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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  Another Great Flex - 2011 Ford Flex
  By charliedee - April 20 - 8:37 am

  I purchased an 09 Ford FLex Limited in 2009. Made the mistake of trading for 2011 Ford Explorer. Ok car, but wasnt what I had expected. Kept it 2 months, trade back for a 2011 Ford FLex Titanium. Ah, yes, back to my good ole Flex again. My 2009 Flex is the ONLY car that I have ever owned that was problem free. I am confident that my new one will be the same.

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  Very Pleased!! - 2011 Ford Flex
  By flexfield - April 4 - 9:45 am

  Just bought the 2011 Ford Flex Limited last week and loving it! This is the first Ford I have ever purchased and I am very impressed! It has a lot of features and options of higher end luxury cars and suvs. Love that the limited comes standard with Nav, premium sound, back up camera, heated seats, power driver and pass. seats, and HID headlights!! One thing it has over others...SYNC! Still figuring it out, but it is pretty nice to have! The ride quality is superb so far after the first 250 miles and the V6 stands up when you need to mash the pedal. Rear passenger leg room is VERY spacious and comfortable, especially with reclining the seat!

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  Head rest a failure - 2011 Ford Flex
  By bootsboy - March 17 - 8:59 pm

  The head rest pushes against the back of your head. Guess the ladies are really going to appreciate their hair-do being redone. They claim its a "safety" feature. Bull. Its a bad design. Mercedes & Lexus dont re-do your hair for you nor poke you in the back of your head, and they are no slouches in the safety department. This is just a lousy design.

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  Already Replaced Left Turbo - 2010 Ford Flex
  By kjhgr01 - January 27 - 6:44 pm

  I had to wait 3 months to get my Flex built. Steel Blue with Black Charcoal leather. So far so good. I would never think I would own a Ford. I owned many Honda & Acura and one Volvo. I always despite the Ford products because of safety issues. I never felt more safe in that box! The front brakes are kinda weird when humidity is high or wet. I average about 18 - 19 mpg with the A/C on, and about 20 - 21 mpg when A/C is off. At 22500 miles I had to replace the left turbo (leaked oil), an A/C line and a radiator shroud (technician broke it while trying to reassemble the turbo.) I have been using Mobil 1 full synthetic oil since the 2nd oil change. Fortunately my Ford dealer is nice.

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  Great at first, Then just plain aggervating. - 2009 Ford Flex
  By big_d1 - January 12 - 7:39 pm

  Tons of room, decent power and very comfy. With about 100 miles the Sync system stopped working 4 trips back to the dealer until figured out. 8K The Rack & Pinion went bad and the car spent 3 days in the shop getting repaired. 10K terrible odor from under the dash (dealer couldnt replicate). 14K SMOKE from under the dash, took it straight to the dealer "we saw the smoke but couldnt find a problem" 16.5K Car lost all electrical power (incl PS/PB) with my wife driving So she pulled to the side of the road and it got towed to the dealer. If they tell me there is nothing wrong, Im getting a Venza.

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  How do you spell relief? F-L-E-X - 2010 Ford Flex
  By larbo - December 9 - 10:03 pm

  We have owned our Flex SEL since April 2010. We wanted to replace our 2007 Buick Terraza because it was a "hangar-queen". We had never owned a Ford product. We were skeptical because of the boxy look, but it has quickly grown on us. It is a cool looking vehicle. We have not taken it back to the dealer for anything except to rotate the tires. I have changed the oil twice myself in 8200 miles and it does not use oil. In the suburbs we get 19.2 MPG and on the highway we can get up to 26 MPG. We love it. It is reliable and the Sync System with Navigation is awesome.

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  We love it! - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Anonymous - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Purchased our Flex in April 2010 and love the car. Ride is awesome. Contrary to some reviews, we have had good gas mileage on highway trips 24.5 and around town 19-20. My brother in law came over to check it out when we brought it home and within a week he had one in his garage also. We have had a problem also with a squeaking dash on a hot sunny day with the a/c on vent. Goes away when switched to floor. Dealer cant duplicate it, but has not given up. Will try again next summer. We did have a problem with the front brakes, but they also promptly took care of it. Love the looks of the white top and the fact that it can haul 7 people and still look cool. Its a keeper.

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  So far, so good. - 2010 Ford Flex
  By WarsaWonder - December 4 - 2:00 am

  The number one reason I bought a Ford product and the first time I saw the Flex on the road, I thought it was unique. This vehicle is the surprise of my life. My wife wanted a seven passenger vehicle and the Flex had all my options and room--plenty of room for seven good sized adults. The gas mileage is extraordinary. Since the day I brought the "Bus, bus, magic bus" home I have averaged 22.6 mpg. AND...it is quicker to 60 mph than my Porsche Cayenne S. What more for this auto can you ask? The only accessory I am apprehensive over is the self-parking feature. I still dont trust it to park itself for me.

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  Sync / Nav Issues - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Marty - November 25 - 2:00 am

  I will drive all over the state, entertain clients and move equipment cases of about 40-60 pounds each. The fold flat seats are great except that after only 15,000 miles I noticed that the carpet surface of the cargo floor is wearing out. My dealer is replacing this surface. The bigger issue is the Nav system.It only holds 50 names in the address book. This seems to be great example of very old technology my previous $200 Garmin could hold thousands of address. I use my car as a mobile office and visit new clients all the time, now my sync nav cannot hold any new addresses. Syncs built in calendar is useless to keep appointments as you can not enter any data. Sync is not very hi tech.

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  Comfortable and Quick - 2010 Ford Flex
  By William Miller - November 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car to replace a 2000 Expedition. We needed room for three grandsons riding along with Papa and Grandma! The boys love their individual moon roofs (weve made several trips through the airport). Its extremely comfortable, and the versatile seating is great for shopping from groceries to home improvements. It handled a 5-person bowling team plus luggage & 10 balls with power to spare. We had a small issue with defective weatherstripping on the drivers door which was promptly replaced. We also had brake problems which were a design flaw and has been remedied. Overall this car has been a big hit with the entire family.