2012 Ford Flex

The 2009 Ford Flex is unlike anything on the road today — both inside and out. Sure, it has a boxy body similar to the Scion xB, and it cops the Mini Cooper’s two-tone roof scheme. But with its hulking, low-slung stance, sleek side grooves and unique black-on-black “greenhouse,” the Flex cuts a distinctive profile. And then there are all the little luxuries on the inside: generous second-row seating, an elevated “theater-style” third row, an optional refrigerator and a full complement of Ford’s best tech, including Sync, a new navigation system with a built-in hard drive and SIRIUS Travel Link.

Model Lineup
The Flex comes in three flavors — SE, SEL and Limited — each available in either FWD or AWD. Even the base SE trim comes with amenities aplenty: a reverse sensing system, Ford’s new capless fueling system and a keyless entry pad that’s embedded in the driver’s-side B-pillar. The base version rolls on 18-inch painted aluminum wheels and rocks to an AM/FM/single-CD/MP3 six-speaker audio system.

The SEL edition adds cool chrome accents on the beltline, door handles and fog light bezels, in addition to 18-inch aluminum wheels and heated exterior mirrors. Interior upgrades on the mid-level trim include first-row heated leather seats, a woodgrain appliqué gracing the instrument panel and door trim, and a premium Sony audio system with 10 speakers, a six-disc CD changer and SIRIUS satellite radio.

Stepping up to the Limited package brings more bling: a satin-aluminum appliqué on the liftgate, chrome “skullcaps” on the power-folding and heated side mirrors, chrome scuff plates, LED taillights and 19-inch polished aluminum wheels. Interior appointments on the top trim include adjustable pedals with memory, second-row footrests, perforated leather seats, ambient lighting, wood inlay and Ford’s popular Sync system (which is a $395 option on the SE and SEL trims).

Under the Hood
The mill used throughout the model line is a 3.5-liter 24-valve Duratec V6 with advanced variable-cam timing. The powerplant produces 262 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. Power is transferred to a 6-speed automatic transmission that, according to Ford, has a wide span of gear ratios to provide aggressive acceleration at the low end and help the engine sip fuel while in overdrive in 6th. Fuel economy is rated at 16/24 mpg (city/hwy) for the FWD models and 17/22 for the AWD versions. The Flex floats on independent MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent suspension in back.

Inner Space
In the same way that the exterior of the Flex is unmistakable, the interior also stands apart. This is noticeable before you even get into the vehicle: The door sills are integrated into the bottom of the doors not only for easier ingress and egress, but also to help keep water, dirt or mud from soiling a pant-leg or skirt. The interior also includes several Ford firsts, starting with completely new driver and front-passenger bucket seats that are standard on all models and feature integrated bolsters.

The Flex’s second-row seats offer what Ford bills as “business-class comfort,” with over 60 cubic feet of passenger volume and 44.3 inches of legroom. The second-row, three-passenger 60/40 split-bench seat is standard across the line, and captain’s chairs with either a walkthrough or a center console are optional. The second-row seats fold and tumble for access to the third row, which is slightly elevated to give those in the way-back a better view. As an option, a button added to the C-pillar automatically folds the second-row seats into the floor.

The interior offers lots of subtle but stylish touches befitting an inventive design: a center stack finished in satiny sliver-metallic, an elegantly simple instrument panel and chrome accents on the shift knob, door pulls, air vents and cupholder rings. The Flex also offers loads of cutting-edge tech including Sync, and the new SIRIUS Travel Link system that provides real-time traffic, gas prices, weather info, movie times, sports scores and more, plus an optional refrigerator for the second-row center console.

On the Road
We had a chance to drive a fully-loaded Flex Limited AWD through some of the swankiest communities of Los Angeles — the epicenter of the see-and-be-seen car scene. With the Dark Ink Blue Metallic Flex turning the heads of jaded Los Angelenos, we stayed appropriately aloof in the ultra-quiet interior and on track with Ford’s next-gen nav system, which also features a 10 GB hard drive that can hold about 150 hours of digital tunes. And with the optional fridge stocked with water, we needed to stop only for the occasional bathroom break.

On city and suburban streets, the Flex felt confident and poised, and on the freeway the V6 powerplant had no problem passing rubbernecking road mates. The ride was relatively smooth and the steering responsive. But when we took the Flex up into the twisty coastal canyons it was challenged by its bulk. The engine groaned up the steeper grades and body roll on the sharper turns had us stabbing the brakes lest we test a guard rail. And coming down the mountain we had to ride the 4-wheel disc brakes (with ABS) instead of downshifting, since the automatic offers only a single low setting to slow the Flex.

Our obvious conclusion: The Flex makes for a great city cruiser and highway people hauler, but performance-wise it’s proportionately challenged.

Right for You?
The Flex gives curbside credence to Ford’s “Bold Moves” bravado by purposely provoking a love-it or hate-it reaction. With its singular style inside and out, the Flex can’t be called a me-too vehicle. Ford noted at the press launch event that the Flex shares a strong bloodline with the stalwart family station wagons, which have a strong nostalgic pull for baby boomers. But the iconoclast crossover could just as easily appeal to a younger hip-hop and club crowd, although with the SE starting at $28,295 and the LTD reaching $34,705, the admission price will likely limit access for the latter.

As a people mover, we think it hits a sweet spot between bland minivans and super-size SUVs, and it has more ‘tude than your typical crossover. But with gas prices going through the roof, Flex buyers are going to have to vastly value style over fuel economy to go for a vehicle with an MPG rating that dips into the teens. But if you need a car that can comfortably accommodate up to seven passengers, there are few that can do it with the style and substance of the new Ford Flex.

Doug Newcomb has been writing about automotive-related topics since 1988. His work has appeared in Consumers Digest, Road & Track, Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal and many other publications. His book Car Audio for Dummies is available from Wiley Publishing.

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