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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  PURRR-FLEX - 2009 Ford Flex
  By LaRosa Turner - June 10 - 5:03 pm

  I shopped "til" I dropped looking for "THE" car on the internet. We already have a Explorer, i decieded to check out the Ford official site. I saw this 1950ish looking wagon and click on the interior and fell in love. Went to Chicago car show, saw one! Went to our Ford dearlship, sat behind the wheel, purrrr-fect. Drove it with the pedal to the metal,(and a prayer), purrr-fect. Went home told my husband, he said wait until fall. I didnt speak to him for 1 week. He took me back saw the Flex, didnt like it. Sat in it, purrr-fect! We now own a Flex!

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  Jerrys Flex - 2009 Ford Flex
  By jerry - April 1 - 1:00 pm

  I love my new Flex. The room is great and so nice to drive. People can not stop looking at it. I was filling and people ask me all about it. Ford hit a home run!

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  Ford has made a great car/crossover - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Rick - February 23 - 11:00 am

  This car is a real winner. Ford did almost everything right. Great engine, great interior and very well equipped in the Ltd model. Exterior is different, but special. For as large of a car as the Flex, the gas mileage is pretty good.

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  Most fun car out there - 2009 Ford Flex
  By sty - December 30 - 11:00 pm

  It reminded me of those "Woody" surfer wagons. Its a perfect combination of all the electronics you can want, plus cargo space. We have an infant and two Jack Russells, and sometimes pack bikes. Traded an Infiniti FX that was loaded and this was 10K less but had virtually everything the FX had, except for the V8. What it did add was space, a retro cool look, the great SYNC system. This was my first American car in 30 years and I would have to say Ford is now up there with the Japanese and Germans. The only option I laid off was the 760 dollar refrigerator, opting instead for a 5 dollar cooler. Great roof windows, too.

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  The (Seemingly) Perfect Vehicle - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Troy1969 - November 15 - 2:00 pm

  Wow! What a vehicle. After shopping almost 12 months for a new vehicle I chose the Flex. Other alternatives were a used 2007 Cadillac SRX, the Buick Enclave, the Honda Pilot, and the Toyota Highlander. The Flex was the best vehicle. It rides better, handles great, and gets great MPG for its size (Im averaging 19 MPG City and 26 MPG on the highway!). Sync is great but Verizon (and Sprint) wont let me use the text feature. Hopefully Ford will work this out with the mobile phone dealers. The quality of the interior is impressive and even on par with the hand-crafted SRX interior. The Pilot had way too much road noise and the Highlander, compared to the Flex, felt disconnected when driving.

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  Very Happy - 2009 Ford Flex
  By New Car - October 8 - 4:56 pm

  After looking at crossovers over the past several months, narrowed it down to Flex limited and Mercedes R350. Went with the Flex and could not be happier. Larger feel in the interior, an many more features at a much better price. Also like not having to put in premium! Very happy

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  I love my FLEX - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Leisel24 - September 16 - 12:36 pm

  I love it I needed something bigger than our fusion, Our fusion was good for our family just starting out but with us wanting more kids it doesent work for more than two kids. Our FLEX can hold the hole family and keep the kids apart so no fighting on long road trips. we can take one car with our friends instead of everyone taking separate cars. If we need to haul anything we put all the seats down and can haul almost anything.(a good selling point for my husband) I dident want to be the soccer mom with the mini van and bumper stickers all over the back. its just not me.I dident want a huge SUV that I couldent park. Im 25 I want something young stylish and fun, but practical. The FLEX isit

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  awesome car - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Troy d marriott - August 28 - 9:22 am

  I bought my flex in 2009 new. I have traveled all over the United States with it for work. It has never been wrecked. It has 335,600 miles on it. The only things I have done to it besides regular upkeep is a new fuel pump and water pump. I still drive it. Im thinking it will go another 300,000 miles .. best ford I have ever driven.

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  From a Mini Van to a FLEX - 2009 Ford Flex
  By MEM - March 28 - 12:03 am

  This is the first American Car I have ever purchased and I am tickled Flex! I traded a Toyota Sienna Mini Van & have never looked back. The only thing I thought I *might miss are the sliding doors but it turns out the Flex doors are so wide its easy enough for the kiddos to get in and out. People stop and ask me about it wherever I go because there arent many out there. I def think the white roof on colored body makes it! This purchase was supposed to be for my hubby and yet in the end, I won. He loves it so much that we are thinking about buying a second Flex with a few less options. There is not one thing that I dont like about this car.

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  This is a great way to go - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Family Man - March 2 - 4:33 pm

  Very nicely laid out interior. very Spacious with easy entry and exit from all seats. Even my mother in-law (a very large woman) said it was easy to get into and out of the passenger seat and the second row. Did not attempt the third row thankfully. Decent acceleration and stopping is also good. This is not a race car after all but a family transporter so set your expectations correctly and you wont be disappointed. The sound and video systems are excellent! Usually do not even consider a Ford. I am converted.