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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  Windshield - 2009 Ford Flex
  By claris - September 14 - 7:49 am

  I have to agree with the other reviewer, I have had my Flex 1 month and have had the windshield crack 2 times! We were only going 20 miles an hour the last time. We dont live in rocky area and we were not going fast either time. Seems like some sort of defect in the glass, I have never had this happen before. I feel like my insurance co is going to start thinking Im doing something shady! :) When we picked the car up at the dealer the Vista Roof glass was cracked and had to be repaired so technically we are on our 3rd glass repair in a month. We love the car other than that.

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  Flexing my flex - 2009 Ford Flex
  By jason weatherly - September 13 - 3:47 am

  Our dreams came true when my wife and I adopted our 4th child making us a family of six and too big for our vehicles. We always thought that the Flex was beautifully stylish so here was our chance to be practical and stylish with one vehicle. We now have plenty of room with style and comfort showing on everyones face!

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  Drive a Flex and You will buy it, I did! - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Randy from Quad City - September 12 - 7:05 am

  We love this car! We test drove the Flex and that was all it took to say "well buy it!" Our last car was a Toyota Avalon, but the Flex simply is a better ride. My wife and I are getting older so we wanted comfort, which the Flex excels at for both short trips around town and long trips when we visit our grandchildren 300 miles away. We use the built in Travel Link to check Live Weather Radar, Gas station prices and local movie listings! Cool! So many people have stopped us to ask about the Flex and told us they love the look! Even the 20 something bank teller at the drive through this week. Definitely a head turner with the white roof! Our friends all want to drive our car!

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  Ford is Rising - 2010 Ford Flex
  By SS Lover - September 9 - 12:45 pm

  Flex is a my first Ford since 1981. As you can see my display name, Ive been a loyal GM customer. T-Blazer SS(me), Caddy Escalade(my wife), Impala SS and HHR SS(my two college daughters). My first impression was WOW. This Flex is really well made car: good power from ecoboost engine, huge leg room for 2nd raw seats, very good audio system and excellent Nav & Sync system. Fuel economy was also impressive too. I drove about 300 miles on highway.(with about 170 lbs of luggage) Trip computer showed 24.8 mpg between 65-70 mph and 22.4 mpg between 75-80 mph. better than what factory spec says. Only thing Ford need to do is prove reliability. Time will tell.

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  Love our Flex - 2009 Ford Flex
  By First time Ford - September 8 - 9:12 pm

  We have been driving VW (she) and Audi (he) product for over 10 years now. We had our first baby and needed a lot more room for passengers (Mom & Dad, Grand-Ma & Grand-Pa plus baby),The Flex caught our eye we loved the styling and pricing. The interior lighting is VERY cool, the seats are VERY comfortable, the cabin is quiet the AC is cold and strong. Have limited AWD with white roof / cinnamon body. I was disappointed to see the overspray of white paint when open rear hatch, no telescopic steering wheel. Overall, we think we will drive this Flex for many years, and will likely purchase another one when the time comes. Vista roof is a must. Cargo area (rear seats folded down) carpet not great

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  Falling in love is so easy to do - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Gee Man - September 7 - 12:36 am

  Love at first sight? Nah, quite the opposite. But that were it starts, rather than ends. Its somewhat analogous to the smirk you received when you caught the eye of a beautiful girl, who later falls head over heels in love with you. Neither of you saw it coming. Experiencing the Flex is a discovery of why, as teenager, you wanted to get behind the wheel and drive. Why? Because it was fun! Lots of fun. Thats the Flex. Fun, fun, fun. Fords competitive advantage in the area of electronics shines through like a stoic lighthouse in the darkest of night! Theres enough technical features to satisfy even the most ardent technophile. As Fords tagline emotes, Drive One.

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  Ford hit it off real good... - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Vinnie - August 14 - 6:29 pm

  This is a must ....We love our Flex,,,This car is smooth driving and great in handling not to mention how much room it has on the inside...Leaving for vacation in 2 weeks and we are really looking forward taking the Flex with all the room in it for 5 people we will all be very comfortable for the ride.

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  Still loving it - 2009 Ford Flex
  By chuck from kansas - August 12 - 9:28 am

  Wrote my first review 11/08 when Flex was first purchased. Flex (Ford) has made a believer of me. I am a retired automobile sales representative and sold and drove imports.(Honda,Toyota, Nissan). Without hesitation, I would put the quality, reliability and ride of Flex against any of them. I keep looking to find some small flaw, but so far-nothing have shown. I couldnt see any way the Flex could have been improved, but Ford managed to do it with the 2010 Flex. I have never in my life been so impressed with any one car. P.S. I sold and drove the imports for almost 30 years.

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  Great Family Car - 2009 Ford Flex
  By westwood mom - August 10 - 1:09 pm

  Have had this vehicle for two months and very happy. A big improvement over our Acura MDX (which it replaced) in terms of comfort, smoothness of ride, and gas mileage (about 2 mpg better).

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  10 months and still in love - 2009 Ford Flex
  By hrm - August 7 - 7:12 pm

  We have had our flex for 10+ months and are still thrilled. The ride is amazing. We have taken two vacations in this car and it is extremely comfortable. I feel very connected to the road in this car and never feel the wind as opposed to my previous 4Runner that was difficult to handle in the slightest wind. People still are stopping me and asking me about this car. Easily average 26 mpg on the highway and 18 around town. Fit, finish and performance are still flawless. I am very proud of FORD!