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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Great Car - 2009 Ford Flex
By Edwitski - May 23 - 2:22 pmDrives great! Very comfortable! Have had very few problems with the car. Very reliable and comfortable. Great to travel in! Still doing a great job for us!
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What a transporter! - 2009 Ford Flex
By RM - March 26 - 9:33 amWonderful vehicle that keeps getting better. This vehicle is very quiet on the road especially on the highway. Speed control best I have ever used. The transmission is truly flawless. The ride is well controlled and steering precise. I have owned many high marque brands including BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, and a VW Phaeton. Ford has done a tremendous job with this vehicle. Presently averaging 23 mpg with city and highway miles. Anyone interested in a people mover/ luxury drive not so full of pomp but great fun to drive should check this vehicle out.
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Functional - 2009 Ford Flex
By Vicki Viloria - February 17 - 9:31 amThe Flex is a reliable car. Ive owned my Flex for over 7 years and had minimal problems.
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Flex is great - 2009 Ford Flex
By Joe - February 2 - 2:23 pmTraded in 05 Navigator and now save $225/month in gas. While we will miss the Nav this car is pure fun. Weve had it for a few weeks now and no less than 20 people have asked us about. Too cool!
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Beautiful & highly capable SUV! - 2009 Ford Flex
By Adam Kessler - January 31 - 3:12 pmI really love the Flex in so many ways. Its above all else comfortable and very attractive in my honest opinion. Mileage is much better than most full size SUVS. After can you tell me the last time you could get 26mpg in a 7 passenger vehicle. This one has... unfortunately like most things I own my Flex been sabotaged by our rogue government and others. Ive owned it for about a yr and put just over 20k mile on it. I do however miss the ground clearance and bed of my pickup for motorcycles and other extra large items. What else, it can tow a decent trailer as well and has a large trans cooler that goes all the way across the front end. For an extra large vehicle it actually handles confidently. Would I buy it again yes as long as I had a truck too.
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Ex Ford Hater - 2009 Ford Flex
By Chuck from Kansas - January 20 - 10:56 pmI will start by saying that I am a retired automobile salesman. (28 yrs) I have own many new/used cars, mostly foreign. My wife picked the Flex, I reluctantly went along with it. After an 8 week wait for our ordered Flex, it was finally here. It was well worth the wait, and I believe it will certainly change my opinion of Ford products. We ordered a FWD limited with Nav. The Nav system will do everything but cook lunch for you. The SYNC system is surprisingly simple to operate. The second row legroom is outstanding. This car, in my opinion, is a much smoother, quieter ride than the 07 Toyota Sienna we traded in. Dont know about the mpg yet, but should be as good or better than Sienna.
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Very Fun Vehicle - 2009 Ford Flex
By Jon Grant - November 8 - 1:03 amWow! I am so pleased with my new Flex. My family needs a lot of room and seating capacity. Our last vehicle was a 1994 Ford conversion van. We were looking for vehicle with better gas milage. Our van gets 12 mpg around town. We drove a lot of other SUVs and crossovers. They were all the same. I drove the Flex and was immediately impressed with the excellent layout and comfort of the interior. Ford has alot of really cool stuff like SYNC and free Sirius service for 6 months. I was suprised how much seating room the Flex has even in the third row. But the styling of the exterior makes me grin every time I look at it. I cant express how happy I am with my Flex, I highly recomend this vehicle
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Fords great cars - 2009 Ford Flex
By Mel Hiller - March 31 - 8:10 amEvery thing about Ford Flex Limited is exceptional. It looks huge but is actually no longer, maybe wider by inches than my 2006 Freestyle SEL. I love the way it handles and so quiet!
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Love my Flex - 2009 Ford Flex
By flexdublin - March 16 - 6:33 amI just love my Flex. Got my Flex a short two weeks ago and people cannot stop talking about it at the gas station, the store, and work. People just love it and so do I. So much room and the ride is so smooth. If youre looking for a new car, drive the Ford Flex. You will love it .
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Slick Ride - 2017 Ford Flex
By Cee Ford - March 13 - 6:48 pmPrevious car was a 300 Sedan...which was very low to the ground..like being up for visibility and safety. NEVER owned a Ford before, Flex is the only vehicle that even appealed to me...I must say so far Im pretty happy. Fuel economy not the greatest and the engine seems a bit small for the large body..but havent tried to climb any mountains yet. More technology than I will ever use. Missing that refrigerated console that was discontinued but extremely roomy and the Multi Vista Sun Roof is really desirable.
