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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  Engine replaced at 109,000 - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Jim Olive - October 26 - 6:30 pm

  The ecoboost is not perfected yet. Very nice ride for comfort.

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  Should I buy a Ford again - 2015 Ford Flex
  By Scott Mueller - March 31 - 10:46 am

  Last year a trim piece flew off of my Ford Flex. Let me say that again. A trim piece flew off of my Ford Flex.(its a little plastic piece that goes from the body to the roof of the car by the window) I went to 32 Ford and they said it was the manufactures fault so they would fix it for free. Then 5 days ago the same piece from the other side flew off. (WOW really pieces of cars just come flying off?) Since 32 ford closed down I went to Beechmont Ford and they charged me $269.29 to get it fixed. Im confused. Should I ever buy another Ford, Should I ever go back to that dealership, or should I just go back to Toyota where car parts never flew off of my car before?

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  be careful! - 2012 Ford Flex
  By dontbuyxt - January 11 - 9:15 am

  I have a 2012 ford flex. I just hit 60,000 miles and with it has come a fuel pump failure! I took it to the dealer who fixed it. Of course, the repair is not complete and know I can smell gas after parking my car in my garage. Oh Joy! More time at the dealer trying to get them to fix an issue they created with an initial repair attempt. Very Frustrating Ford! I feel the car has been pretty good up to this point. I like the strong engine and ride quality. It is a good car for long car trips. I am very concerned about the long term quality - Ford is exactly known for quality. I had to have the brakes (pads and rotors!) replaced around 55k. This car may be better for a lease!

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  0 Miles to "E" with a 1/4 tank - 2009 Ford Flex
  By designqueen83 - March 22 - 12:28 pm

  I have had my Flex since August of 2010. I have put on 78k miles total. With in the first winter I had 1/4 of a tank of gas and the reader told me there were 60 miles to E. I was in good shape to get to work then get gas at lunch. My car dinged, read 0 miles to E and then shut down. This has happened a few times since and the dealership cant pin point the problem. They have even made it die the same way too (b/c they didnt believe me). Now I am left with a solution of dont drive it under 1/4 tank and dont get down to 90 miles to E. Seriously? Is anyone else having this problem? I am the second owner and the first time it happened was at 30k. Senders have been replaced and other parts.

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  Ford Does Not Support - 2009 Ford Flex
  By jstaples15 - December 28 - 7:15 pm

  I have a 2009 Ford Flex that was involved in an accident with a deer. According to the repair shop, there is a necessary part that is needed on the vehicle, P/N 8A8Z16138A, that is not in production and not available anywhere in the US. I contacted Ford Motor Co. several times and they have informed me that they have no planned date for production, due to tooling issues. Their stand on the issue is that it is not their problem. I have exhausted all contacts and Ford has no answer when my car may be drivable again.

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  POS - 2009 Ford Flex
  By btcadams - December 19 - 3:49 pm

  My wife and I drove numerous cars before deciding to purchase our 1st and last Ford vehicle. At first it seemed to be the answer to all of our needs. We purchased this car new in NOV 08. Within 6mnths,we had to take the car in to have the "sync" systems wiring harness replaced 4 times and the touch screen once! Within 16k miles (2 years) we had to replace the front rotors and brakes. And now just 11 months and 10k miles later, we now need to replace the front rotors again, the rear brakes and the rear rotors! Ford Corporate was of no help for this non-warranty item stating "normal/routine maintenance". Not to mention the horrible screeching sound that comes from the brakes, also "normal"

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  Its okay, but there are better choices... - 2011 Ford Flex
  By jeffyb - October 5 - 8:43 am

  After spending considerable time driving my 2011 Flex on different types of roads, under varying conditions, Id say its good as a people-mover, and a good alternative to a mini-van. However, it is not as sporty as its image portrayed on TV. After 11,000 miles the drivers window squeaks like a pig, and the auto tailgate is very annoying (way too slow opening & closing). Unless you have 6 or 7 people to haul, I would suggest an SUV like the Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4 instead. They have as much useful cargo room, handle much better and get better gas mileage.

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  Ford Flex Brake issues - 2010 Ford Flex
  By phillthedog - July 16 - 9:06 am

  Had our Flex for nearly two years once we hit 22k miles began having brake failures car has been in dealer 5 times they have replaced vacuum booster and check valves. When the car has been parked overnight or for a few hours the brake pedal is very hard the car will not stop. Ford says this is "normal" operating procedure and we have to warm the car up for five minutes before driving which is totally unacceptable. Dealer is as frustrated as we are Ford sent out an engineer who said he could not replicate the problem. We are truly disappointed with Ford.

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  Life with the Flex - 2010 Ford Flex
  By rroselavy - June 1 - 10:53 pm

  Weve had a Flex for over 18 months now. Summary: 1) Nice outside. Many ask about how we like the car. 2) Roomy inside. Excessive for in town, but great for long trips. 3) 12" longer than our last SUV. Street parking can be more challenging. 4) Poor fuel efficiency. We get 13gph city, and about 22gph highway. 5) Build quality OK. Plastic covers on base of front seats and door handles keep popping off. Engineering falls short in the minor details. 6) Ford Service is apathetic. They do the work, but do not seem to care about customer satisfaction. 7) Navigation system is poorly designed and clumsy. Passenger cant enter address when car is moving. Media player and bluetooth works well.

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  Loved it and now would like it to stay out of the shop.... - 2009 Ford Flex
  By stew2730 - April 23 - 7:52 pm

  Totally disappointed, I have previously posted two very flattering reviews of this car and now need to retract those as well as apologize to all who stopped me and asked me about this car. Have had my Flex for 2 1/2 years and have put 45k miles on it. About 10 days ago it began running hot, ended up being in the shop for almost 9 days. Have had the car back for 8 days and it started running hot in traffic on our way to dinner tonight. We had to park the car and hope it will still be there Monday so we can have it towed to yet another dealership! Going back to a Japanese car after this!