2010 Ford Flex
Has Ford Reinvented the Station Wagon?
Ford says the Flex “dares to be different.” There’s no question about that. This vehicle is definitely not a minivan, and it is not exactly an SUV either. In some ways, it reminds me of an old-time station wagon. Ford calls it a “Crossover, ” but however you define it, the Flex is polarizing—people either like the look or hate it.
The Flex is a boxy, slab-sided design, but with a number of interesting styling cues. The nose features Ford’s signature three-bar grille. The top is available in white or silver. The greenhouse area is black, and the body can be a third color. The doors have four horizontal grooves, and there are more decorative grooves on the tailgate.
The interior is very roomy. Ford designers hollowed out the interior door panels to convey a sense of spaciousness. Head and legroom are ample. Second-row passengers have limo-like space to spread out. The third row isn’t bad either, and is easily accessed with the power-folding second-row seats. An optional Panoramic Vista roof delivers more light to the rear passengers, via fixed glass panels. The 20-cu-ft cargo area behind the third row seat features a storage well that will hold grocery bags upright. With second and third rows folded, there’s 83-cu.-ft of cargo space.
The cabin is also attractive and well finished. My Flex SEL test car impressed me with its classy-looking leather seats. I also liked the way Ford combined woodgrain and brushed silver trim around the dash and doors. And, the soft-touch materials on contact areas, like the armrests, provided a luxury feel.
Ford offers an interesting assortment of luxury options on the Flex. Buyers can choose a voice-activated navigation system that includes Sirius satellite radio, which in turn, provides real-time traffic data. A backup camera also projects an image on the nav screen when you engage reverse. Additionally, there’s the Ford’s SYNC system that provides hands-free control of iPods and cell phones. However, the most novel option, available on the Limited model, is the console refrigerator between the two back seats. It can cool seven cans of soda in just a couple of hours.
The Flex comes standard with a 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 that develops 262 hp. However, for 2010, buyers can now opt for the more powerful Ecoboost 3.5-liter V-6, which pumps out 355. Both are teamed with six-speed automatics. Ecoboost engines, like the one in my test car, use twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection to deliver 93 more horsepower. Yet, the Ecoboost delivers the same gas mileage (16 mpg City/22 mpg Hwy) as the Duratec. The only downside to the Ecoboost is that it comes only as part of a $3050 package.
When I got behind the wheel of the Flex, the largeness of this vehicle really hit me. It’s nearly 17 feet long, and close to seven feet wide. If you have been driving a big SUV or minivan, you probably won’t notice the difference. However, if you are more accustomed to a midsize vehicle, it might take some time to get used to, especially when parking.
On the road, the Flex is quiet. Wind noise and road rumble are kept well in check. The ride quality with 20-inch wheels (part of the Ecoboost package) was slightly firm, but not uncomfortable. But the steering left something to be desired. It conveyed very little feedback to the driver, and felt vague. Yet, he Flex negotiated corners without excessive body lean.
Flex pricing starts at $29,335 for the SE model, 32,100 for the SEL and $37,995 for the Limited. Flex SEL and Limited models are offered with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Ecoboost models come only with AWD.
Snapshot Review:
Distinctive Styling
Spacious Interior
Ecoboost Power
