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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Shockingly pleasant to drive!!!!!!!! - 2009 Ford Flex
By Gotchagain - October 24 - 5:33 pmI went from a GM minivan to this Flex. What a difference! Not that I didnt like my old Montana Van. It was just that my mechanic had it more than me! The first time I seen a Flex I laughed and thought what a weird looking car! Then I sat in it.... I knew then I was going to have to find something terribly wrong with it to convince myself that it wasnt the one to buy. So I took it for a test drive. Fortunately I was able to take it overnight to test the headlights out too. I do alot of night driving and the headlights are very important for me. To make a long story short, I tested over 11 crossovers/suvs from 4 manufacturers, and the Flexs ride, fit and finish, and style was the best!
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I love it - 2009 Ford Flex
By Mike R - October 21 - 10:50 amFord Flex rides as smooth as a luxury vehicle. Interior is thoughtfully appointed and the electronics are fantastic. I love Sync, Sirius, and travel link. Blows my friends away when i demonstrate it.
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FLEX mpg combined 22! Very Nice. - 2009 Ford Flex
By Rob Penlas - October 16 - 1:46 pmFlex legroom is awesome all 3 rows. 22MPG Combined with 4500 miles on vehicle. Extremely happy with mileage and comfort of FLEX.
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My new Ford Flex - 2009 Ford Flex
By rgurta - October 15 - 6:43 pmI am very impressed with all aspects of my red Ford Flex SEL. It is very roomy and the quality is outstanding. My only cons on this vehicle is that I find my front seat headrests to be very uncomfortable and that the two second row captain chairs need armrests. The sync radio with bluetooth hands free cell phone features are a real plus. I can not get over how many people have asked to see my car and how many heads it turns when being driven. It is hard to believe that the dimensions on this roomy vehicle is almost identical to my 2005 Ford Freestyle. I am getting better than 20 miles to the gallon so far in mixed driving conditions.
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Never thought Id own a Ford - 2009 Ford Flex
By Lovin my Flex - August 13 - 12:30 amI wasnt convinced on Ford cars/trucks or SUVs so I did my homework and Ford is comparable to Toyota and Honda as far as reliability. I love how the style is unique and different. I get excited knowing there arent that many of them on the road. We took a road trip the day after purchasing the Flex and it was so much fun discovering all the cool things the car has to offer. It is a lot of fun to drive and its great that my husband wants to drive my car now!
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$3,000 repair for a 2012 with 70 thousand miles - 2012 Ford Flex
By dan - July 22 - 8:42 amThe engine completely blew on the car and had to be replaced, at a cost of $13,000. The car still had $18,000 left on the loan and was blue booked at about $21,000. Ford dealer said that since I was late on an oil change (by about 4 thousand miles), that caused the failure. They said when they went to drain the oil, it was thick and black and that is what caused the engine to fail. I said BS, the engine, in the process of failing, CAUSED the oil to become black and thick, because there is NO WAY that missing one oil change by only a few thousand miles can cause anything close to that kind of damage. Bottom line: I paid for the new engine then DUMPED (sold) the POS as fast as I could. I have had great experiences with Ford trucks going back to the 90s. I think this may have been simply a LEMON, but the dealer didnt give a crap. Believe it or not, I replaced the Flex with a 2015 F150 with ecoboost engine ... well see how this goes. The AWD transfer case (part of the transmission) fails on these cars! Cost $1,600 (with labor, the part is about $1000) to replace it ... that is IF they dont find other issues due to RUST on the parts that have to be removed to replace the transfer case. In my case: the right side control arm had to be replaced because they could not get the ball joint to release, so the ball joint got ruined in the process AND since Ford in its quest to save FORD money has front control arms with the ball joints built in and not replaceable means that bottom line: ball joint (a $20 part) fails, you end up buying a $200 control arm and paying $100 in labor to change it. So now we are at $1,900. Next is the passenger side turbo charger .. it is located forward and low on the engine and has no protective covering or anything to protect it from the elements, so it RUSTS - badly! It has to be disconnected to replace the transfer case. The mounting flange and bolts rust so bad that they break when attempting to remove. Now we are buying a new turbo charger at $586 plus $560 in labor! So NOW, the cost of replacing this transfer case is a whopping $3,046!! My advice: if your Flex is going over 60,000 miles GET RID OF IT!!
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Happy Customer - 2009 Ford Flex
By Tink - May 22 - 1:23 amThis car is great, we searched high and low and we found nothing that had as much style, comfort and interior size. Beyond all that it is very cool, incredible retro look, great sound system and well designed nav/data system. I have already had the misfortune of being in an accident, I was smashed almost head on by a VW. The other car was destroyed and I barely felt anything. I was stunned at how hard a hit this car took (the police officer was very impressed) and I was still able to (sadly) drive it to the shop. We are not easy to please but the Flex did what Audi, Volvo and Honda were unable to do - make us very happy customers!
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Great Choice! - 2009 Ford Flex
By SCMom - April 21 - 4:56 amI LOVE my Flex! We looked at a lot of crossovers and the Flex beat them all by far. The options are wonderful!
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Love It...except... - 2009 Ford Flex
By Tracy - March 16 - 9:00 pmI love this car! I love the looks I get when I drive it, given that there are not a lot of them on the road yet. It was hard trying to get a SEL model with AWD, which I definitely wanted. Im a former Pacifica drive, which I loved and probably would have kept driving if they were still being made. I was not able to find an AWD Flex with everything I wanted (had to get an after-market DVD installed) but all in all, I like it.
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2012 Flex with 55k miles - 2012 Ford Flex
By Browder.ba@gmail.com - January 31 - 10:14 pmWe have had the car for one year, the only reason we bought it was because my wife and I had twins. Well 55k miles into the car and only 4 years old and the rack and pinion has to be replaced. Its not covered under the powertrain warrant so my wife and I are out $1k. Thanks Ford POS. Ill never buy one again. The car wasnt cheap to start as its a limited. Ive NEVER owned a car that has needed a major repair like this that had less than100k miles.
