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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  2010 Ford Flex - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Ashley - June 1 - 4:01 pm

  Such a great car! I own a 2010 flex limited and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else! Pushing 245k still going strong it’s spacey and comfortable a great family car!

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  Flex Facts - 2011 Ford Flex
  By Craig - January 7 - 5:45 pm

  Be prepared to love it.

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  WORST CAR I EVER OWNED!!! - 2009 Ford Flex
  By Tim Chouinard - December 30 - 9:59 pm

  I have been buying Fords for quite some time now but I have to say this car has completely turned me off to Ford. I bought the car as a 2 year old lease return. THANK GOD, I had the sense to get the extended warranty. I paid an additional $2,000 for it and it has literally paid for itself 4 times. I have had to replace practically every component of the underbody of the car Bearings, Springs, steering column (twice), Tie Rods, both tail light housings at $550 apiece (not covered under the warranty), heat stopped working on passenger side. The list goes on. And the car doesnt even have 100,000 miles on it. I am literally picking it up at the dealership tomorrow and it is going right to another dealership where I am trading it in for a Grand Caravan. GOOD BYE!!!!!! Dont buy this car!!!!!!!

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  Wife loves it kids hate it - 2013 Ford Flex
  By Mark - December 27 - 6:56 pm

  Car is wonderful, except third row seat is cramped and hard to access.

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  Love my Flex - 2012 Ford Flex
  By Flex Girl - November 14 - 8:13 pm

  Purchased a pre-owned Flex 2012 with 29,000 miles. I have had a lot of cars and this by far is my favorite! Prior to this I was driving a full size suburban. The transition to the Flex was easy! It drives smooth the leather seats are like butter and so comfortable. The only thing I wish they had changed was the very back seats need to fold all the way forward and down.. its kind of strange how the cargo space is on top of the seats. I would have preferred more room. Still I would totally by another Flex. Plenty of passenger leg room. We have the flex with captain seats in the 2nd roll and I love that. Great stereo with plenty of Sony speakers great rear air! The gas mileage is around 19.5 around town which is better then my burb. The highway is around 23..........no complaints!

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  Flex - 2015 Ford Flex
  By Byron Schaeffer - November 3 - 11:39 am

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  Engine replaced at 109,000 - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Jim Olive - October 26 - 6:30 pm

  The ecoboost is not perfected yet. Very nice ride for comfort.

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  All was great a month ago. - 2010 Ford Flex
  By Jjulian - October 7 - 3:21 pm

  A month ago, this review would have been all stars. We bought this car because of the room. Our 15 yr old son of 6ft. 5in could sit in the middle seat with ease and comfort. Considering the size of the vehicle, the gas milage is good. I have actually gotten up to 30 mpg a few times on the hwy. We also had a family member who owned the same model and began having the gas tank drop to completely empty at around 60 miles till empty, while our vehicle had no such problem...till a month ago. I was driving down the road, 65 miles till empty then "ding" goes the warning, zero miles till empty. I freaked. This has happened 3 more times since as I wanted to test if it would repeat. Now I dont let it get below 100 miles left before I refill the tank. This is scary and a safety issue.

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  wheel alignment - 2015 Ford Flex
  By A E Thompson - October 6 - 9:44 am

  good car... first tires lasted 47000 miles. New tires at that time, had a four wheel alignment @ $79.95. One year later w/54444 miles we are told we need another rear wheel alignment...Is there a problem with the car (wont hold an alignment) or is someone looking for a free lunch? Having been an auto tech ( Ford and independent) for a number of years my experience has shown me there may be some cars with parts problems that would require the alignment be checked more often. Without this problem an alignment should hold longer than 7500 miles. Has anyone else had this same problem?

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  Liked the flex until it tried to kill my family! - 2015 Ford Flex
  By MarciaT - August 17 - 10:20 am

  Was looking for a large, safe family vehicle to replace my minivan that was totalled in Feb of 2015. Found the ford flex. Loved the size, comfort and technology! Hate the gas mileage!! Ford should be ashamed of themselves! If my minivan gets 30mpg on trips - so can the flex! It gets 17!! 17 mpg - pathetic! Anyway - on Thurs Aug 13, on a vacation with my kids in the smoky mountains and the steering starts acting a little strange. No lights or warnings. Stopped to check power steering fluid and figured out its electrical - no fluid! We called 2 ford dealers and were told its fine and get it checked when we get home. Was told there is 1 recall on fuel delivery module - thats it. We continued our day and on the 2nd largest mountain on the entire east coast- Clingmans Dome - the power steering warning lite comes on. It bongs 5 times and BOOM - NO POWER STEERING. None! On a huge mountain. Took all my husband had to wrestle it away from a guard rail - avoid traffic and stop it so we didnt dive off the cliff!!!!! 2 1/2 hours to get a wrecker to bring us off the mtn! 2 traumatized kids that dont want to drive in the flex ever again! 2 hour drive to the Knoxville airport to get a one way car rental because locals wont do a one way rental. Do you know what Ford corporate says??? We would like to say that cars come off the assembly line perfect - but - they dont. Thats why theres a warranty!!!! Are you kidding me?? We could have died - LITERALLY! Will they reimburse me for the car rental? NO. Will they help me get my car back? No! I have to get out of work. My husband must get out of work. We must drive 3 hrs- each way- to get the car. Asked why they dont care that the car almost killed us? No response. Asked if they would be upset if I went on tv to warn others. They said sorry you feel that way. He will call me next week to see if we got the car back. DONT BUY A FLEX! DONT BUY A FORD! I used to like fords! My kids and I will never buy another Ford vehicle! They should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!!!!!