If you are looking for a large crossover vehicle that can even handle some heavy towing, the Ford Flex is what you need. This unmistakable box shaped crossover's shape caries on in the interior to offer an amazing amount of head room. The seating in the flex offers more interior leg room than most of its competitors and still manages to pull off a very stylish design. The flex does offer a small setback with its design when trying to back into parking positions, but with the optional backup camera this is not an issue.
The Flex offers a very smooth and comfortable ride for all of its passengers, which makes up for any other shortcomings it may have. This is a great vehicle for long family trips or solo drives across the county. The inside of the Flex offers many extras and is very well equipped at any trim level. If you are interested in using this vehicle to tow, it can carry up to 4,500 pounds which makes it a very functional utility vehicle by any standards.
The Range
Bodystyles: SUV
Engines: 3.5L V-6, 3.5L turbocharged V-6
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic
Models: SE, SEL FWD, SEL AWD, SEL EcoBoost, Limited FWD, Limited AWD, Limited EcoBoost
What's New
The big news for the 2010 Ford Flex is the addition of the powerful EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V-6. Additionally, the Flex receives the Active Park Assist self-parallel-parking system as an option on range-topping Limited models.
Exterior
Flex SEL and Limited models get white roofs and body-color mirrors. Wheel options go from 17 inches on SE models to as big as 20 inches on the range-topping Limited. EcoBoost models get separate dual exhausts.
Interior
Depending on configuration, the Flex can sit either six or seven, though taller adults will find the third row to be cramped. Cargo capacity ranges from 20.0 cubic-feet to a whopping 83.2 cubic-feet.
Performance & Handling
The Flex is not the most agile vehicle, but when fitted with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 with 355 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, it will move with surprising urgency. Even the base engine, a naturally-aspirated version of Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 262 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque doesn't labor when moving the Flex's two-and-a-quarter tons except in extreme conditions.
Safety
The Flex received 5-star crash safety ratings from the NHTSA from all four positions thanks partly to its compliment of six standard airbags. Stability control and four-wheel ABS are standard as well.
EPA Fuel Economy
SE, SEL FWD, Limited FWD: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway
SEL AWD, SEL EcoBoost, Limited AWD, Limited EcoBoost: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway
You'll Like
- Roomy interior
- EcoBoost power
- SUV-like towing capability
You Won't Like
- Steep pricetag
- Hefty curb weight
- Boxy styling not for everyone
Sum Up
Best box you can buy
If You Like This Vehicle
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Mazda CX-9