2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD

This was my first time in the Flex. Great interior. I like the perforated leather seats, the subtly applied wood trim, and the generally elegant ambiance. I fiddled with the new entertainment screen only briefly, but it appears to be a first-class design. The engine sounds coarse but actually delivers pretty decent acceleration. More so than additional power, I would like to see more refinement from this powertrain. The six-speed automatic works well. The second row is comfortable, and ingress to the third row is fine, although the frame of the vehicle is a bit high in the door opening, and there's a higher step-over than you'd find in a minivan. That said, I could sit in the third row for a spell without whining. One complaint: the rear wiper sweep covers only two-thirds of the window, and it's offset to one side, which is weird. Overall, this seems like a viable alternative to a minivan for a family with one or two kids. Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor