Trust us on this one: Ignore the snarky comments about the new Ford Flex looking like a refrigerator on wheels. Instead, go spend some quality time with this midsize minivan alternative and we think you’ll agree it’s pretty…ahem…cool.
Beneath the Flex’s sleek, slab-sided exterior is a 262-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a smooth six-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive. This powertrain, combined with a relatively low center of gravity and well-tuned suspension, actually give the Flex a much higher fun-to-drive factor than you’d expect from a major appliance.
As much as we liked driving the Flex, it’s the spacious interior that really makes it stand out from the competition. There’s generous head and leg room for passengers in all three rows thanks to second-row seats that slide fore-and-aft. Add options like those on our test car—including rear-seat skylights, a DVD video entertainment system, and a second-row console that doubles as a five-quart refrigerator/freezer—and you may have to flip a coin to decide who gets to ride in back.
Put it all together and we think the Flex is every bit as practical as any minivan or crossover on the road. And a whole lot cooler.
Strengths:
Roomy, quiet interior
Perfect scores in tough IIHS crash tests
Tons of cargo room with rear seats folded
Weaknesses:
Can get pricey with options
Funky design may not be for everyone
Bottom Line:
Look beyond the boxy styling and you’ll find one of the best crossover vehicles on the road.
83.2 cu. ft. (behind 1st row)|43.2 cu. ft. (behind 2nd row)|20 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row)
Headroom
Front: 41.8 in.|Second Row: 40.5 in.|Third Row: 38.7 in.
Legroom
Front: 40.8 in.|Second Row: 44.3 in.|Third Row: 33.3 in.
Seating
7
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive|All-wheel drive
Engine
3.5L V-6
City mileage
16/22 (AWD)|17/24 (FWD)
Highway mileage
Fuel capacity
Fuel requirement
Regular unleaded
Horsepower
262-hp @ 6,250 rpm
Torque
248 lbs.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm
Towing capacity
4,500 lbs.
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Wheels
17-in.|18-in. |20-in. |19-in.
Options
All-wheel-drive system
20-inch alloy wheels
Towing package
Power sunroof
Second-row bucket seats
Refrigerated second-row console
Navigation system
Rearview camera
Rear seat DVD video entertainment system
Safety features
/*Antilock Brakes:*/|Standard /*Brake Assist:*/|Standard /*Electronic Stability Control:*/|Standard /*Traction Control:*/|Standard /*Multistage Front Airbags:*/|Standard /*Side-Impact Airbags:*/|Standard /*Side-Curtain Airbags:*/|Standard /*Active Front Head Restraints:*/|Not available /*Height Adjustable Shoulder Belts:*/|Standard /*Safety Belt Pretensioners:*/|Standard /*Center Rear Shoulder Belt:*/|Standard /*Childproof Rear Door Locks:*/|Standard /*Daytime Running Lights:*/|Not available /*Tire Pressure Monitor:*/|Standard
Standard features
/*SE:*/
Front foglights
18-inch alloy wheels
Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
Rear window wiper/washer
Power-adjustable outside mirrors
Rear window defroster
Air conditioning
Cloth upholstery
Power-adjustable driver’s seat
60/40 split-folding second-row seatbacks
50/50 split-folding third-row seatbacks
Keyless entry
Cruise control
Outside temperature gauge
Power windows
Power door locks
Tilt-adjustable steering column
Carpeted floor mats
Steering wheel audio controls
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Leather-wrapped shift knob
AM/FM/CD stereo with 6 speakers
Auxiliary audio input jack
/*SEL adds:*/
Power-adjustable heated outside mirrors
Automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
Heated front seats
AM/FM/CD stereo with 12 speakers
Six-disc CD changer
Satellite radio
/*Limited adds:*/
Xenon headlights
19-inch alloy wheels
Power rear liftgate
LED taillights
Memory feature for driver’s seat/outside mirrors
Power-adjustable pedals
Power-adjustable front passenger’s seat
Leather-wrapped and wood steering wheel
Sync hands-free communications system
Warranty
/*Bumper-to-bumper:*/|3 years/36,000 miles /*Powertrain:*/|5 years/60,000 miles /*Corrosion:*/|5 years/ unlimited miles /*Roadside Assistance:*/|5 years/60,000 miles
