossover wagon with a boxy body designed to maximize interior volume and style. Available second-row captain's chairs that slide and recline increase comfort, but decrease seating capacity to six.

Standard across the board is a 3.5-liter V6 that sends 287 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Limited offers the option of a turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 good for 365 hp and 350 lb-ft that is all-wheel drive only. Both engines send their power through a six-speed automatic.

The Flex comes in three trim levels: SE, SEL and Limited. The base SE comes pretty well equipped, with feature highlights including 17-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, the Sync voice command system and a six-speaker CD stereo. The midlevel SEL adds 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, the MyFord Touch electronics interface, an enhanced Sync system, heated front seats and a 12-speaker stereo with satellite radio. The Ford Flex Limited gains 19-inch wheels, xenon headlights, a power liftgate, keyless ignition/entry, a blind-spot warning system, a rearview camera, a navigation system and an upgraded sound system with HD radio. Notable options, depending on the trim level, include a multipanel sunroof, second-row captain's chairs, a refrigerated second-row console, adaptive cruise control and an automated parallel parking system.

The Flex's interior has an upscale appearance and very good materials, although both the standard and MyFord Touch electronics interfaces can be unintuitive. The Flex features three spacious rows of seats, and even the rearmost seats can comfortably accommodate those taller than 6 feet. Entry and exit to those seats are eased by the Flex's low ride height and the second row that can tumble forward at the push of a button. Both back rows fold flat for cargo storage.

In reviews, we've found the Flex a great road trip companion with its responsive performance, handy features and smooth, quiet ride. The standard V6 powertrain is fairly refined, and handling of the SE and SEL versions composed, if not entertaining. The Limited's turbocharged V6 and tighter suspension tuning give it more of a sport wagon demeanor that should please enthusiasts who need a spacious family vehicle.

Used Ford Flex Models
The Ford Flex was introduced for 2009 and ran through 2012 mostly unchanged. That first year, the standard (and only) engine offered was the 3.5-liter V6, then producing 262 hp. Three trims were offered: base SE, midlevel SEL and plush Limited. Although generally very well-rounded and comfortable, the debut-year Flex lacked a telescoping steering wheel, which made it difficult for taller drivers to get comfortable. For 2010, Ford introduced the telescoping steering wheel as well as the turbocharged, 355-hp 3.5-liter V6 option. The following year, the glitzy, chrome-wheeled Titanium trim level joined the lineup. Oddly, the very next year would be the last for the Titanium.

The Flex received a midcycle refresh for 2013, which swapped out the triple-blade shaver-inspired grille for a sleeker, simpler look. Other changes that year included increased engine output (with the base V6 making 285 hp and the turbocharged version cranking out 365 hp) and the availability of cutting-edge features such as MyFord Touch, the automated parking system, inflatable second-row seatbelts and adaptive cruise control. Today's Flex is pretty much identical save for a small bump in output for the base V6 (to 287 hp) and a minor shuffling of equipment.

User Reviews:

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  2010 Ford Flex - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Ashley - June 1 - 4:01 pm

  Such a great car! I own a 2010 flex limited and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else! Pushing 245k still going strong it’s spacey and comfortable a great family car!

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  All was great a month ago. - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Jjulian - October 7 - 3:21 pm

  A month ago, this review would have been all stars. We bought this car because of the room. Our 15 yr old son of 6ft. 5in could sit in the middle seat with ease and comfort. Considering the size of the vehicle, the gas milage is good. I have actually gotten up to 30 mpg a few times on the hwy. We also had a family member who owned the same model and began having the gas tank drop to completely empty at around 60 miles till empty, while our vehicle had no such problem...till a month ago. I was driving down the road, 65 miles till empty then "ding" goes the warning, zero miles till empty. I freaked. This has happened 3 more times since as I wanted to test if it would repeat. Now I dont let it get below 100 miles left before I refill the tank. This is scary and a safety issue.

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  wheel alignment - 2015 Ford Flex
  By A E Thompson - October 6 - 9:44 am

  good car... first tires lasted 47000 miles. New tires at that time, had a four wheel alignment @ $79.95. One year later w/54444 miles we are told we need another rear wheel alignment...Is there a problem with the car (wont hold an alignment) or is someone looking for a free lunch? Having been an auto tech ( Ford and independent) for a number of years my experience has shown me there may be some cars with parts problems that would require the alignment be checked more often. Without this problem an alignment should hold longer than 7500 miles. Has anyone else had this same problem?

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  Liked the flex until it tried to kill my family! - 2015 Ford Flex
  By MarciaT - August 17 - 10:20 am

  Was looking for a large, safe family vehicle to replace my minivan that was totalled in Feb of 2015. Found the ford flex. Loved the size, comfort and technology! Hate the gas mileage!! Ford should be ashamed of themselves! If my minivan gets 30mpg on trips - so can the flex! It gets 17!! 17 mpg - pathetic! Anyway - on Thurs Aug 13, on a vacation with my kids in the smoky mountains and the steering starts acting a little strange. No lights or warnings. Stopped to check power steering fluid and figured out its electrical - no fluid! We called 2 ford dealers and were told its fine and get it checked when we get home. Was told there is 1 recall on fuel delivery module - thats it. We continued our day and on the 2nd largest mountain on the entire east coast- Clingmans Dome - the power steering warning lite comes on. It bongs 5 times and BOOM - NO POWER STEERING. None! On a huge mountain. Took all my husband had to wrestle it away from a guard rail - avoid traffic and stop it so we didnt dive off the cliff!!!!! 2 1/2 hours to get a wrecker to bring us off the mtn! 2 traumatized kids that dont want to drive in the flex ever again! 2 hour drive to the Knoxville airport to get a one way car rental because locals wont do a one way rental. Do you know what Ford corporate says??? We would like to say that cars come off the assembly line perfect - but - they dont. Thats why theres a warranty!!!! Are you kidding me?? We could have died - LITERALLY! Will they reimburse me for the car rental? NO. Will they help me get my car back? No! I have to get out of work. My husband must get out of work. We must drive 3 hrs- each way- to get the car. Asked why they dont care that the car almost killed us? No response. Asked if they would be upset if I went on tv to warn others. They said sorry you feel that way. He will call me next week to see if we got the car back. DONT BUY A FLEX! DONT BUY A FORD! I used to like fords! My kids and I will never buy another Ford vehicle! They should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!!!!!

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  Convinced the wife - 2014 Ford Flex
  By trapper6mm - April 26 - 3:06 pm

  Although my wife thought the Flex was ugly, I convinced her to consider it along with the GMC Acadia in our shopping for a 3-row seating SUV. Once she drove it she was convinced the looks were not enough to keep us from buying one. She was not expecting to like it that much. I was impressed with the EcoBoost engine performance, the strong brakes, and very good ride and handling. It blew away the Acadia once we had taken test drives in both. The price of the EcoBoost AWD Flex is also very competitive with that of the Acadia Denali AWD.

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  No Support From Ford - 2009 Ford Flex
  By swaldron - July 6 - 2:05 pm

  We purchased this new in 2009 and overall have been please with the vehicle. However, I had to rate build quality and reliability low here due to the following: at about 30K (warranty) it needed a new front hub & bearing at 44K it then needed a right rear caliper ($500). We were very disappointed that the dealer would not contact Ford about what they could do about the caliper (I currently also have 2 GM vehicles with well over 100K miles on them with original hubs and calipers!). The dealer had the nerve to tell me that he had a concern about using aftermarket calipers... I just looked at him and said "really, right now I have to pay $500 to fix a Ford OEM caliper!" Going back to GM!

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  Sticker shock - 2009 Ford Flex
  By surfredski - March 8 - 6:15 pm

  In general my 2009 Ford Flex has been a very enjoyable car, Ive almost 50,000 miles on it other than the center console latch breaking in the first year its been a good car. Last month I had noticed two of the panels between the doors was loose. These are about the size of a bumper sticker and run vertically between the doors. The dealer said it would be $198 for each panel. Last week one of them flew off the car and I realized they are basically stickers. The plastic panels are held on with foam tape whose glue is now failing. I cant believe Ford is charging $198 for what are glorified stickers! My car was always hand washed, garaged and Seattle is a mild climate. Anyone else see this

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  Wish I had the great experiences as others have posted - 2010 Ford Flex
  By ashley34 - January 25 - 4:39 pm

  We purchased our flex from a dealership new (off their lot where it sat for months) in 2010. First issue was brake noise. After three trips back, the service department replaced the brakes. Then the door handle paint peeled. Which the dealership told me was because of my wedding ring wear?! Then the center console latch broke - which was covered and replaced under warranty. Then the transmission started slipping. That was fixed under warranty. Already had to replace the tires @ 30k miles. The latest is the paint peal has gotten worse. One dealership told me to take it back to the dealership I bought it from. Ford is ford is ford. Now - a noise in the passenger side dash. ....

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  Not your Fathers station wagon - 2012 Ford Flex
  By dogbettor - November 28 - 12:09 pm

  I bought my new 2012 Flex SEL three months ago. My last two cars were Lincoln Towncars. I was shopping for a Minivan Crossover SUV station wagon or a reasonable facsimile. While at an Infinity dealer I spotted and drove a used Flex that they had on their lot. The ride was the best I had driven including the Infinity and Lexus models. So I went to the Ford dealer. The inventory of Flex models numbered 3, while the Edge offerings were more than 30, the Explorer more than 20. The sales rep said the Flex isnt advertised much and is not a great seller. After driving the Explorer and the Edge I was determined to buy a Flex. I wanted a ride close to that of my Towncar.

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  Love the Flex - 2012 Ford Flex
  By mowog - June 8 - 10:51 pm

  We chose the Flex for its interior space, exterior styling, and 4,500 pound towing capacity. We think the red with white roof combination looks stunning. We were concerned that the non-turbo engine would struggle pulling our 3,200 lb. camper in the mountains, but the standard engine has worked just fine -- including a tow through the Eisenhower tunnel at 11,138 feet. Mileage commonly runs around 26 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg pulling the camper at 60 mph. We love this vehicle.