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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  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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  Serious issues! - 2016 Ford Flex
  By Marie - September 4 - 3:00 am

  I have always loved Ford. We have owned an Expedition, 2 different F150, F250 and now the Brand new 2016 Flex. I will never again buy a Ford. I have been broken down 5 times in the first 6,000 miles. The car suddenly losses the ability to accelerate, very unsafe. First time it happened I tried restarting the car but it didnt help. I had ford roadside tow the car to the nearest dealer. I was told by that dealer they see it has a code, the throttle body was the problem. But when they test drove the next day it accelerated fine. Which ment they wouldnt be allowed to fix it by Ford motor company unless it continues to happen. I called the dealer we bought it from. They were very kind and said they would order the new throttle body and to keep driving the car. I was told it would be best for the warranty if it continues to happen. Well today my car broke down 4 times!! After the 3rd power loss I tried to have it towed to the dealer that already had a part on order. However I was told it had to go to the nearest Ford. I was so upset I hung up and decided to try to make it home to have my husband follow me to the dealer we were already working with. I was driving past the nearest ford on my way home. So I stopped and explained the problem and that I felt unsafe driving. I was told they couldnt take the car for repair if another dealer already ordered parts, they also said they were not able to help me get it to the other dealer maybe 20 min away. I was told to drive it on back roads and that it shouldnt keep happening. Well I tried but when it broke down during rush hour for the fourth time only a few miles down the road. I had the car towed to the dealer that had ordered the parts. No new car with 6,000 miles should break down 5 times! No car company should the car must to go to the nearest dealer and when it gets there refuse service. Parts are back ordered for weeks but I wont be driving that car. It is an accident waiting to happen. Shame on Ford!! It also has problems with the suspension, it will be getting looked at for that for a third time! They can hear the problem with the suspension but cant find it. I hate my flex. Worst car I have ever owned. Horrible service from manufacturer. We had isseus with past cars but Ford was always amazing and took care of any problems. Not sure what has happened to ford, but I wont be buying another ford. And I hope their lemon doesnt cause my family to get in an accident! Buyer be ware!!!

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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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  First American Car - 2009 Ford Flex
  By brian numkena - July 12 - 2:06 pm

  This is my first American Car (I bought Nissan and Toyota in past), so I hope the quality is better than my parents Grand AM (ruined my view of American Cars). The Flex rides smooth, looks nice and manuavers the road well. So far I average about 23 MPG, a disappointment comming from driving a Scion XB at 28 MPG. I bought for more room and safety issues when driving from Arizona to Californa. I have to say it is impressive, but then again I like to buy the base models because I dont want to pay for repairs of the electronics if they break. I hope my Ford Flex lives up to the quality standards Ford has been claiming. If it doesnt then this will be the first and last American car I buy.

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  Real Solid Vehicle - 2009 Ford Flex
  By JLC - May 25 - 9:33 am

  With two young kids and a few more nieces/nephews we can carry/haul all we really want to with this car. So far the car has been a delight to own. We feel very safe riding/driving in it. Id recommend (with one stipulation - see improvements) it to anyone. All-in-all though it really is a good solid vehicle.

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  This is a well built vehicle. - 2009 Ford Flex
  By cpd - April 15 - 12:16 am

  I have owned my FWD Limited for three weeks now but have already put 1500 miles on it. I traded my 2002 530 BMW for this vehicle because I wanted a vehicle that that had more rear leg room for the kids and the sports stuff they need to haul around. The first time I got behind the wheel it was like, I cant believe this is a Ford, the fit and finish is first class and it is quieter than my old BMW. The interior space is limo like, no more kids complaining about leg room. The vista roof is awsome but I will miss using my roof top cargo carrier( no roof rails with the large glass panels, if you are traveling with more than four, there is not much room behind the third seat. Highy recommend

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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.