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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  AWD SEL Grey Flex - 2009 Ford Flex
  By G - January 22 - 10:38 am

  Ford has a nice vehicle here and I hope they realize it. Its sharp looking and has huge space! We get alot of looks and questions. People cant believe its a Ford. I only wished we brought the Limted model. We were looking at the Enclave and Acardia but this won out.

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  follow up - 2009 Ford Flex
  By chuck - November 25 - 8:22 am

  Follow up to my former review. Problems fixed now brakes are grinding. Dealer says that this is has been a problem, Guess I should have leased instead of buying.

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  Flex/Box - 2010 Ford Flex
  By willbeblood - November 22 - 11:03 pm

  Just purchased, so that being said... Love it at this point. I did not want it, the wife did. I would have loved to have picked up a Sequoia but with all the toys it defeated the purpose of saving some $$ This ride is tight. Somebody gets it at Ford. Not the aesthetic dept. but engineering team did some homework. Things are where they should be and they work. The paddle shifters are a great feature to snap you out those times you see yourself driving by a window. Handles great, breaking you feel that youve got some weight behind you. Coming from an H2 its a little better but close. NAV system and voice rec. is very good, parking assist is really cool. If your a Mac, its a Mac.

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  front end sounds - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Judy - October 28 - 11:47 am

  I bought my flex in August have heard a noise under the front of the car occasionally since. It sounds like the brakes are going out & the rotors are rubbing.Sometimes feels like it grads a bit when i put the brakes on. I had it looked at once so far they say nothing is wrong. I will keep checking. I traded in a 2006 expedition fully loaded for a simplier model to help on mileage and overall money expenses. I love it I only miss the 4 wheel drive. I do have an issue with the little panels behind the door handle on the interior of the car. they have popped off three times so far. Seems a bit cheezy.I do not like the headrest angle doesnt work well for short people makes my head lean forward.

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  Nice but a few problems - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Chuck - October 1 - 8:48 am

  At first we thought the vehicle was great but as time goes on I noticed that the ride was alot harder than my previous Jeeps. I know everybody raves about the smooth ride but I cant get used to the hard ride in this vehicle. Also there is a rattle coming from the steering wheel when going over bumps, I think it is the horn button. Overall it is a good car and except for the hard ride and the rattle.

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  Good but already some problems - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Jason - September 21 - 6:58 pm

  Within 1500 miles of driving off the lot, our Flex started making a high pitch sound out of the back of the car. It can be heard about 30 ft away and recently has grown loud enough to be heard within the car [if the radio is off]. When we took the car in to be fixed the dealer told us that it was the fuel pump. They called Ford and Ford told the dealer that the pump it is within the fuel pumps specs to make a high pitch whistle - so tough luck. As mentioned before, the whistle is growing louder, so maybe when our ears start to bleed Ford may change their mind, until then I tell everyone who asks how much we regret the purchase.

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  Fit and finish need attention - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Jeff - September 21 - 4:50 pm

  We sold our 2006 Sequoia to purchase the 2010 Flex to haul our 5 kids. We were attracted to the styling reminiscent on the 60s wagons. The 6 cylinder is peppy and a good compromise between power and economy. Upon closer inspection, however, the fit and finish off the car are low for the price. We have owned the car 2 weeks now and already a rattle developed in the headliner around the sunroof 9clip came loose), the lower door weather strip (5 foot long plastic extrusion) on the passenger side fell off while driving and the chrome strip below the passenger side came loose. Door alignment is terrible and there is a huge blob of body sealant in the jamb at the top off the rear hatch.

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  One Year - 25000 Miles. Need I say more? - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Country Cruiser - July 31 - 2:13 pm

  Purchased car as we moved away from our family. Since have put almost 25000 miles on the car. Issues to date: Cracked passenger A pillar cover, chips from the flat frontal area. Pros: -Great to drive across country. -No DVD player, but use computer w/ 110V outlet and male-to-male 3.5mm audio cord to watch movies with sound system. -Sirius is nice, but a pain to pay for. -Sync works well. -Navigation is better than anything out there. Cons: -Like driving a boat. -No telescoping steering wheel. -No cooled seats. -Gas mileage is so-so. -Luggage space with 6 persons is tight. Overall, satisfied with build quality and features. Just wish it could drive without me steering sometimes!

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  Didnt want a van again - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Ron - June 26 - 9:16 am

  My first new car in many years. Ford has raised the bar. This big safe car does many things well. It is smooth and quiet, with good acceleration. I wish it had a telescoping wheel, because at 6 4", I can move the seat back so far that the steering wheel is almost out of reach. I like the ease of folding the back seats down. It has a ton of room with them folded (not a minivan though) I added a back-up camera/gps system to my SE and it really helps backing up. Tall seats hold you in, make turning around to see difficult for me comfortable though. Solid highway drive. Dont drive with windows openoverpressure will drive you nuts. Mileage c. 20 in town, 25 hwy. Not great, but pretty good.

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  Pros and Cons Ford Flex - 2009 Ford Flex
  By a david - June 22 - 11:01 am

  Have had it about 1 month just finished a long trip down to Iowa and back. Here are my thoughts. Pros: Enormous amount of interior room esp for legs and head at all sitting positions. Boys love the ability to sit in diff places comfortably. AWD worked flawlessly in driving thunderstorm on highway. MPG better than expected ~23MPG @ 75mp. Rides and steers nicely. Have towed a popup camper and gear with no problems using factory tow package. Concerns: Needs telescoping steering wheel, adjustable headrests - no excuse Ford! Finding a comfortable drivers position can take time. Cannot buy a standard roof rack w/o factory rails. Door skins curve under car, probs w/paint chipping on gravel?