2009 Ford Flex SUV Road Test Drive

When I first saw the Ford Flex as a concept at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show (where it was introduced as the Fairlane concept) I must admit that I didn't get it... Flex has evolved from a puzzling concept into an interesting, appealing, clever and fresh take on the crossover class… First, the Flex looks great. Turns out there's nothing "over the top" about it, even though its key individual design elements (the grooved side panels, the aluminum-look hatch, the straight lines, wrap-around lights, the prominent grille) may seem risky.

Competing against the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and the like, not to mention GM's crossover quartet (GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse) the Flex is a whole new take on the conventional family vehicle -- a new-age Taurus X, if you prefer. But unlike the latter, the Flex makes everyone, and I mean everyone, turn their heads.

Flex Suv (or is it a wagon?) is powered by Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain delivers 262 hp horsepower at 6250 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm with fuel economy numbers on par with other full-size crossovers. Flex also offers optional intelligent all-wheel drive. The 2009 Ford Flex goes on sale in summer 2008. It will be manufactured at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.

The Flex's look at once captures everything good and romantic about American cars while eschewing the bad and the boring... As a people carrier it's equal parts brilliant and flawed. Brilliant: the doors that wrap around the lower sill, making ingress easy for the old, the feeble and the short; the four sunroofs; Sync; Ford's new SatNav system, which just became the best on the market; the driving position that's the perfect compromise between sedan and SUV; the incredibly quiet interior.

Flawed: the third row seats are tiny, much smaller than a Buick Enclave's; the doors don't slide; Ford's 3.5-liter V6 mated to this 6-speed auto is still the worst combination on sale today, delivering neither performance nor economy. It's equally flawed when considered as an emotional purchase.










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2009 Ford Flex SUV Specs, Features & Photos

The hit concept vehicle of 2005 - the Fairlane Concept - achieves production reality in the all new 09 Ford Flex mid-sized crossover. Based on the Fairlane Concept, the 2009 Flex joins the Edge and Taurus X in Ford's utility vehicle lineup as a full size crossover, seating six or seven depending on seat configuration and with enough flexibility to accommodate a variety of passenger and cargo needs.

Flex Suv (or is it a wagon?) is powered by Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain delivers 262 hp horsepower at 6250 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm with fuel economy numbers on par with other full-size crossovers. Flex also offers optional intelligent all-wheel drive. The 2009 Ford Flex goes on sale in summer 2008. It will be manufactured at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.

The exterior of next generation Flex carries over the concept's upright stance, strong shoulders and prominent wheel arches as well as the distinctive machined character lines on the side panels. Designers maximized the vehicle's width and integrated the rocker panels into the doors to eliminate the need to step over the rockers when entering the vehicle.

Inside, the Ford Flex features modern materials and soft panels on touch points. The instrument panel is set low to provide optimal visibility to people in the front's captain's chairs. The second row of seats comes in either a 60/40 split second row bench, or captain's chairs with a walkthrough aisle or an optional second row storage console. Second row seats fold and tumble or fold flat for added cargo space.

Third row options include a single bench or 50/50 split bench which can fold flat for additional cargo. For hauling cargo, an optional power liftgate accommodates items up to four-feet wide resting on the third row armrests.

The Flex brings innovative options to the market like a console mounted refrigerator and multi-panel vista roof. The refrigerator is compressor-driven, meaning that unlike the competition it not only keeps contents cold, but can actually cool down warm beverages.

The vista roof is divided into three specific areas - a traditional power moonroof for front seat passengers, two individual openings over each second row seat and one large opening over the third row.

Technology highlights include programmable ambient lighting, Ford's next-generation navigation system and the Ford Sync hands-free communications system.

Ford's exclusive second-generation keypad system debuts on the Flex, giving passengers the ability to unlock the doors, disarm the alarm system and disable auto-lock functions by entering a five-digit code. Flex also features Ford's new capless fuel filler technology that seals the opening until the fuel pump nozzle is inserted.

The 2009 Flex's chassis was engineered to deliver a quiet car-like ride while at the same time offering towing capacity up to 4,150 pounds. Interior noise is minimized with sound deadening materials like a six-millimeter thick windshield.

09 Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/27/2008

2009 Ford Flex Trims	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge
2WD SE 4-door wagon	$28,295	$26,707	$700
2WD SEL 4-door wagon	$32,070	$29,859	$700
AWD SEL 4-door wagon	$33,920	$31,543	$700
2WD Limited 4-door wagon	$34,705	$32,256	$700
AWD Limited 4-door wagon	$36,555	$33,940	$700

09 Model Specifications (specs)

2009 Ford Flex Wagon Specification	Ford Flex 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in.	117.9
Overall Length, in.	202.3
Overall Width, in.	79.9
Overall Height, in.	67.6
Curb Weight, lbs.	--
Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	83.2
Standard Payload, lbs.	--
Fuel Capacity, gals.	--
Seating Capacity	7
Front Head Room, in.	41.8
Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.8
Rear Head Room, in.	40.5
Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	44.3